TDA: On The Go Podcast

Conversations, news and legislative updates. We promote the vitality and safety of Wisconsin's transportation system, including highways, public transit systems, public-use and general aviation airports, railroads, commercial ports, and roads.

TDA On The Go 54 - Checking In At The Appleton Airport 04/01/2024

TDA On The Go 54 - Checking In At The Appleton Airport What a difference four years makes! In the latest On The Go episode, Debby Jackson speaks with Abe Weber, director of the Appleton International Airport (ATW). These two last chatted on the podcast in May 2020, in the early days of the pandemic when the future of air travel was uncertain. Over the past four years, Appleton International Airport has experienced a significant surge in passengers. Weber attributes the growth to pent-up demand, the return of business travelers, and airline partners' introduction of new routes at ATW. They also discuss the airport's expansion and the ATW team's commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/30627323

TDA On The Go 53 - New Maps, New Opportunities 03/01/2024

TDA On The Go 53 - New Maps, New Opportunities Brian Fraley, president of and owner of Edge Messaging, again joins TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson on the On The Go podcast. In this episode, Debby and Brian cover the timely topic of Wisconsin's new state legislative maps. The two chat about what we know and what we need to learn about the new maps and the potential opportunities for grassroots groups like TDA. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/30186258

TDA On The Go 52 - Riding The Rails 02/07/2024

TDA On The Go 52 - Riding The Rails Scott Rogers, the vice president of governmental affairs at the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, joins TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson on the latest On The Go podcast to talk about passenger rail. Scott and Debby discuss the economic benefits of passenger rail for the region and the recently announced federal grants to study passenger rail in the state. Jackson also takes the opportunity to get tips for long-distance train trips from Rogers, a longtime train traveler. Notes: Email: (MoDOT) (HSR Alliance) /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/29810523

TDA On The Go 51 - Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson 01/10/2024

TDA On The Go 51 - Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson, serving as the 2024 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) president, joins TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson on the On The Go podcast. Thompson talks about the department's work and accomplishments during his five years at WisDOT and the plans and priorities for the year ahead. They also discuss his priorities for AASHTO and what he has learned about the transportation challenges states face - the similarities and differences - by working with his colleagues in other states. Safety is an integral part of Thompson's objectives. Jackson and Thompson also touch on transportation funding, including states' progress on a longer-term solution for shoring up lost gas tax productivity. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/29429098

TDA On The Go 50 - The One About The TDA On The Go Podcast 12/11/2023

TDA On The Go 50 - The One About The TDA On The Go Podcast It's episode #50 of TDA's On The Go podcast! The microphone is turned in this special episode as Dan Deibert of Edge Messaging interviews TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson. Debby looks back to the first On The Go episode recorded in February 2019. She shares the original inspiration behind the podcast, recollects some of her favorite moments, and looks to future topics. On The Go continues to share incredible transportation stories across the state, thanks to supporters like you. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/29025993

TDA On The Go 49 - Meet Patrick Vander Sanden 11/27/2023

TDA On The Go 49 - Meet Patrick Vander Sanden Patrick Vander Sanden, who assumed the role of executive director of the Wisconsin County Highway Association (WCHA) earlier this year, joins TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson on the latest On The Go podcast. Patrick explains the plans and priorities for his organization and shares some of what has surprised him since he assumed his new role. He also emphasizes that he looks to collaborate with other stakeholders to further transportation in Wisconsin. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/28816398

TDA On The Go 48 - Airports and The Wisconsin Airport Management Association 08/08/2023

TDA On The Go 48 - Airports and The Wisconsin Airport Management Association Wisconsin's airports are integral to the state's economy and generate significant economic impact for the communities where they are located and the regions they serve. Two Wisconsin aviation experts join TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson on the latest On The Go podcast to talk about Wisconsin aviation, the Wisconsin Airport Management Association (WAMA), and the upcoming Wisconsin Aviation Conference. Listen in as Rachel Engeler, assistant airport director at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport and President of WAMA, and Jim Schell, director at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and Vice President of WAMA, share their aviation insights and knowledge. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/27695997

TDA On The Go 47 - The 2023-25 Transportation Budget and what is next. 07/24/2023

TDA On The Go 47 - The 2023-25 Transportation Budget and what is next. The recently signed 2023-25 state transportation budget includes some significant investments throughout the system. In this episode of the On The Go podcast, TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson talks with Steve Baas, executive director of the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, about what’s in the 2023-25 transportation budget and what’s next. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/27530577

TDA On The Go 46 - TDA's "Drive-In" Recap 06/01/2023

TDA On The Go 46 - TDA's "Drive-In" Recap Last month, TDA held its Drive-in at the State Capitol in Madison. Approximately 75 TDA members, including representatives of business, industry, local government, transportation advocates and trade unions attended a morning seminar and then groups visited the Capitol to share legislative priorities with lawmakers and staff. In this episode of the podcast, TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson speaks with a few of the attendees who share their thoughts on the importance of the Drive-In, and the state of transportation infrastructure in Wisconsin, overall. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/27013020

