Matthew C. Sielski

Matthew C. Sielski was the 20th President of ITE and was the first Canadian-born member to achieve the Presidency. Mr. Sielski was born in Winnipeg, Canada in 1914 and received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan i 1938.

Mr. Sielski joined the Board of Direction as a Director starting in 1953, became Secretary in 1955 and was Vice President from 1956 to 1958.  He was President 1958-1959.

He had the distinction of being dubbed as "the shortest term" President as he assumed office in November of 1958, a late date for the annual meeting, and terminated the office at the annual meeting in September, 1959.    

During his tenure a significant workshop developed ITE goals including the creation of a separate district for Canada.  The Technical Council was also completely revised and reorganized during his tenure.  

Mr. Sielski also is a graduate of Northwestern University's Transportation and Highway Engineering program receiving an MS there in 1962.  

From 1938 to 1946 Mr. Sielski was Traffic Engineer of the Chicago Motor Club and from 1946 to 1963 was Director of their Safety and Traffic Engineering Department.  In 1963 he became Director of the Traffic Engineering and Safety Department of AAA in Washington, DC  

In 1967 he joined the government as Director of the Office of Driving Environment Programs of the National Highway Safety Bureau and in 1968 went back to Chicago to become the Vice President for Safety and Traffic Engineering for the Chicago Motor Club.  

Mr. Sielski has long  been active in the National Safety Council being Past Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Traffic Conference and a member of the Board of Directors of the Council.  He has also been active in the Highway (Transportation) Research Board.