Instructor Bios:

Richard B (Dick) Albin joined FHWA as a Safety Engineer with the FHWA Resource Center’s Safety and Design Team in June 2008. Prior to joining FHWA, Dick worked for 15 years with the Washington State Department of Transportation and for 6 years for the New York State Department of Transportation in a Regional office. He graduated from the University of Wyoming with a BS in Civil Engineering and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Washington State. Dick chaired the TRB Roadside Safety Design Committee from 2009-2015 and is also a member of several NCHRP panels that oversee research on roadside safety issues. Dick is one of the leads for the Every Day Counts (EDC) initiative to Focus on Reducing Rural Roadway Departures.

Paul LaFleur started with FHWA in 2015 as a safety & transportation engineer with the Iowa Division where he remains. He has area engineer duties for the Des Moines area, and safety statewide. Paul enjoys several collateral duties to include; work zones, recruiting, intern/PDP coach, mental health program manager, social committee chair, NHI Instructor, and EEO counselor. In his 22 year career he has worked at the local, state, and federal level, even spending 1.5 years with a consultant and 6 years as an elected official in Illinois. Paul was in the Naval Reserves for 8 years both enlisted and as an officer, as a Seabee/CEC Officer. Paul attended Iowa State University, graduating with a BS in civil engineering. He has been married for over 21 years. Paul and his wife have boy/girl twins that will be graduating at the end May. Paul dreams of one day building his own boat and taking weekend trips exploring rivers and lakes across the country.

Dave Kopacz is a Safety Engineer working in a dual role for the FHWA Resource Center and the FHWA HQ Office of Safety and has been with the FHWA for 33 years. Dave’s primary focus is on the implementation of safety performance management. Dave’s career has included positions in several FHWA Division Offices, including 8 years in the Wisconsin Division as the Programs Team Leader, 12 years in the Minnesota Division as the Safety & Traffic Engineer and as an Area Engineer for four years in the FHWA California Division and for two years in the Illinois Division. Dave received a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and is a registered professional engineer in the State of Wisconsin.