About AWP
Area Wide Protective (AWP) is America’s Traffic Control Leader
Our commitment to traffic safety directly reflects our mission, which is to protect your people, your business, and your time. We deliver comprehensive traffic management services in support of infrastructure projects, construction, and utility work that improve roadways and communities across the country. We specialize in supplying the manpower to guide traffic safety around work zones. We also provide consultation and traffic design services, as well as traffic control equipment.
Our teams are dedicated, day in and day out, to making roads safer. Through our continued growth, AWP has acquired Safety First, Traffic Safety Rentals, Advantage Barricade & Roadmarks, Statewide Safety Systems, and Trafficade traffic control companies. Together, our family of brands are committed to improving traffic control across the areas we serve.
Service Areas
Area Wide Protective has 155 locations that provide traffic control services across 27 U.S. states and 4 Canadian provinces. Our expansive geographic footprint allows many AWP customers the convenience of using one provider for projects in multiple locations. We like to say that we’re local – everywhere. Our mission is to make roads safer, and if you don’t see your area on this list, call us. Your business could be the reason we expand service to a new region. America’s roads and work zone professionals need and deserve AWP protection.
We Are Committed to Safety.
As a company, and as a team, AWP is dedicated to safety in everything we do.
Our Mission is Protection
We Protect
Your People
At AWP, safety is our primary focus. We provide the most comprehensive training and certification of traffic safety personnel in the industry. Your people will be protected by:
Safe Teams
We are safety-minded and professional.
Safe Work Zones
We make sure your employees have fewer accidents and injuries.
Safe Equipment
Our traffic safety equipment exceeds regulations.
We Protect
Your Business
With AWP, your business is secure. You will benefit from:
Less Risk
We lower your costs and your risk with services covered by industry-leading insurance.
More Reach
Our large footprint helps you simplify outsourcing with one provider.
Better Reputation
Our reputation as a national traffic control leader can enhance your customer relationships.
We Protect
Your Time
AWP understands your time is your money. We strive to work as efficiently as possible:
Reliable Processes
Enjoy accurate invoicing and 24/7 access to your up-to-date project information through our use of tablet technology.
Reliable Performance
Experienced project managers ensure your jobs run smoothly.
Reliable Partner
We are honest, transparent, and available 24/7/365.
Customer Testimonials
“They are a top-notch outfit, and their biggest concern was our employees safety. They showed up timely and made sure the site was secure before allowing our employees in the road. Considering the work area is S. Saunders St and I-40 this was not an easy task. I can highly recommend AWP & will not hesitate to use them again.”
– Ricardo Hernandez
Site Supervisor, City of Raleigh
Technology & Innovations
Raising the bar of industry standards through technological advances is one of the many ways AWP protects our customers. We are continually seeking out technology enhancements to stay at the forefront of industry best practices, and to better serve you.
AWP Leadership
Robert Sehnert
President and CEO
Rob is focused on growing AWP’s leadership as a full-service traffic management provider throughout North America. He is responsible for driving organizational strategy and performance as AWP expands its capabilities and footprint to serve utility, telecommunication and roadway customers.
Before being named president and CEO in 2021, Rob served as AWP’s chief integration officer, overseeing the blending of strategic acquisitions into AWP operations. Prior to joining AWP, he held senior-level and executive roles for 14 years at Wabtec Corporation, a global freight services provider, and held a variety of sales and marketing positions at other firms. Rob is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and served for 10 years as a Naval Special Operations Officer.
Jarrod Wachter
Chief Operating Officer
Jarrod leads day-to-day operations in support of customer needs and AWP’s business plan. He oversees AWP’s business model at the enterprise level to ensure safe, efficient and reliable traffic control solutions are delivered across the company’s footprint.
Before being named COO in 2019, Jarrod served as AWP’s vice president of field operations with a focus on managing service delivery. Prior to joining AWP, he was a regional manager for Asplundh Construction Corp., one of the largest electrical utility contractors in the U.S. Jarrod also worked as vice president of operations at Midwest Electric, a regional industrial and utility electrical contractor focused on overhead and underground distribution construction and light transmission construction for investor-owned utilities headquartered in Ohio. Jarrod is a graduate of the University of Dayton.
Michael Shearer
Chief Human Resource Officer
Michael leads all human resource activities in support of AWP’s business goals and strategies. Responsibilities include overseeing talent acquisition and development, building a robust leadership pipeline and managing competitive pay and benefits. He also optimizes AWP’s organizational structure to support effective operations.
Before joining AWP as CHRO in 2021, Michael served as the vice president of human resources for Shearer’s Foods, the largest supplier of private brand salty snacks in the U.S. with a national footprint of production facilities. He also worked as a senior human resources manager at Graco Children’s Products, a division of Rubbermaid, and as an area employee relations manager for Coca-Cola. Michael is a graduate of Bowling Green State University.
Phil Halsch
Chief Revenue Officer
Phil is charged with driving AWP’s organic growth by leading the company’s sales and marketing activities with focused market strategy, customer engagement, sales penetration and brand enhancement.
Josh Martin
Vice President, Technology
Josh directs all aspects of information technology, infrastructure, system and software initiatives at AWP. He has overall responsibility for delivering enabling technologies that improve the customer experience and help AWP teams work more efficiently.
Josh joined AWP in 2010, serving in a variety of leadership roles related to analytics, process improvement, customer billing and asset management before assuming his current role. He previously worked in strategic sourcing at First Energy, one of the largest investor-owned electric utility systems in the U.S. Josh is a graduate of the University of Akron.
Matthew Hunt
Chief Legal Officer
Matthew is the trusted legal advisor to the company’s leadership team and implements legal policies that protect the interests of AWP’s customers, workforce and business. He is responsible for all aspects of legal strategy, services and compliance.
Before joining AWP in 2021, Matthew was an attorney and director at Ohio law firm Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty for 13 years. At Krugliak, he specialized in corporate law, workers’ compensation and commercial litigation. Matthew is a graduate of the Case Western School of Law and John Carroll University.