What Are We Up To?
Aii maintains an active schedule hosting and attending lectures, panel discussions, conferences, and more. From Washington D.C. to Warsaw, Poland, and beyond, our experts engage with students, the public, policy experts, and public officials. Check out a few of our highlighted activities below, then see how Aii is the media’s trusted source for in-depth, nonpartisan expert analysis.
Aii Events
Upcoming Aii Events
- There are no upcoming events scheduled.
When: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Where: Virtual
Webinar: Roadblocks or Reauthorization
The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure convened transportation policy experts for Roadblocks or Reauthorization: What to Expect – and When – for Surface Transportation Reauthorization, examining whether Congress can complete a multiyear surface transportation bill before federal authorities expire on September 30 or instead rely on an extension. Featuring Aii Founder and Chairman Brigham McCown, Jeff Davis of the Eno Center for Transportation, Eryn Hurley of the National Association of Counties, Marc Scribner of the Reason Foundation, and Andy Winkler of the Bipartisan Policy Center, the Bloomberg Law–moderated discussion explored funding challenges, House and Senate differences, legislative timing, and what continued uncertainty could mean for infrastructure stakeholders.
When: Friday, February 20, 2026
Where: Virtual
Listening Session: Surface Transportation Reauthorization
The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure hosted a public listening session on the 2026 surface transportation reauthorization, led by Aii Founder and Chairman Brigham McCown and informed by perspectives from rail, trucking, telecommunications, and other transportation stakeholders. Building on Aii’s report Building Smarter, Safer Systems, the discussion examined federal funding, governance, accountability, fiscal discipline, freight and rail operations, infrastructure resilience, and the potential for fiber along highways and rail corridors to support hazard detection and smarter transportation systems.
When: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Where: Virtual
Listening Session: Federal Transportation Policy
The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure hosted a virtual public listening session to gather ideas, concerns, and priorities from transportation and infrastructure stakeholders. Featuring Centerpark CEO Gregg Reuben and Aii Founder and Chairman Brigham McCown – both members of the 12-member U.S. Department of Transportation Advisory Board – the conversation invited participants to help inform Aii’s future research and educational work while contributing perspectives relevant to national transportation policy and the advisory board’s work with Secretary Sean Duffy.
When: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Where: Virtual
Townhall: Transportation Priorities with Brigham McCown
The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure hosted a live transportation policy town hall featuring Aii Founder and Chairman Brigham McCown. Designed as a public listening session, the conversation invited infrastructure stakeholders to share priorities, challenges, and policy ideas that could help shape Aii’s future research, educational initiatives, and contributions to national transportation policy discussions.
When: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Where: Virtual
Panel: The Data-Energy Triangle
The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure convened experts from the electric utility, data center, and fiber-optic sectors to examine the “Data-Energy Triangle” – the growing convergence of power, digital connectivity, and artificial intelligence infrastructure. Moderated by Paul Dickinson of Smart Infrastructure Solutions, the discussion featured Joseph Quinn of the Edison Electric Institute, Adil Attlassy of Compass Datacenters, and Mark Boxer of Lightera, who explored rising energy and bandwidth demand, infrastructure permitting and coordination, grid and data center resilience, and the potential for fiber networks to support broadband, AI, smart grids, real-time monitoring, and damage prevention.
When: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Where: Virtual
Panel: Driving Regulatory Innovation for Safer Railroading
The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure convened rail, regulatory, and technology experts to examine how Federal Railroad Administration waiver reform could accelerate innovation and improve railroad safety. Moderated by Aii Founder and Chairman Brigham McCown, the discussion featured former Surface Transportation Board Chairman Roger Nober, Stephen Gordon of the Association of American Railroads, and Daniel Castro of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, who explored automated track inspection, performance-based regulation, regulatory inertia, and the need for more transparent, timely, and data-driven pathways for adopting proven rail technologies.
