It is with a heavy heart that I read the AASHTO announcement that Jim McMinimee, one of my newsmakers in 2009,died May 10. He was a passionate advocate of accelerated bridge techniques, alternative project delivery methods and an alumnus of the Utah Dept. of Transportation, one of the most innovative and forward-thinking DOTs out there.
Jim was also laid-back, fun, personable and friendly. We often hung out at TRB or International Bridge Conference meetings, having dinner or drinks. The last time I saw him, at last year's IBC, was after he'd texted me to come join him and a group of friends at the hotel bar. It was people like Jim who helped me network with the bridge world and learn about the innovative things being attempted.
The IBC meeting is next month, and it just won't be the same without Jim there. Only 51. Much too young for this husband, father, colleague and champion of bridge construction.
Jim is terribly missed. :(
Mourning McMinimee: A Newsmaker Dies Too Young
I too am saddened by this all too premature loss.<br/>Engineers of this innovative caliber and depth of rich experience<br/>are greatly needed in Government. Instead it appears that Gov...
May 19, 2012
I too am saddened by this all too premature loss.
Engineers of this innovative caliber and depth of rich experience
are greatly needed in Government. Instead it appears that Government
is the great training school and sadly but understandably Government
continuously loses its top people to private industry. We urgently need
to investigate ways we can keep or recruit such people in or to Government. I believe that with such a passing valuable knowledge is forever lost or lost only to be relearned at great cost.
Engineers of this innovative caliber and depth of rich experience
are greatly needed in Government. Instead it appears that Government
is the great training school and sadly but understandably Government
continuously loses its top people to private industry. We urgently need
to investigate ways we can keep or recruit such people in or to Government. I believe that with such a passing valuable knowledge is forever lost or lost only to be relearned at great cost.