When you ask a child what they want to be when they grow up, you don’t expect to hear “traffic safety product manager” or “traffic signal engineer.” While the traffic safety industry forms the backbone of the world’s roadways, it’s not one many children are aware of.
Even as adults, however, many people who do become traffic safety professionals did not begin their careers very knowledgeable about the industry and intending to work in it. The paths we take to join the industry and what we learn along the way vary tremendously.
Discover what seven of TAPCO’s seasoned pros have to say about how they got into the traffic safety industry, what surprised them the most and what their favorite career moments have been thus far.
Brian Scharles Sr., Director of ITS Engineering & Service
How did you first get into the traffic safety industry?
I was an intern at TAPCO my first summer and was hired to wire traffic signal cabinets. When I graduated with an electrical engineering degree from the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), the traffic signal technology was extremely intriguing to me, and the ability to apply my electrical background and make roads safer for the public was excellent. After two years, I then continued my education and received a degree from Marquette [University] in Traffic Engineering.
I then grew and sustained the best service team in the Midwest, which has grown to be the finest service team for signal/ITS and Intelligent Warning Systems across the country.
What’s something that surprised you about the industry?
I will admit there has been many surprises throughout the years. Examples: knowing I could make the roads safer for drivers, warning systems, less congestion and save fuel…just to start the list. This transportation industry never gets boring. There is a continuous effort to automate safety with Intelligent Warning Systems and advanced maintenance processes to extend the useful life of these installed safety warning systems.
Lindsay Harvey, Service Solutions Director
What’s something that surprised you about the industry?
The honesty and integrity of the civil servants across the country who are charged with protecting the traveling public.
What’s one of your favorite career moments in the industry?
Speaking about the topic of connected vehicles at the Fort Lauderdale Transportation Summit in 2019. I was honored but also amazed at the forward thinking going on there.
Brian Scharles Jr., Platform Engineer
How did you first get into the traffic safety industry?
I got into the traffic industry through my father, who has been working in the traffic industry for over 30 years. Growing up as a kid, I thought it was so cool to see TAPCO’s BlinkerStop® flashing LED signs out on the roads. When I started at TAPCO as an intern, I was exposed to more types of intelligent transportation systems and found out how much opportunity there was to develop new technologies and innovative products in the transportation field.
What’s one of your favorite career moments in the industry?
One of my favorite moments was the release of TAPCO’s Connected Vehicle Interface. When I was a student at MSOE, our senior design team partnered with TAPCO to explore connected vehicle technology and develop a proof-of-concept using TAPCO’s dynamic curve warning system. As part of the project, I was able to learn all about this new technology and get connected with experts in the connected vehicle field.
Once I joined TAPCO full-time, I was fortunate enough to continue that project and develop it into a finished product that we sell today, our Connected Vehicle Interface. Seeing this go from a student project to a saleable product was extremely rewarding!
Deidre Jones, Senior Account Manager
How did you first get into the traffic safety industry?
I was looking for a job that I could feel good about and help people.
What’s something that surprised you about the industry?
How much everyone in the industry really wants to work together for the safety of the public, both pedestrians and drivers.
Amanda Schulz, Director of Sales
How did you first get into the traffic safety industry?
I applied for a sales job, as I was just getting ready to graduate with my business management degree and had sales experience. I had no idea about this industry other than I liked the idea of selling products that helped save lives.
What’s one of your favorite career moments in the industry?
There are a lot of favorite moments in my career, but I always think back to the first installation in the City of Los Angeles. I had worked with them for months, and they had purchased several of our RRFB systems and BlinkerSign® systems. It was so amazing to actually watch our systems being installed in the field for the first time.
As I was standing there, a lady and her young daughter came up to the crosswalk; she smiled at me and said, “This is so overdue. We walk here every day, and this crossing is always so dangerous.” It was very impactful knowing that the products my company provided to the city were immediately impactful. A few weeks later, I learned how well the crossing was received by local residents as well, and it’s so rewarding!
Robert Kurka, Product Manager
What’s something that surprised you about the industry?
How supportive everyone in the industry is to each other. We all want to see others succeed as we are all here to save lives.
What’s one of your favorite career moments in the industry?
I enjoyed working with the TAPCO team to develop the SafeWalk® Crosswalk Illuminator. It is an easy, cost-effective add-on that can help save lives! I enjoy walking with my wife, and in the winter nighttime can come at 5, so anything I/we can do to help pedestrian safety at night impacts me personally.
Michael Long, Director of Product Management
What’s something that surprised you about the industry?
The amount of variation in approaches to safety and solutions [surprised me]. There seem to be as many as there are road operators.
What’s one of your favorite career moments in the industry?
I really enjoy the conferences and shows where we exhibit new TAPCO products, such as ITS America, TRB and ATSSA. A highlight for me was when the TAPCO Connected Vehicle Interface won an Innovation Award at the 2019 ATSSA Annual Convention & Traffic Expo.
We all take different paths into this industry, but we often seem to stay for the same reason: our work helps save lives.
So how did you first get into the traffic safety industry? Anything that surprised you, or any moment that stands out from the rest? Let us know on social media.
Learn more about some safety solutions these TAPCO experts are working on >
Robert Prosser
TAPCO | Vice President of Sales & Marketing
With a career spanning over two decades, Rob has served in various product development, sales and leadership positions and has leveraged those experiences to lead TAPCO through major product launches aimed at enhancing roadway safety.
Rob is especially passionate about TAPCO's unique convergence of technology and market applications and is excited to continue bringing essential traffic safety solutions to communities nationwide.