TDA On The Go 45 - Transportation and Wisconsin's Agricultural Industry 04/19/2023

TDA On The Go 45 - Transportation and Wisconsin's Agricultural Industry Agriculture is big dollars and a key driver of Wisconsin's economy. It's no secret that the condition of the state's roads, bridges and culverts, and posted weight restrictions, impact whether the industry can safely and efficiently transport agricultural products to market. In this episode of the On The Go podcast, TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson talks with Jason Mugnaini, executive director of governmental relations at the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, to discuss agriculture, transportation, and a legislative proposal to create an agricultural road improvement program at WisDOT. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/26593608

TDA On The Go 44 - Bringing Discretionary Grants Home to Wisconsin 04/11/2023

TDA On The Go 44 - Bringing Discretionary Grants Home to Wisconsin At the 2023 TDA Fly-in to Washington, DC, there was much focus on the discretionary grants in the federal infrastructure law and the need to bring a fair share of those dollars home to Wisconsin. In the latest On The Go podcast, TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson speaks with Rob Krejci, the highway commissioner for St. Croix County, about these funding opportunities from a county's perspective. Rob shares how a trio of Wisconsin counties — St. Croix, Dunn, and Eau Claire — partnered and successfully worked with the USDOT to obtain a $500,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) action plan grant. This plan will unlock future implementation grant opportunities. Rob hopes other counties and municipalities will benefit from what they learned during the application process. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/26509227

TDA On The Go 43 - Budget Season is Underway 02/23/2023

TDA On The Go 43 - Budget Season is Underway Governor Tony Evers has submitted his 2023-25 State Budget. What’s in it? Why does it matter, and what’s next? TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson sits down with political communications consultant Brian Fraley, the President of Edge Messaging, to discuss items of interest to those concerned about Wisconsin’s transportation infrastructure. They also explain how individuals can make an impact on the budget process. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/26025003

TDA On The Go 42 - The CP Holiday Train 11/28/2022

TDA On The Go 42 - The CP Holiday Train The Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train returns with its approximately 170 free, in-person shows after being virtual in 2020 and 2021. The train will roll through Wisconsin from December 8th through the 10th. This holiday tradition dates back to 1999 and brings live, family-friendly music to large and small communities along the CP system. Each year, the Holiday Train raises money, food, and awareness to address the issue of food insecurity. CP makes a donation within each community where the Holiday Train stops and asks attendees to bring a cash or non-perishable food donation if they're able. Andy Cummings, a spokesman for Canadian Pacific Railway, speaks with TDA's Debby Jackson on the latest On The Go podcast about the exciting return of the in-person CP Holiday Train and the holiday magic this train brings to the cities and towns along the route. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/25107381

TDA On The Go 41 - Roundtable Wrap-up 11/12/2022

TDA On The Go 41 - Roundtable Wrap-up TDA was on the road in October holding a series of five regional transportation roundtables across the state. TDA and local partners hosted community leaders, legislators, and candidates in Eau Claire, Appleton, Richland Center, Pewaukee, and Wausau. Our goal was to reconnect and restart a conversation about transportation in Wisconsin after the pandemic. During our travels, we heard about regional accomplishments, opportunities, and challenges. In our latest On The Go Podcast, you will get a quick overview of the spirited discussions at these meetings. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/24988131

TDA On The Go 40 - Northern Grain Belt Port Statistical Area 10/24/2022

TDA On The Go 40 - Northern Grain Belt Port Statistical Area The Mississippi River plays a major role in transporting Wisconsin's agricultural products and is directly tied to the state's economy. An effort is underway to form a new, federally-recognized statistical port district, known as the Northern Grain Belt Port Statistical Area. Bob Gollnik, senior planner at the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission, and Chris Smith, chief operating officer at Riverside Global Solutions, speak with TDA's Debby Jackson on the latest On The Go podcast about the crucial role of the upper Mississippi River and the benefits of this statistical port area. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/24765765

TDA On The Go 39: Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin 10/03/2022

TDA On The Go 39: Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin was founded in 1983 to help increase the sale and consumption of Wisconsin milk and dairy products. Today, the farmer-owned, operated, and funded organization continues to support the state’s dairy farmers by establishing new markets, funding research, and showcasing dairy’s economic contribution to the state. Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, talks with TDA's Debby Jackson about the state's dairy industry in the latest On The Go podcast. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/24566493

TDA On The Go 38 - The Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin 08/29/2022

TDA On The Go 38 - The Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin The annual Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin competition highlights the state's vibrant manufacturing industry, showcases amazing Wisconsin products, and celebrates the men and women who make it all happen. Nick Novak, Vice President of Communications & Marketing at Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, talks with TDA's Debby Jackson about this annual contest, encouraging us all to get involved at . Other topics covered in this fast-paced segment include the condition of Wisconsin's economy and how manufacturing has changed. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/24137121

