The learning curve of going from a newspaper reporter to becoming the budget and policy director of the WTBA is pretty steep. Admittedly, there's a lot Kevin Traas didn't know about transportation funding and Wisconsin's heavy highway industry back in 2001.

In the 25 years since, Traas has become one of the most knowledgable and important people on the WTBA staff and in the association as a whole.

And you might not even know his name.

Now, as Kevin prepares to step away from WTBA employment, Lane and Steve sit down with Kevin to "download" some of his vast knowledge, hear about some of his greatest successes and bitter failures, and find out what it takes to become a budget expert.

Oh, and then there's stuff like AC/DC concerts and wild adventures in train travel in Cold War-era Germany. Enjoy!

Five surgeries down with more to come, fixing broken ankles, dislocated knees, a fractured hip, and road rash.

Those are just the physical scars that will stay with Kyle Perkins for years.

Then, there's the emotional damage that likely will never fade. Perkins, who was severely hurt after a car crashed through his work zone last June also lost his friend and colleague, Nano Alvarez.

In late October, Perkins shared his story with WTMJ Radio (AM 620) in Milwaukee on Wisconsin's Afternoon News. WTBA recaps that interview, with permission from WTMJ's Julia Fellow, in this edition of Road Trippin' with WTBA.

Sometimes life doesn't go as planned.

Taylor Tauer's Plan A was to be the next great quarterback of the Green Bay Packers.

Plan B was to follow in his father's footsteps and join the Marine Corps as a fighter pilot. Then, the military discovered he had Loeys-Dietz syndrome, a genetic disorder that put him at great risk for a ruptured aorta.

"That changed it, right? Oh, now I have to get a real job. And also I have to have open heart surgery," Tauer said.

Plan C? Put his civil engineering degree from Michigan Tech to good use.

"I was lucky enough to have an opportunity at Northeast Asphalt," Tauer said. "After a couple interviews, because they weren't sure, right? I was hired and I've been here ever since."

We'd say that's worked out pretty well for Tauer, the construction industry, and WTBA as a whole.

Tauer is the latest guest on the "Road Trippin' with WTBA" podcast. During our 20-minute conversation, we learn more about one of the young industry leaders in our association and Tauer's critical role in helping launch WTBA's new work zone safety billboard campaign in the Fox Valley.

Ever hear the word "Zemblanity" before?

Us either.

It wouldn't be the first time Eric Petersen taught us something new and it certainly won't be the last.

In a fascinating discussion, the guys sit down with the legendary (and famously private) WTBA contract lobbyist to talk through the wild state budget process, politics, and the ripple effects felt throughout the transportation world.

Oh, and then there were discussions about scooters, baseball bats, and liquor laws. Don't miss it.

After 57 years, more than 3,000 unique performers, and countless memories formed in front of 12 stages, Summerfest has literally helped shape Milwaukee and its lakefront.

But "The Big Gig" isn't just about the music. There's the sights, the smells, the snacks, the scenery and the sentiment that you can't find anywhere else in the world.

With opening day (June 19) on the horizon, the guys sit down with Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. CEO Sarah Smith Pancheri to find out why Summerfest is a must-see (and must travel-to) every year.

You almost certainly know his name, but how well do you really know Tim Michels?

The Michels Corporation owner and vice president has worked hard with his brothers to grow his parents' business from $150 million to more than $4 billion today. Michels employs 8,000 people worldwide and works on a wide array of transportation and infrastructure projects.

And, of course, there's that recent bid for governor.

Still, as Steve and Lane found out this week, there's a whole lot more to Tim Michels and he's happy to share it if you ask. Favorite band? Favorite book? Coolest job site he's been on? It's all in the fourth edition of "Road Trippin' With WTBA" podcast.

Mike Manazir's resume and leadership chops speak for itself.

Naval academy graduate, Top Gun graduate, commanding officer of a fighter jet squadron, commanding officer of a U.S. aircraft carrier, retired two-star admiral, Boeing executive, author.

Still, he'd be the first to admit he's made mistakes. Plenty of them.

That disarming honesty and relatability made Admiral Manazir an excellent guest speaker at WTBA's Annual Convention in 2025 and the subject of our third podcast.

The guys unpack some of Manazir's excellent leadership advice while sharing some of the incredible stories he taps into to drive his points home.

At 40 years old, Dan Zignego has already accomplished a lot in his life. Still, his overall goal is to be successful as possible.

How does he define that? And how do chickens, ice cream cones, and ballroom dancing fit into that calculus? Listen in as the new WTBA Board President shares his insights into life, leisure and the pursuit of roadbuilding.