Experts available to discuss the federal economic stimulus package

As federal lawmakers continue to debate the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA 2009), professional development experts at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are available to discuss the impact of the legislation on the nation’s infrastructure.

The legislation, approved by the House and awaiting Senate debate, would initially create a significant increase in the number of infrastructure projects in a short time, as well as a need for worker training to manage the millions of new jobs the proposal could produce.

To achieve the goals of ARRA 2009, infrastructure projects will require fiscal responsibility, efficiency and effectiveness. The agencies and organizations implementing ARRA 2009 will need innovative ideas and technologies to meet the accountability and administrative standards of the initiative.

The following experts will be able to address the general topics of accountability, asset management, economic development and innovation as they relate to their specific infrastructure areas.

• Carl Vieth (VEETH), director of corporate education, Department of Engineering Professional Development (EPD), 608-263-7424 (O), 414-412-8106 (C), vieth@epd.engr.wisc.edu. Vieth is a primary spokesman on the topic of infrastructure development and can discuss a variety of aspects of ARRA 2009.
• Philip O’Leary, chair of the EPD department, 608-262-0493 (O), 608-438-4149 (C), oleary@epd.engr.wisc.edu. O’Leary can discuss the opportunities and challenges of ARRA 2009.
• Ned Paschke, director of water wastewater and water resources programs, 608-263-4705, paschke@epd.engr.wisc.edu. Paschke can address some of the water management programs in the legislation.
• Howard Rosen, director of civil engineering and public works programs, 608-262-4341 (O), 608-469-1659 (C), rosen@epd.engr.wisc.edu. Rosen can discuss infrastructure policy at the federal and state level.
• Stephen Pudloski, director of the Transportation Information Center and civil engineering and public works programs, 608-262-8707, pudloski@epd.engr.wisc.edu. Pudloski is an expert on transportation issues.
• Wayne Pferdehirt (FUR-da-hirt), director of engineering distance degree programs, 608-265-2361, pferdehi@epd.engr.wisc.edu. Pferdehirt has can talk about the project management needs of an initiative of this magnitude.
• Joel Rogers, professor of law, political science, public affairs and sociology, is the director of the Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS), the Center for State Innovation, and co-creator of the Mayors Innovation Project. As such, he is closely involved with what states and cities need and hope for in the Obama stimulus package. Rogers has a variety of opinions about what is currently proposed. Reporters wishing to interview Rogers should contact Patty Gelenberg, 520-444-4937, pattyg@cows.org, or Michelle Bright, 608-890-2543, mbright@cows.org.
• Carolyn Heinrich, director of the university’s LaFollette School of Public Affairs, is available to talk about job training and the role of government in maintaining a competitive workforce. Heinrich is a professor of public affairs, an affiliated professor of economics, and associate director of research and training at the university’s Institute for Research on Poverty. She can be reached at 608-262-5443 or by e-mail at cheinrich@lafollette.wisc.edu.
• Susan Fischer, director of the Office of Student Financial Aid, can discuss how the stimulus package might benefit UW–Madison students. She can be reached at 608-262-2087, susan.fischer@finaid.wisc.edu.