A&M International Alumnus Named Director of Texas Transportation Institute

A Texas A&M International University alumnus has been named director of the Texas Transportation Institute in Laredo, a newly established research center conducting studies on border transportation and logistics.

Duane Burdorf, who graduated with a master of business administration in international trade degree from A&M International in 1993, will be responsible for developing research topics related to transportation and applying for grants to fund the studies.

"We would like to conduct studies that will lead us to relieve truck congestion in Laredo," Burdorf said, "In 1997, if we had lined up loaded cargo that passed through Laredo, we would have crossed the Canadian border 91/2 times."

A&M International unveiled its division of the Texas Transportation Institute at a ceremony in December. Part of the division's charge will be the active pursuit of expanded funded research opportunities with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and other state, local, federal, international and private research sponsors. Also, the TTI office will collaborate with the University and other members of The Texas A&M University System to deliver education and training in transportation to the border region and elsewhere as appropriate.

"We have a good group of graduate students working in the Institute. We want to put our knowledge together to help the city and help the traffic situation," Burdorf said.

Besides being a director of the Institute, Burdorf is director of the Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development, housed at A&M International. He is also director of the Drought Information Center, also housed on campus. He is currently pursuing a master of science in international logistics degree at A&M International. Burdorf received his bachelor of business administration-international business degree in 1990 from Mankato State University in Mankato, Minnesota.

In addition, Burdorf has participated in the community as treasurer of the Texas A&M International University Alumni Association. He has also played parts in Laredo Little Theater productions, University Theater's Shakespearean productions and participated in the Washington's Birthday Celebration.

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