Children of Fallen Transportation Construction Workers to Receive College Financial Assistance

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Eight children of transportation construction workers killed on the job will receive post-high school financial assistance for the 2026-27 school year thanks to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) Foundation scholarship initiative.

The program was established with a major gift from two Roanoke, Va. highway contractors and their companies-Stan Lanford (1999 ARTBA chairman) of Lanford Brothers, and Jack Lanford (1991 ARTBA chairman) of Adams Construction Company. Scholarships have a value of up to $10,000 annually.

Nearly 240 "Lanford Family Transportation Construction Worker Memorial" scholarships have been awarded to worthy students from 33 states to pursue undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as technical training.

The 2026 class includes:

Willie Blevins, Mary Esther, Fla.
Willie's mom, Kathy, died in 2004 while working for Gwinnett County (Ga.) Department of Transportation. Willie is enrolled in the University of Tennessee's MBA program.

Bailey Edwards, Gadsden, Ala.
Bailey's father, Keith, was killed in 2020 when he was struck by an 18-wheeler while placing road work signs for Vulcan Materials Company. Bailey will be a sophomore majoring in psychology at Auburn University.

Katie & Christopher Hutt, Knoxville, Tenn.
Katie and Christopher's father, Chris, was struck and killed in 2006 while installing signage for United Rentals in a highway work zone. Katie will be a first-year graduate student studying architecture at Georgia Tech. Christopher will be a junior majoring in environmental studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Christopher Montgomery, Lake Village, Ark.
Christopher's father, Christopher, was killed in 2011 while working on a bridge construction project for Austin Bridge & Road. Christopher will be a sophomore majoring in sports administration at Arkansas State University.

Amy McNeil Stepan, Lumberton, Texas
Amy's father, Jeffrey McNeil, was killed in 2005 while working for the Texas Department of Transportation. Amy is a graduate student at Texas Woman's University pursuing her master's degree to become an acute care gerontology nurse practitioner.

Zoe Watts, Marshall, Ark.
Zoe's father, James "Kirk" Watts, was killed by overturned equipment while working for the Arkansas Department of Transportation in 2018. Zoe will be a junior studying nursing at the University of Central Arkansas.

Jeffrey Zeitz, Gladwin, Mich.
Jeffrey's father, Jeremy, was struck and killed in 2020 by a pickup truck while working for Anlaan Corporation. Jeffrey will be a freshman at Ferris State University, studying construction management.

A Recent Graduation
Multi-year scholarship recipient Breana Jones graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in graphic design from Winthrop University in South Carolina.

About the Foundation

Established in 1985, the ARTBA Foundation is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt entity designed to "promote research, education and public awareness" about the impacts of transportation investment.  It supports an array of initiatives, including educational scholarships, awards, management and education programs, roadway work zone safety training and certificates, special economic research and reports, and an exhibition on transportation at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.