Below is what some of our various members and community leaders are saying about ATB:
“As a small business owner and an active Associate member of Arizona Transportation Builders Association, I would like to take the time to thank the Executive Director, Ramon Gaanderse and Executive Assistant, Yvette Pederson for their support and hard work that makes this association (made up of engineers, contractors, subcontractors, public agencies, suppliers and vendors) such a wonderful community to be a part of!! Ramon and Yvette have made ALL members feel welcomed, heard and appreciated. I have seen this association grow and has become stronger and I contribute that growth and strength to leadership that Ramon brings to the table as well as his intelligence and keen interest in the members needs in our industry on a city, county, state, and national level.” – Jenn Escarcega, Miura Contracting
“I wanted to take this time to knowledge the hard work and dedication of the team from Arizona Transportation Builders Association. It has been a true pleasure to be involved with a very professional and organized association like ATB. With the strong leadership of Executive Director, Ramon Gaanderse and Executive Assistant, Yvette Pederson. ATB is and will be the driving force for our local industry needs. ATB has a strong partnership in place with local support from all valued associate members with the “Best in Class Practices” in mind. I have seen the true value and positive results first hand. ATB’s future is bright and second to none. I look forward to the future challenges to come, with confidence our voice will be heard at a local, state and federal level. ATB is paving the way to make a positive difference in our transportation and infrastructure needs. I sincerely appreciate your efforts. Keep up the good fight.” – Armando Gonzales, Titan Machinery
“On behalf of ARTBA, I have dealt with nearly three dozen of our chapters around the country on a daily basis for almost ten years. The new leadership at ATB – including the officers, Ramon and Yvette – has done an outstanding job of strengthening the association in recent years, as well as renewing the relationship with ARTBA as your voice in Washington, D.C. On my visits to Tucson, it has been obvious that these dedicated leaders have raised ATB’s profile and voice in Pima County, Phoenix and DC. The association is professionally-managed and stays in close contact with numerous government agencies, elected officials, coalition partners, and the members themselves. We have never been more proud to have ATB as one of our affiliates, and look forward to working together on behalf of our members.” – Rich Juliano, American Roads and Transportation Builders Association
“ATB since 2011 has been more focused on the issues that concern our industry. ATB Members and the Associates are more united to confront issues or be involved with decision making. ATB is represented on several committees throughout the State and beyond with a strong Director and Member leadership. All ATB Members and Associates can bring their view point and they will be heard. Fundraising for our Scholarship and Volunteer Day continue to grow. Giving back to our Community is just one part of ATB leadership in the Construction Industry.” – Tim Schutte, Earhart Equipment
“As a past-President and current ATB/PAG/AGC Committee Co-Chair, ATB is the premier industry organization in Tucson and Southern Arizona. ATB is genuinely unique and has long been recognized as the organization in which Contractors, Public Agencies, Material Suppliers and Vendors can work together to solve problems. I believe what sets ATB apart from most other organizations is the commitment of the members and the ATB Staff. ATB is a no-nonsense problem-solving organization where you really “reap what you sow”. ATB can be proud of a long list of accomplishments, but none is more important than the leadership ATB provided in developing a community wide coalition of industry and business to pass the Regional Transportation Authority in 2006. While the RTA has provided a much needed infusion of capital for infrastructure investment, one of ATB strategic initiatives will be to address long term funding of infrastructure projects which has been a priority for the Executive Director. I would also be remiss in not acknowledging the dedication and passion of our Executive Director, Ramon Gaanderse, during his brief but productive tenure.” – Bill Mackey, Granite Construction
“I want to personally express my gratitude to ATB, its leadership, and membership, for being an early supporter of Proposition 409, which is allowing the City, to provide $100 million of major arterial and street improvements to the citizens of Tucson. When others doubted, the leadership of ATB stood up, did the right thing, helped formulate some of the significant strategies that led to the Proposition’s success, like the creation of the Citizen Oversight Committee, and changed the dialogue in our City. The vote was close and without ATB’s support I don’t know that we would have crossed the finish line. Again, thank you.” – Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, Tucson
“I greatly appreciate the role ATB plays in regional transportation issues. A safe, efficient and cost effective transportation network is essential to our region’s growth and prosperity. ATB’s leadership and members are actively engaged in the issues that affect both our industry, and the regional economy. ATB’s continuing advocacy for the RTA, and its efforts to increase awareness of the growing transportation funding gap are particularly valuable. ATB and its members can always be counted on to assist us in our mutual efforts to improve the quality and cost effectiveness of the infrastructure improvements our community depends upon.” – Jim DeGrood, Regional Transportation Authority
“ATB is again leading efforts to improve the infrastructure in southern Arizona. ATB’s Executive Director, Ramon Gaanderse, has the membership of contractors, engineers, suppliers and local agencies as a united voice for improving the quality and efficiency of our transportation network. Through communication and collaboration at the local, state and federal levels, ATB is a group that does not sit on the sidelines waiting for something to happen; they are in the forefront making a difference. I have always felt ATB has been the trade organization in southern Arizona to make things happen and I see them continuing to do so going forward when our region, more than ever, needs additional funding for improvements.” – Matt Clark, Psomas
“We were initially impressed with ATB because of the level of participation by contractors in the Tucson community. ATB brings together contractors, suppliers, engineers, utility companies, and municipalities in a way that fosters communication, a stronger construction community in Tucson and ultimately, a better product for the citizens. I’ve lived in several other states and have not seen a contractors’ organization that is as active, or as beneficial to their local region. Through helping non-profits with the yearly volunteer day, increasing construction safety through regular safety meetings, providing scholarships to local high school students going on to college, and much more, ATB is active in quietly working to improve our city.” – Jay Alexander, SAECO