When: Friday, June 6, 2025
Where: Virtual
Panel: Matching Technological Breakthroughs with Regulatory Innovation
The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure convened utility, regulatory, and energy technology leaders to examine how public policy can keep pace with rapid advances in energy innovation. Moderated by Dr. Chris Hill, the discussion featured Chris Kroeker of NW Natural, Kiera Zitelman of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, Michael Jung of Modern Hydrogen, and Steven Schueneman of Puget Sound Energy, who explored emerging technologies including clean hydrogen, carbon capture, renewable natural gas, and grid modernization, as well as the regulatory barriers, customer protections, and public-private collaboration needed to deploy new energy solutions at scale.
When: Friday, March 28, 2025
Where: Virtual
Panel: ASCE 2025 Infrastructure Report Card Reaction
The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure convened an expert reaction panel to examine the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2025 Infrastructure Report Card and what it reveals about the condition and future of U.S. infrastructure. Featuring Aii Executive Director Benjamin Dierker, Advisory Council member Dr. Paul Dickinson, Policy Fellow Aaron Shavel, PE, and Board member Dr. Dave Venable, the discussion explored national infrastructure performance, persistent investment and implementation challenges, and opportunities to improve the safety, efficiency, resilience, and modernization of critical systems.
Featuring Aii
SPEAKING & EVENTS
Benjamin Dierker presents alongside Scott Landes on Damage Prevention Awareness
Benjamin Dierker joined 811 center directors to discuss Aii’s latest damage prevention report
Benjamin Dierker presented findings at the IHS first annual Research Symposium
Benjamin joined Center Forward to brief Congressional staff on rail road safety and modernization
Aii founder and chairman to give introductory keynote lecture to kick off the CEO forum
Benjamin Dierker, Executive Director at Aii, will share insights on coal and carbon capture.
Brigham McCown testified on the importance of expanding domestic energy production for national security and economic growth.
Brigham McCown spoke at the U.S. Conference of Mayors on infrastructure partnerships.
Benjamin Dierker spoke on innovation and infrastructure at the annual Fiber Optic Sensing Association meeting.
David Venable participated in a panel focused on multilateral approaches to post-conflict reconstruction.
Aii brings thought leaders and industry professionals to the Transportation Systems Sector Security Roundtable
Benjamin Dierker to moderate panel discussion on the role of existing in building the future
Aii board members discuss carbon pipeline benefits, federal regulations, and safety in Nebraska.
Benjamin Dierker speaks at the Global Excavation Safety Conference to discuss ways to cut excavation damages in half
Benjamin Dierker joins the pipeline sector symposium.
Benjamin Dierker speaks at the Utility Safety Partners Summit to present the results of an Aii damage prevention survey
Executive Director Benjamin Dierker discusses excavation damage to buried utilities with the Institute for Homeland Security.
Benjamin Dierker joins policy and industry leaders in Columbia, South Carolina to discuss the state’s energy future.
Aii Executive Director traveled to Israel to engage with innovative start up companies.
Aii participated in a thought leadership summit around critical infrastructure security.
Benjamin Dierker joins Indiana Law Review Symposium: Transportation Infrastructure Law and Policy: The Road Forward.
Benjamin Dierker joins a panel for Texas A&M Graduate Careers Series entitled “Research Careers Outside of Academia”
Brigham McCown shares stage with DOT Sec. Elaine Chao at Heritage Foundation.
Brigham McCown attends a meeting with the Federal Aviation Administration
Brigham McCown joins the Task Force on Innovation at the NARUC Summer Policy Summit.
Brigham McCown delivers keynote speech at BIASC Industry Building Show.
Brigham McCown speaks to graduate students at George Mason on Grid security.
Brigham McCown speaks to graduate students at the Clinton School of Public Service.
Brigham McCown gives lecture to graduate students at the Bush School.
Aii hosts Washington, D.C. expert panel on energy security in Europe.
Aii hosts Washington, D.C. expert panel on Rail Safety.
Brigham McCown speaks at the Warsaw Security Forum on investing in energy infrastructure.
NEWS & MEDIA
Brigham McCown discusses Trump’s energy agenda on C-SPAN.
Benjamin Dierker discusses rail and the National Defense Authorization Act.
Brigham McCown speaks on Fox News about Trump Administration infrastructure package.
