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The Intertribal Transportation Association (ITA) Selects a New President
On December 5-7, 2023, the Inter-Tribal Transportation Association (ITA) held its Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. Among the many important topics on the agenda was the nomination and selection of 2024 regional representatives, Treasurer and President. Representatives from across the nations 12 BIA regions held their caucuses during the morning session, to make their nominations. By the end of the morning session Mr. Chris McCray was selected as the new President of ITA.
Mr. Chris McCray is a Pawnee Nation tribal citizen and currently serves as the Manager for the Pawnee Nation Department of Transportation & Safety and Infrastructure Taskforce. He is also the volunteer Assistant Fire Chief/Instructor and EMT, with 20 years of service. He has been in the transportation field for 23 years, 12 years with the Pawnee Nation. Mr. McCray is also the Southern Plains Representative and serves as the Vice Chairman of the Tribal Transportation Program Coordinating Committee (TTPCC), also as the Vice Chairman of the Oklahoma Tribal Transportation Council (OTTC) and a representative on the Oklahoma Tribal Advisory Board. Mr. McCray continues to demonstrate a commitment to maintaining and improving transportation infrastructure and public safety by using efficient and effective innovative ideas as well as advocating for the progression of equity in Indian Country.
Outgoing ITA President, Mary Beth Clark, highlighted “Equity for Tribal Transportation” for this year’s annual meeting and noted the purpose of ITA is to advocate for legislative and policy development, discusses funding and regulatory issues, and represents the shared interests of tribal transportation programs across the nation in promoting the continued advancement of transportation initiatives in Indian Country. President McCray thanked the outgoing President and stated, he welcomes the challenge of the position and looks forward to continuing to carry the torch moving forward. The 2024 ITA Leadership includes President Chris McCray, Vice President Gerry Hope, Secretary Twyla Blanchard, and the newly elected Treasurer Brenda Whalawitsa, with the Colville Confederated Tribes Department of Transportation.
The annual meeting closed with discussions on the next Transportation Bill, proposals of 2024 ITA objectives and closing comments. It was also determined, by the representatives, to keep the annual meeting in Las Vegas during the first week of December. President McCray stated he” looks forward to the coming year” and that “Together we can plan, build, and maintain infrastructure through innovative ideas and methods to the growth of our Tribal Nations."
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