Skip to main content

IBTTA names 2016 president

The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) has elected Earl J. (Buddy) Croft III as its 2016 president. Croft was elected president for a one year term by the IBTTA’s international membership at its 2015 Annual Meeting in September. Croft is currently the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) in Jamestown, Rhode Island. Since 2006, Croft has led a state-wide team responsible for finance, operations and maintenance of Rhode Island’s four larg
January 6, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
The 3804 International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) has elected Earl J. (Buddy) Croft III as its 2016 president. Croft was elected president for a one year term by the IBTTA’s international membership at its 2015 Annual Meeting in September. Croft is currently the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) in Jamestown, Rhode Island.
 
Since 2006, Croft has led a state-wide team responsible for finance, operations and maintenance of Rhode Island’s four largest bridges in Aquidneck Island. This included the Newport Pell Bridge, the largest suspension bridge in New England. During his tenure, RITBA has spent nearly US$180 million dollars maintaining and repairing its bridges to enhance safety.

One of his proudest accomplishments to date is the installation of a median barrier on the bridge deck of the Newport Pell Bridge, a US$6 million dollar building project whose aim was to reduce the number of crossover accidents and enhance safety for all motorists.

Croft has been a member of IBTTA's Board of Directors for the past six years, most recently serving as first vice president. Before joining IBTTA's Board, Buddy was a member of several committees including serving as Chairman of the IBTTA Audit Committee and as a member of the Finance and Government Affairs Committees.

"I am delighted to assume the helm of this organisation at this pivotal time in transportation history," said Croft. "In the United States, we are at a crossroads where the country’s building and repair needs for it roads, bridges and tunnels are colliding with significantly reduced transportation budgets, both on the federal and state levels. IBTTA plays an important role in providing solutions to address these challenges here and abroad and I look forward to addressing these transportation issues as president."  
 
"Buddy is the perfect leader to serve as president of IBTTA at this critical time," said Patrick D. Jones, executive director and CEO of IBTTA. "Under his leadership, Buddy has modernised Rhode Island's tolling operation by introducing the E-ZPass system and open road tolling for motorists. He brings to IBTTA a tremendous level of experience and leadership in transportation and tolling."

Related Content

  • December 18, 2024
    IBTTA announces new executive director and CEO
    Kathryn Clay will start in January 2025 after Pat Jones' two-decade tenure
  • September 13, 2017
    IBTTA appoints new president, second VP
    The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association's (IBTTA) has announced the election of the association’s president and second vice-president, who will both take office in January 2018. Tim Stewart, executive director of Colorado’s E-470 Public Highway Authority has been elected as the association’s incoming president. He has served as a member of the association’s Executive Committee for the past two years and on the Board of Directors for four years.
  • March 31, 2017
    In advance of Congressional debate, IBTTA releases Visioning Summit report
    In the lead-up to a much-anticipated policy debate regarding infrastructure investment, the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) has released The Futures of Transportation, a report of the Transportation Visioning Summit which convened leaders of 18 major US transportation associations to discuss and consider the future of transportation. Topics featured in the report, along with transportation leaders’ thoughts and analysis of each, include: autonomous and connected vehicles, s
  • January 20, 2022
    FHWA formula aims to bridge funding gap
    IBTTA welcomes FHWA's $26.5bn for bridges - and announces its executive officers for 2022