Brigham McCown comments on a $700 million power plant under construction in Jackson Township.
Brigham McCown comments on infrastructure revitalization.
Brigham McCown talks private company benefits from infrastructure investments on FOX Business.
Brigham McCown talks pipeline safety and energy infrastructure with the Washington Journal on C-SPAN.
Expert analysis of recent Hoboken Train Crash investigation.
Brigham McCown talks oil transportation safety with the Washington Journal on C-SPAN.
Brigham McCown speaks to Fox News about rail infrastructure security.
Expert analysis of rail collision in NYC on ABC News.
Brigham McCown discusses Keystone Pipeline with MidPoint.
PODCAST & RADIO
Benjamin Dierker shares the Aii mission with Jimmy Global of the Atrium General podcast.
Aii Executive Director explains how innovation reduces carbon emissions.
Aii Adviser Paul Dickinson discusses fiber optic sensing, broadband investment, and the future of energy infrastructure.
Executive Director Benjamin Dierker was a guest on IHS’s podcast “Structurally Sound.”
Introducing Aii and our research to the Damage Prevention world
Aii Executive Director joins the Groundswell Capital podcast to discuss everything infrastructure.
Roy Mathews discusses a recent LNG plant explosion and energy policy
Roy Mathews talks through what has led to record-high gas prices.
Roy Mathews discusses public policy in the energy and environment sectors.
Aii board member Mandy Gunasekara discusses her time at the EPA and current energy events.
Roy Mathews discusses innovation in nuclear, renewables, and energy storage.
Roy Mathews Discusses Policy for Eastern Europe
Brigham McCown discusses the difference pipelines can make in the world’s energy crisis.
Brigham McCown explains pipeline importance to Redeemer Broadcasting.
Reaction to Merrimack Valley gas explosions on Boston’s NPR news station.
Brigham McCown discusses midstream infrastructure on Flash Point with Ryan Mills of AFPM.
Advisory Council member, Warren Hoemann talks highways with the Eyes on the Road podcast.
Aii founder, Brigham McCown, discusses infrastructure challenges around the country and how Aii makes an impact
How do drones and rail go together?
What is the Trump Administration’s energy strategy?
AFFILIATIONS
Served as independent member of advisory group for transportation systems
Judge for the Future City International competition.
Aii hosts student interns annually participating in the TFAS D.C. Summer Programs
Benjamin Dierker joined the Morality of Markets Working Group.
Benjamin Dierker completed transportation-focused leadership academy.
Member of the American Flood Coalition.
Charity sponsor for the 2019 Air Force One Golf Invitational.
Partner with the Beyond the Runway Coalition.
Infrastructure Week Affiliate since 2015
Advisor to 2016 Bush School/Law School Graduate Capstone on State & Local Trade Barriers.
CAMPAIGNS
Learn about underground infrastructure with #ModernRootsMarch
Learn about the energy resources powering modern life with Aii Energy Month
Share in the Action
EVENTS
Want to see Aii in Action at your event? Aii has experts ready to share their experience and insight with students, professors, industry leaders, public officials, and more. Whether it is sharing our expertise in a lecture or participating in a panel discussion with similar or contrasting viewpoints, we are there. To invite Aii to your event, conference, hearing, or other event, reach out to us at info@aii.org.
MEDIA
Aii is a trusted source for nonpartisan, balanced analysis and insight on the challenges and solutions facing American infrastructure. We regularly appear in the pages of news outlets, on cable news, podcasts, and radio, and through opinion articles. If you need an expert to weigh in on the issues of the day, contact us at info@aii.org. Visit our Media Center to see Aii in Action and for more resources and information on the 75+ outlets relying on Aii for the full story.
AFFILIATIONS
The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure strives to make a difference through research and education. Not only do we advance innovative solutions to critical challenges facing our nation and its infrastructure, but we partner with and support others making an impact. We proudly align our efforts with others making strong, data-driven, and nonpartisan proposals to help build a better future. Let us join your cause, to get Aii in Action as a partner or to learn about opportunities for sponsorships, contact us at info@aii.org.