The HLT concept originated because of the volume of storms
in the active 1995 hurricane season, and the increase in requests
by state and local governments for timely information from the
National Hurricane Center. Prior to joining HSE, Frank was
Department Head of the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency
Management for Harris County in Houston, TX. During that time
he successfully managed operation centers for Hurricanes Rita and
Katrina and received recognition from state and federal
officials for his performance.
Automated Barriers Protect Citizens From Roadway Flooding
September 2007 brought the installation of another High Sierra Electronics
Advance Warning System for roadway flooding and traffic safety.
This latest installation activates six flashing beacon sites and
lowers barrier gate arms across three rural roads crossed by
Orestimba Creek in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California
where a vehicle was swept away and a life lost in flood waters,
November of 2005. The system is entirely solar powered and utilizes
wireless communications for automatic or manual activation and
status reporting. Orestimba Creek has a long history of flash flooding
when precipitation is high in the coastal range west of the area.
The system activated for three days during a major weather event
in January 2008, activating flashing beacons, lowering barrier arms
and notifying Stanislaus County Road Maintenance supervisors via text
and email messages. Storms later that month activated the system for
seven days. System activity and detailed water level data are
monitored by County personnel via web browser. Historical flood level
and system activation data is available for review at the base station
running DEC Data Systems Datawise software. Data is also monitored by
High Sierra Electronics personnel who are automatically notified when
the waters rise and the system activates. The County had requested that
once activated, the system remain active with the barrier gate arms down
until the time County personnel inspect the roads for traffic safety.
Once sure a road is safe for travel, County personnel raise the barrier
gate arms by remote control from the comfort of their vehicle.
High Sierra Electronics Field Crews
energize site near the low water
crossing at Jorgensen Road.
More Flooded Roadway Warning System photos
For additional information about High Sierra Electronics Advance Flood,
High Wind, Visibility and Road Ice Warning Systems for traffic safety,
please contact:
Eric Gibbons
ITS Product & Project Manager
800-275-2080
Mid-Atlantic/Northeastern Sales Manager - September 2007
We are pleased to announce the hiring of John Palmer as HSE's East
Coast Sales Manager. John's 20+ years of experience in technical
sales and service complements our desire to provide local, regionalized
sales and product support to our East Coast customers.
John's most recent assignment was with Fairfax County, VA where he
focused on stormwater management projects and helped the County
implement a flood warning system. He has extensive training,
education and experience in electronics and computer hardware. He
has held senior engineering positions with McData Corporation,
Westvaco Corporation, and Memorex Corporation. His technical
knowledge and customer support experience will be key in providing
sales assistance throughout the region.
Please join us in welcoming John Palmer to our team!
John Palmer
301-530-4544
East Coast Region:
Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware,
Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and
Rhode Island.
Outstanding Service Award
The National Hydrologic Warning Council has chosen Frank Gutierrez
as the recipient of the 2007 Outstanding Service Award for his many
contributions and accomplishments in ALERT/Emergency Management.
His knowledge and emergency management experience are exemplary,
especially following Hurricane Katrina and Rita. He leads by example
and many people find his enthusiasm and dedication both inspiring and
motivating. He has worked hard to build authentic relationships, and as
a result, he has served consecutive terms as President, Vice President,
and Treasurer of the Southwestern Association of ALERT Systems. His
peers have also named him President of the Gulf Coast Emergency
Management Association.
Export Achievement Award
High Sierra Electronics recently attended The Tenth Annual Capital City
Consular Corps Luncheon hosted by the U.S. Dept of Commerce where
Kathy Slouber, President received the Export Achievement Award.
Dr. David Sampson, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Dept of Commerce
presented Kathy the award. High Sierra Electronics was one of two
companies to be honored by the U.S. Dept of Commerce for outstanding
accomplishments in the global marketplace.
From left to right: Dr. David Sampson, Deputy Secretaryetary
U.S. Dept of Commerce; Kathy Slouber, President of HSE;
and George Tastard, Director U.S. Export Assistance Center.
New Sales Manager, South Central/Southeast USA
High Sierra Electronics is pleased to announce an exciting addition to its
sales management team. Frank Gutierrez joins us as Sales Manager,
South Central/Southeast USA.
Frank brings over twenty years of experience in hydrologic warning
systems and emergency management. Most recently, Frank held the
position of Department Head of the Office of Homeland Security and
Emergency Management for Harris County, TX. Over the years he was
responsible for the development, operation, and maintenance of Harris
County's award-winning ALERT advance flood warning system, which
included rainfall, wind and other weather monitoring systems,
roadway weather monitoring and flooded roadway warning systems.
Prior to that, Frank completed 18 years of service with the U.S.G.S.
He is a founding member of the Southwestern Association of ALERT
Systems and has served as President of the Texas Gulf Coast
Emergency Management Association.
Frank offers a great deal of industry knowledge and experience, and
HSE is privileged to have him on board. Please join us in welcoming
Frank to the team!
Frank Gutierrez
817-350-3088
South Central / Southeast Region:
Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia,
South Carolina, Florida, and Puerto Rico.
