Toohey and Wood Honored by Construction Writers Association

July, 2005

(Buffalo Grove, IL) The Construction Writers Associations has presented its highest honor, the Silver Hard Hat Award, to William D. Toohey Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), and David Wood, one of the construction industry's leading writers, publicists, and marketing experts.

The awards, which recognize outstanding service to the construction industry or to the association, were presented at CWA's recent annual meeting and awards dinner in Washington, DC.

Toohey was presented the CWA Silver Hard Hat for service to the industry. He has held a variety of positions since joining ARTBA in 1985. He spearheaded the organization's grassroots communications, media relations, and advocacy advertising efforts related to the 1991 and 1998 highway and mass transit reauthorization bills, and is currently leading the organization's efforts in support of the TEA-21 measure on Capitol Hill.

Under Toohey's leadership, ARTBA's "Building a Better America Through Transportation" and "Transportation Makes America Work" campaigns have earned national awards from the association world and construction industry groups. In addition, he has been instrumental in expanding ARTBA's programs in the areas of safety, economics, research, regulatory issues, and environmental advocacy.

Wood received the CWA Silver Hard Hat for service to the association. He has more than 30 years experience in a variety of business environments, and he has offered the construction industry a wide range of writing and marketing communication services since 1990. Along with serving hundreds of clients across the country, he has provided the industry and his colleagues with valuable news, humor, and insights through the award-winning "Words from Woody" newsletter.

Wood has also played an active role in advancing the Construction Writers Association. During his term as president (1997-98), the organization refined and clarified its mission statement and goals, and added new value-added services that helped spark a sustained growth in membership. Woody is also a past and current chair of CWA's Publicity and Promotions Committee, and for several years he oversaw the association's annual Marketing Communications Awards, a program which he helped launch in 2001.

Construction Writers Association is a non-profit, non-partisan, international organization for journalists, publicists, photographers, and marketing communications professionals serving the information needs of the construction industry. By providing opportunities for networking, education, recognition, and fellowship, CWA helps foster a strong community-and improve the quality of construction writing. CWA's website is www.constructionwriters.org .

For information:

Deborah J. Hodges
Executive Director
P.O. Box 14784
Chicago, Illinois 60614
Telephone 773 687-8726
Fax 773 687-8627
info@constructionwriters.org