Advisory Council Member Profile: David Sprynczynatyk

David Sprynczynatyk became a member of the UGPTI Advisory Board when legislation enacted by the North Dakota Legislature in 2003 required a representative from the North Dakota Department of Transportation to serve on the board. But Sprynczynatyk is not reluctant to serve.

"Even before the law was changed, I participated as an observer and interested party. The NDDOT is not just highways, our role is to provide an overall transportation system that is part of the economic well-being of North Dakota. From my standpoint, transportation is absolutely critical for North Dakota today and for our future as well. The Institute is in a position to help us," he says.

Sprynczynatyk was appointed North Dakota Director of Transportation on Jan. 1, 2001 by Governor John Hoeven. He had previously served as North Dakota State Engineer and Secretary to the State Water Commission. His interactions with North Dakota State University go back more than 35 years. He graduated from NDSU in 1972 with a B.S. degree in civil engineering.

He is a registered professional engineer in North Dakota and is a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and the North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers, having served one term as the state society's president. He is also on the Board of Directors for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and is the vice president of the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

Sprynczynatyk says the UGPTI fills two key roles for the DOT. "First, it's a link between our department and the academic community at NDSU, especially the students. We have a great need for well-trained, well-qualified people."

"Secondly, I view the institute as a valuable resource to us as we make decisions about the future of transportation in North Dakota. I look at the institute as an extension of the department and we're able to bring the resources and expertise of the institute to our discussions," he says.

Those roles will continue to grow in importance as transportation systems in the region face several key challenges, Sprynczynatyk says. Those challenges include:

• An aging highway system.
• Changing demographics with fewer people and more elderly in rural portions of the state and a younger and growing population in urban areas.
• Growing needs for high quality transportation systems across the state to safely and economically move people and goods.

"Dealing with changing demographics and ongoing funding limitations while being able to move people safely around the state are big issues," he says. "We also need to make sure North Dakota isn't land-locked from the rest of the world — that people who choose to do business around the world can do so from any corner of the state."

Sprynczynatyk is also a graduate of the U.S. Army War College and a brigadier general in the North Dakota Army National Guard, currently serving as J-4 Logistics Director of the National Guard Bureau. He and his wife, Connie, have two children, Thomas and Cathryn.