TDA On The Go 37 - The Aviation Careers Education Program 07/13/2022

TDA On The Go 37 - The Aviation Careers Education Program The ACE (Aviation Careers Education) Program is back this summer, connecting Milwaukee public high school students with airport employers to open doors for these young people to pursue aviation-related careers and learn job skills. Harold Mester, director of public affairs and marketing at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, speaks with TDA's Debby Jackson about this successful 30-year-old summer internship program. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/23714258

TDA: On The Go Episode 36 06/27/2022

TDA: On The Go Episode 36 Have you tried an e-scooter? In this episode of the On The Go podcast, Austin Marshburn, head of city and university partnerships at Bird, talks with TDA’s Debby Jackson about how e-scooters are becoming an important part of the transportation mix in cities, including almost a dozen in Wisconsin, who uses them, and how the system works. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/23439884

TDA: On The Go Episode 35 05/25/2022

TDA: On The Go Episode 35 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently released preliminary traffic fatality numbers showing the U.S. reached a 16-year high in 2021. In this episode of the On The Go podcast, Nicholas Jarmusz, AAA Director of Public Affairs for Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, joins TDA’s Debby Jackson to discuss the upcoming summer travel season and what we can all do to make the roads safer for everyone. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/23216360

TDA: On The Go Episode 34 05/05/2022

TDA: On The Go Episode 34 TDA learns a lot by watching what is happening in other states. In this episode of the On The Go podcast, Margaret Donahoe, executive director of the Minnesota Transportation Alliance, joins TDA’s Debby Jackson to discuss all things Minnesota transportation. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/23017022

TDA: On The Go Episode 33 03/29/2022

TDA: On The Go Episode 33 The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is all the news. We hear about the funding for roads, bridges, public transportation, and the transition to electric vehicles. But what about investment in ports and waterways? Adam Tindall-Schlicht, director of Port Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Commercial Ports Association president, joins TDA’s Debby Jackson on the latest episode of the On The Go podcast to discuss Wisconsin ports and the opportunities provided by the recently passed infrastructure law. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/22594592

TDA: On The Go Episode 32 09/17/2021

TDA: On The Go Episode 32 Sept 20-26 is Rail Safety Week in Wisconsin and throughout North America. Gary Koerner, state coordinator of Operation Lifesaver, joins TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson on this episode of the On The Go podcast. The two discuss safety at railroad crossings, the dangers of trespassing on tracks, and upcoming Wisconsin events Operation Lifesaver has planned for Rail Safety Week. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/20510282

TDA: On The Go Episode 31 08/17/2021

TDA: On The Go Episode 31 Dave Steele, executive director of the Regional Transit Leadership Council, joins TDA's Debby Jackson on the latest episode of the On The Go podcast. The two discuss the Council's plan to help workers fill in the "last mile" between public transit and jobs in the Milwaukee area, expanding the pool of possible employees and connecting people to jobs. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/20164544

TDA: On The Go Episode 30 07/15/2021

TDA: On The Go Episode 30 Tourism was one of the hardest-hit sectors during the pandemic. But now, with the vaccine readily available, communities open for business, and pent-up travel demand, Wisconsinites are hitting the road this summer. In the latest episode of the TDA On The Go Podcast, Executive Director Debby Jackson speaks with Romy Snyder, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Dells Visitor and Convention Bureau, about the trends Snyder sees in the Dells and her optimism for the future of the industry. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/19819508

TDA: On The Go Episode 29 06/22/2021

TDA: On The Go Episode 29 AirVenture, described as the closest thing America has to a national airshow, returns to Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh July 26 through August 1 after a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/19550378

TDA: On The Go Episode 28 05/27/2021

TDA: On The Go Episode 28 Bikes are booming! /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/19256672

TDA: On The Go Episode 27 03/22/2021

TDA: On The Go Episode 27 In the latest episode, TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson sits down with Ellen Voie, President & CEO, Women in Trucking Association. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/18378938

TDA: On The Go Episode 26 03/09/2021

TDA: On The Go Episode 26 Mark O’Connell, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Counties Association, is also the current President of the Board of Directors of TDA. In this episode, Debby and Mark discuss how they both addressed the organizational challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and they examine the short and long-term opportunities facing TDA. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/18254129

TDA: On The Go Episode 25 02/25/2021

TDA: On The Go Episode 25 It’s state budget time. In this episode, TDA’s Debby Jackson reviews the Governor’s budget address and speaks with Sean Stephenson of the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, a veteran of several state budget sessions as a former capitol staffer and current director of government & member relations at WTBA. Stephenson breaks down the budget process and outlines what actions we may expect, and when we should expect them. /episode/index/show/tdaonthego/id/18084512

TDA: On The Go Podcast

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