About
Since 1977, WTS International, then called Women’s Transportation Seminar, has focused on promoting the advancement of women in the transportation industry.
Women were largely discouraged from participating in professional associations – unless the activities were deemed educational. In response, a pioneering group of women organized luncheons and workshops, deemed acceptable as “seminars.” They supported one another, used their connections to advance each other, and began to idealize a more diverse, inclusive and equitable transportation industry.
Today, the WTS International is a vibrant and essential part of an industry of more than 40,000 transportation professionals. WTS has more than 8,500 members and over 60 professional chapters.
Thank you for being a part of the WTS journey!
2026-27 WTS Arkansas Chapter
Board of Directors
Jessica Halbrook
Chapter President
Passionate about sustaining and enhancing bridges across the region, Jessica Halbrook, PE, is a leading expert in bridge rehabilitation and evaluation and serves as a Bridge Team Leader within the Central Region Bridge Team at Garver. Her experience in bridge design has spanned 12 years, ranging from new bridge design to major rehabilitation of existing bridge structures.
Jessica is a proud Little Rock native who seeks opportunities to elevate her home state regionally and nationally in her professional and volunteer work. As a mother of two, mentorship has taken and even larger role in Jessica’s life. From ARDOT Women in STEM to Museum of Discovery’s Girls in STEM to 4th grade classrooms during E-week, Jessica is enthusiastic to about sharing the world of Transportation with our next generation.
Jazmine Kumpe
Chapter Vice President
Jazmine is the Employee Relations Coordinator in the Human Resources Division at the Arkansas Department of Transportation, where she brings nearly four years of experience with the agency. In her role, she oversees employee engagement initiatives and serves as Secretary of the Employee Advisory Board. She holds an Associate of Science in Business and is committed to fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture.
Jazmine is passionate about advancing women in the transportation industry and believes that empowering women is essential to building the future of transportation. She values the mission of WTS International and supports its commitment to ethical leadership, integrity, respect, and a strong spirit of community. Jazmine looks forward to seeing Women in Transportation continue to thrive and make a lasting impact on the industry.
Srishti Bhutani
Chapter Secretary
Srishti is a licensed professional civil engineer working in the bridge group at Michael Baker International, Inc.’s Little Rock Office. She brings over 7 years of engineering experience through projects completed in the US and India. Her work focusses on new bridge design, rehabilitation design and load rating of older bridges.
Srishti completed her MS-Thesis in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University at College Station and completed Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering from National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra in India.
Julie Perry
Chapter Finance Chair
Julie serves as a Senior Office Administrator for the Transportation and Enterprise Solutions business lines at Garver. She has over 20 years of experience streamlining operations and developing programs that strengthen workplace culture. She leads event planning and loves creating experiences that spark connection. Serving as Board Treasurer, Julie is committed to helping the WTS community feel seen, supported and inspired while strengthening financial oversight and driving cost efficiencies.
Suzanne Peyton
Immediate Past President
Suzanne Peyton, a licensed professional engineer with more than 25 years of experience, Executive Director for Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock. Peyton joined the airport in November 2021 as director of properties, planning and development. She previously worked for Garver, where she began as an aviation project engineer and later served as aviation planning team leader, managing planning and development projects for small, medium and large hub airports across the United States.
Peyton earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Louisiana Tech University and is a certified member of the American Association of Airport Executives. She serves on the Baptist Health Board of Trustees, is a board member of Metroplan, and is an ex officio board member of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the Rotary Club of Little Rock and a graduate of Leadership Greater Little Rock.
Sydney Dozier
Communications Chair
Sydney Dozier, serves as Communications Chair for WTS Arkansas, where she is passionate about uplifting and celebrating women in transportation through storytelling and connection. She is the Public Engagement Planner at Metroplan, leading outreach and communications that make planning more accessible and engaging across Central Arkansas. With a background in nonprofit leadership, she brings a people-first approach to her work and is dedicated to creating spaces where women can grow, lead, and thrive in the industry.
Claire Schoppe
Membership Chair
Claire is a Project Manager at McClelland Consulting Engineers, Inc., where she oversees transportation design projects for the state department, cities, and counties around the state.
Julia Phillips
Northwest Arkansas Liaison
Julia is the Director of Project Delivery in the Fayetteville office of BGE, Inc. With a background in aviation, railroad, and highway engineering design and inspection, she's responsible for team strategy and coaches the growth and development of the Transportation Design Team. She also facilitates multi-regional collaboration for project delivery within BGE.
Kristen Spickard
Special Events Chair
Kristen is a Senior Graphic Designer on Garver's award winning communications team and has over a decade of experience in communications and event planning. She previously served as the communications chair of WTS Arkansas from 2024-2025 and has also served as communications chair of the Conway Alliance for the Arts board and co-chair of Conway ArtsFest.
Katie Rutledge
Programs Chair
Katie is a Project Manager at McClelland Consulting Engineers, Inc., where she works on transportation projects that include local municipalities and state DOTs. The projects include bridges and approaches, street widenings, roundabouts, and highway reconfigurations.
Katie Story-Hogue
Outreach Co-Chair
Katie is a Project Manager at Onpoint Excavation.
Erika Simple
Outreach Co-Chair
Erika is a Senior Traffic Design Engineer for the Arkansas Department of Transportation.
Our Guiding Principles
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WTS is an international organization dedicated to building the future of transportation through the global advancement of women.
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Advancing women in transportation is key to building the transportation industry.
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A strong international organization enables members, chapters and communities within WTS to achieve our shared vision.
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WTS can shape future generations of transportation leaders.
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WTS is committed to ethical leadership, integrity and respect for all.
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The WTS spirit of community, inclusiveness, and mutual support is one of our greatest assets.
