About — Association for Safe International Road Travel

Governance

Executive Committee

Founder and President

Rochelle Sobel

First Vice President

Judith Kranz

Vice Presidents

Andrew D. Koblenz
H. Randall Morgan

Secretary

Paul J. Blank

Treasurer

Linda Katzper

Of Counsel

Marc Friedman

Board of Directors

David Feinman
Dr. Stephen Hargarten
Kimberly Harrington
Mariana Maguire
Hernan Rosenberg
Maria Vegega

Advisory Board

Bill Frederick
Jackie Gillan
Ambassador Marc Grossman
Ambassador Stuart Jones
Marje Lemmon
Stein Lundebye
Natalie A. Mello
Margie Peden
Robert Wexler

History

ASIRT was founded in 1995 in response to the death of Aron Sobel, a 25-year old medical school student who was killed in a bus crash in Turkey along with 22 other passengers from many countries.

The bus driver was speeding down the wrong lane of a narrow, ill-maintained road with a sharp curve and no guard rail. The road had long been on a government list of “black spots” in need of repair. Aron’s graduation from the University of Maryland Medical School would have taken place two weeks from the day he was killed.

Employment & Volunteer Opportunities

Employment Opportunities

No opportunities are available at this time. Please submit a resume and writing sample for future consideration to csilberman@asirt.org.

Internship Opportunities

Students interested in government, public health, writing or research, are encouraged to apply for positions for fall and spring semesters, as well as summers. Located in Montgomery County, interns can arrange their work hours according to their schedules. If you are interested, please send a resume and writing sample to ASIRT Executive Director Cathy Silberman at csilberman@asirt.org.

Volunteer Opportunities

We rely on volunteers to help with events and administrative tasks. Please email us at asirt@asirt.org and tell us about yourself and your project interests.

The Project Team

ROCHELLE SOBEL FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT

Ms. Sobel founded ASIRT in response to her son Aron’s death in a 1995 bus crash in Turkey. Aron, a twenty-five year old medical student, and 22 other passengers were killed in that crash.

CATHY SILBERMAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Ms. Silberman oversees all administrative, fundraising and programmatic efforts for the internationally recognized U.S.-based NGO.

GAYLE NADLER SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER

Ms. Nadler oversees the education abroad membership programs, in addition to administering fundraising, sponsorship, internship, communication and event planning activities.

DEBRA BOKUR-RAWSTHORNE

RESEARCHER, JOURNALIST

ASIRT encourages governments in developing countries to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries through ongoing dialogue and knowledge sharing. ASIRT promotes U.S. government involvement in road safety abroad through the efforts of the Congressional Caucus on Global Road Safety, increased technical assistance by U.S. agencies with road safety and injury treatment expertise and the involvement of U.S. embassies in road safety initiatives in host countries.