The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) has tapped John Schneidawind as its new vice president of public affairs, effective Jan. 3. A former business writer at USA Today, Schneidawind has decades of diverse communications experience in the private sector and with national associations.

Schneidawind will lead ARTBA's media relations initiatives. He will play a key role in the execution of the "Transportation Makes America Work" advocacy program, which is aimed at educating policymakers about the many positive impacts of strong transportation investment on the U.S. economy, job creation and quality of life.

Most recently, he spent eight years at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) as director of public affairs and media relations, augmenting AIA's public policy voice on Capitol Hill and in state houses across the country. He led external advocacy communications efforts and in 2017 waged a successful campaign to help win lower rates for architects in tax reform legislation. He also spearheaded an AIA effort to promote the values of the architecture profession and advanced its positions on immigration reform, climate change and professional licensure.

Schneidawind has an extensive background in brand and reputation management, positioning companies for corporate restructurings, and in managing through crises. He led media relations for KPMG Consulting/BearingPoint through its initial public offering, acquisition strategy and a corporate governance crisis. He has also held corporate communications roles at telecommunications firms BellSouth Corp. and Neustar Inc.

For more information, visit www.artba.org.