MOB Traffic picks up the pace for another record-setting year. 

Even when you manage the largest privately owned traffic management and barricade company in the region, success isn’t a given. It has to be worked for, day in and day out, as individuals and as a team. Nobody appreciates this more than Lindsay Kullman, who was promoted to general manager about sixteen months ago.

“I was originally named interim general manager in June of that year, which felt like a lot as the company had just celebrated its tenth anniversary,” says Kullman. “And yet, I was fortunate to inherit an exceptionally supportive and knowledgeable management team. The transition went incredibly smooth, with the MOB Traffic partners inviting me to dinner two months later and offering me the position.”

Kullman was already primed for the job. She was an assistant general manager for a year, focusing on the office while Terry Alo ran operations. As time passed, Kullman cross-trained in operations to ensure the company could manage seamlessly when the general manager wasn’t available. 

“Basically, I continued to do what I had always done — learning everything I could about my position and how it related to other positions,” said Kullman. “Even when I worked in accounts payable and payroll, I learned everything I could, made suggestions, drafted policies, and became involved in day-to-day decisions. It’s one of the reasons I was promoted to assistant general manager, giving me a chance to learn from someone who was honest and tough in a way that I wasn’t, yet so kind and understanding in a way I wanted to be.”

Last year, Kullman had more than one opportunity to quickly demonstrate she possessed comparable qualities, helping MOB Traffic reach several milestones. Not only did the company grow, it reached a new fleet milestone and was responsible for managing the largest special event footprint in Las Vegas history. And it was able to accomplish this feat during some unique circumstances. 

While it is developing a parcel of land for its new headquarters near Las Vegas Boulevard and Pecos Road in North Las Vegas over the next two years, MOB Traffic is operating out of three — soon to be four — locations. Some employees had also worked remotely as MOB Traffic secured each new office. 

“Fortunately, we had developed a great communication system after answering the state’s call to service during the public health crisis caused by COVID,” Lindsay said. “The crisis taught us how to effectively work remotely, relying on radios, telephones, and email. We’ve also improved this model by linking our locations, enabling our customer care team to print a document for a supervisor or manager at another office, for example.” 

Kullman admits that face-to-face communication can be a bit more complex, especially within a company known for looking out for each other like family. She says the management team tries to visit each location whenever possible, even though it’s easy to be too head's down and task focused with more than 120 job tickets a day. 

“Las Vegas is a dynamic city with unique needs, so most of those jobs support construction companies working on new development and infrastructure maintenance, says Kullman. “But we are also well known for our specialty work on special events, especially large-scale signature events. We can accommodate them because our teams — customer care, special events, and operations — have a great working relationship, supporting each other whenever possible.” 

Kullman says her primary goal this year is to implement more training. This includes safety, which is always a priority in traffic management, and increasing interdepartmental and team awareness so every employee has a sense of how vital they are within the company and can better support each other when the need arises.

“My vision for MOB Traffic is to continue our success while creating a space where individuals, temporary or career oriented, know they are important to our work,” Kullman said. “I want us to be awarded the contracts our team wants to earn, not because we need it but because it affirms we’re the best team for the jobs we take.” 

As MOB Traffic continues to grow, Kullman says there is always a need for new employees. Currently, MOB Traffic is looking for experienced and qualified traffic control technicians, flaggers, shop personnel, and an additional administrator for the planning department via the Masters of Barricades careers page. 

“When I was first hired by MOB Traffic eight years ago, I was hired to do part-time administrative work, sitting at a tiny desk in the entryway of our old offices,” said Kullman. “After a few weeks, I was asked to help build the next day’s schedule using a borrowed computer. After a few months, COO Jason Woods pulled me into the office. Now, mind you, I thought I was in trouble because this was the same guy who had to reschedule my orientation after I left my wallet at a gas station clear across town. I wasn’t in trouble. He surprised me by offering me a full-time job.”

It wouldn’t be her last surprise at MOB Traffic. CEO Jeff Ames was adamant she schedule a ride along to “see” the work, which isn’t uncommon given that every MOB Traffic founder and manager started their traffic control career doing small jobs — filling sandbags, driving trucks, or doing odd jobs in the shop or warehouse. 

“I joined Bill Shepherd at 1:30 a.m. expecting to ride along and was given the assignment instead. Of course, he helped me get the work done and explained why we needed certain equipment, why time restrictions exist, and why playing in traffic can be fun,” said Kullman. “Oddly enough, it was also the first time I saw a sunrise over Lake Las Vegas and discovered the best sandwich I’ve ever had at a gas station.”

Kullman adds that it is memories like these — along with working with what she calls the most unique, brilliant, and hardworking individuals — that helped her fall in love with the company and traffic management. She believes the company has set the right culture and pace for an amazing year ahead.

“I am stoked we made it through all of the changes, and it still feels like working with a family,” she said. “I’m sure there will be more hiccups as we continue to grow along the way, but I’m grateful that the team I have is the team I know can meet those challenges.”