Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute Presents Awards to Transportation Leaders

Posted: Oct 8, 2025

The Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI) at North Dakota State University recently honored Fargo Hector International Airport Executive Director Shawn Dobberstein, ND State Senator Mark Weber, and Metro Flood Diversion Authority Executive Director Jason Benson for their contributions to transportation in the state. The three were honored at UGPTI's Annual Awards Banquet, held October 2 in Fargo.

Dobberstein received the John M. Agrey Award in recognition of his service to Hector International Airport in Fargo. During his tenure, Dobberstein has led the airport through several large projects, including a primary runway reconstruction, a two-gate terminal expansion, and construction of a storage building for snow removal equipment. Most recently, he led the development of a cargo ramp and building that has positioned Fargo as a regional cargo hub for FedEx and UPS. The increased growth of commercial air service under Dobberstein's leadership has led to the need for improvements at the commercial terminal complex. In 2024, the Airport Authority began a $130 million five-gate terminal expansion and a new 1,000-space parking garage that will position the airport for the next 20 years and beyond.

The Agrey award, UGPTI's highest honor, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the state of North Dakota, its citizens, and its business community through involvement in transportation. The award is named for John M. Agrey, a pioneer, innovator, and advocate for transportation in North Dakota. During his 38-year career with the ND Public Service Commission, Agrey exhibited a tireless dedication toward fair freight rates for North Dakota shippers.

Weber received the Chairman's Award in recognition of his work to address rural transportation infrastructure issues on behalf of counties and townships as a state senator and agricultural leader. Throughout his career, Weber has recognized the importance of a strong rural transportation infrastructure to both the ag industry and the entire state. He frequently cites UGPTI's Biennial Rural Infrastructure Needs study to emphasize the need to invest in transportation in rural North Dakota. Weber was first elected to the State Senate in 2020 representing District 22, which encompasses rural Cass County and parts of West Fargo. During the 2025 legislative session, he served as chair of the Senate Finance and Tax Committee and as a member of the Senate Agriculture & Veteran Affairs Committee. During his tenure in the ND Senate, Weber has focused on reducing property taxes, improving farm drainage and drain tiling, supporting additional state funding for rural water projects, and increasing funding for rural roads and bridges, particularly at the township and county level.

The Chairman's Award recognizes individuals for contributions to transportation research, education, and outreach at NDSU, and/or contributions to the viability of UGPTI.

Benson received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-term service to transportation as a county engineer and as a leader in the ND Association of County Engineers. During his time as Cass County engineer, Benson was involved in not only planning and maintaining the county's infrastructure, but in disaster response and recovery and in leading flood fighting efforts for Cass County for more than a decade. With the ND Association of County Engineers, he served on numerous committees and was president of the association in 2018. Benson was named Engineer of the Year in 2021, and his expertise and guidance to counties was instrumental in moving county road departments forward in innovation and efficiency. In early 2024, Benson was named executive director for the Metro Flood Diversion Authority, where he provides leadership and management for the $3.2 billion Fargo-Moorhead Diversion Project. He joined the Cass County Highway Department in 2000 and was named Cass County engineer in 2011. He managed more than 630 miles of paved and gravel roads and 560 bridges. Benson also served at the operational and planning level with FEMA disaster response, working with post disaster recovery and flood plain mapping after multiple flood events. He served as the Cass County lead in flood plain remapping for the Western Cass Flood Insurance Study and the Fargo-Moorhead Area Flood Diversion physical map revision. Benson was a member of the White House group reviewing the regulatory burdens on transportation projects and provided testimony regarding the regulatory challenges of Waters of the United States as defined in U.S. federal regulations.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have had a distinguished career in a transportation-related field. The award is not based on the individual's impact on mobility in North Dakota or on the viability of UGPTI, but on long-term professional excellence in the field of transportation.