ITD’s Sablan Earns Idaho’s First Fellowship from National Group

BOISE, Idaho (News Release) – Kevin Sablan, Idaho Transportation Department state design/traffic services engineer, has been awarded a 2016 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) fellowship.

Starting March 28, he will spend the next year in Washington, D.C., working on engineering and transportation policy issues. Sablan is Idaho’s first AASHTO fellow in the 15-year history of the program. He has been with ITD since 1999.

“I’ve a lot of work to do here (at ITD) which is my only reservation about this, but it appears to be a great opportunity and a great benefit to the department, not to mention professionally for myself,” Sablan said of the appointment.

Sablan was submitted as a candidate for the appointment in mid-December, was interviewed in early February and selected as one of three AASHTO fellows nationwide Feb. 18.

The fellowship will give him the opportunity to interact with engineers, transportation professionals and policymakers from across the country, and make contact with colleagues from other state DOTs. AASHTO will benefit from Sablan’s "front-line" expertise and practical experience in formulating technical documents and policy positions related to association business.