BATON ROUGE, La. – Zahir "Bo" Bolourchi, Director of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development’s (DOTD) Public Works and Water Resources programs, was named incoming president of the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) at the association’s 2011 National Dam Safety Conference.

               Bolourchi and past president John Moyle will serve on ASDSO's 2011-2012 Executive Committee, along with President-elect Jason Campbell (Illinois), Treasurer Jim Gallagher (New Hampshire), Secretary Tom Woosley (Georgia), and ASDSO Executive Director Lori Spragens.

               Upon his election by a unanimous vote of state representatives in attendance (one representative from each of the 50 states and Puerto Rico), Bolourchi commented, “This coming year, with the support of the Board of Directors, I am prepared for new challenges associated with the state of the economy as we continue to make sure our dams are safe.”

               ASDSO is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to improving dam safety in the U.S. Its mission is to advance and improve the safety of dams by supporting the dam safety community and state dam safety programs, raising awareness of dam safety issues, and creating a unified community of dam safety advocates.

               This year’s national conference was held in National Harbor, Maryland, attracting more than 1,000 attendees, including state and federal regulators, engineering consultants, contractors and suppliers, researchers, students, and others from the U.S. and several other nations. Highlights of the opening general sessions included reports from the outgoing president John Moyle (manager of the New Jersey DEP Dam Safety Section), American Society of Civil Engineers Government Relations Director Brian Pallasch, and keynote addresses by Ohio Congressman Steven C. LaTourette and Major General Merdith W.B. (Bo) Temple, Deputy Chief of Engineers and Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

               The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is committed to delivering transportation and public works systems that enhance the quality of life. In addition to more than 16,600 miles of roadway, including over 890 miles of interstate, DOTD supports the development of the state’s aviation, marine and rail infrastructures. Through this work, we are able to facilitate economic development, create job opportunities, improve vital evacuation routes, and make critical freight corridors safer and more efficient.             
               For more information, please visit www.dotd.la.gov, email dotdcs@la.gov, or call DOTD’s Customer Service Center at (225) 379-1232 or 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683). Business hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Motorists can access up-to-date travel information by dialing 511 or by visiting www.511la.org. Out-of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511).

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www.dotd.la.gov