John M. Agrey Award

The 2000 John M. Agrey Awards were presented at the UGPTI Annual Banquet October 5, 2000. The recipients were Marshall Moore and John Finsness. The award recognizes individuals for their contribution in promoting transportation in North Dakota.

Marshall W. Moore

For more than seven years, Marshall W. Moore served as director of the North Dakota Department of Transportation. His position was a capstone for years of service serving North Dakota and the region. Moore distinguished himself as an engineer, legislator, fighter pilot and entrepreneur, earning the respect of lawmakers from North Dakota to Washington, DC. He has been one of few DOT directors who was also an engineer.

At NDDOT he addressed transportation needs throughout the state and furthered the growth of information technology. His comprehensive business plan reflected his 30 years in the private sector where he co-founded Moore Engineering, Midwest Technical Laboratory, and the architectural and engineering planning firm of Halvorson, Moore, Strague and Moore.

While his government service included four terms in the North Dakota legislature from 1981 to 1987, he also directed the North Dakota Farmers Home Administration from 1989 to 1992.

From 1994 through 1996 Marshall was active in the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, serving as president in 1996. He currently serves on the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials board.

In 1996, Marshall was chosen Man of the Year for Region I of the American Society of Highway Engineers.

John I. Finsness

John Finsness served North Dakota transportation through his expertise in common carrier freight rates and rail transportation issues, skills honed from his earliest days working at the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad while studying law. A native of St. Paul, Minn., he graduated from the William Mitchell School of Law after military service.

In his near four decade career, Mr. Finsness was counsel for the transportation division of the Fargo Chamber of Commerce, railroad rate counsel for the North Dakota Wheat Commission, researcher with the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute on long-range transportation issues and with the North Dakota Public Service Commission as an expert on freight rates.

He also served as a special assistant attorney general for North Dakota in rate litigation before the Interstate Commerce Commission, the federal district courts and several federal circuit courts of appeals. Mr. Finsness retired in 1983, enjoying Florida winters and other travel with his wife, Evelyn.