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Table Of Contents
Message from the Chairman
December 2002 APTA Survey Confirms Recession Hurt Transit Marketplace
Annual Business Members Meeting Set for January 22
to 26
EXPO 2002 Exceeds Expectations
Di Giacomo Plays to Win
Biedar Comes Out on Top
Message from the Chairman
What’s in Store For 2003
By Bill Lochte, Bombardier
"Accept the challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration
of victory."
(General George S. Patton)
These words of wisdom by General Patton are, in my opinion,
consistently reflected in the attitude and general workethic of your Business
Member Board of Governors (BMBG), a diverse cross-section of experienced
supply-side executives linked by a common goal to improve and expand public
transportation services so that all Americans have the freedom to choose
to travel where and when they want.
APTA is currently supported by more than 1,470 members –
of which approximately 58% are business members. The 25 elected members
of the BMBG are a receptive and effective body of doers, dedicated to
working for the common good of our industry. In addition, they work to
advance the business interests of APTA’s supply-side membership. Simply
stated, our role is to serve you and facilitate greater business member
involvement in APTA.
The focus in the upcoming year for the BMBG includes the
following major initiatives:
Reauthorization – When the 108th Congress convenes
in early 2003, the reauthorization effort will move into high gear. Supported
by our innovative PT2 program, the business members must marshal our combined
energy and influence (the power of employment) to win the day on this
most critical initiative. APTA’s TEA 21 reauthorization proposal represents
more than $65 billion for transit projects for the next six years.
Changing Procurement Practices – It is important
to continue the fine work already in progress in this area. Issues under
review consist of developing a “best practice” recommendation in the important
area of contract terms and conditions, as well as the development of a
procurement primer for use by transit managers… just to name a few.
Inclusion of More Business Members – A major revision
of APTA’s bylaws occurred in 1997 giving business members broader access
to key leadership positions inside the association. We are now eligible
to hold vice chair seats for Management & Finance, Research & Technology,
Human Resources, Marketing and Canadian Members, as well as the Secretary-
Treasurer position on the Executive Committee. The majority of our transit
agency colleagues believe in the value of parity for business members,
but it is up to us to step up to the opportunity of leadership and help
guide our association’s future.
Development of a 5-Year Strategic Plan for the BMBG
– A core initiative this year, which will specifically require your involvement,
will be the development of a plan to improve our vital mission of supporting
and promoting the interests of its members. I anticipate that the plan
will address fundamental principles such as: the overall role of business
members in APTA; how services can be improved and made more relevant to
private sector members; and defining and adapting the evolving relationship
between the buyers and sellers in our industry to improve our partnering
effort on common issues of interest.
Our process will include scheduled “listening sessions”
at upcoming APTA conferences to assure an efficient forum to receive your
individual feedback. We need to know what you think! We will be sending
you a survey in early January to get input into the planning process –
please take a few minutes to give us your views. What do you like and
don’t like relative to your membership in APTA? What about APTA works
best for your firm and what doesn’t work? What can we do as your business
member representatives at APTA to make the organization more responsive
to your business needs?
The organizational launch for the planning process will
begin at our annual meeting in Las Croabas, Puerto Rico, January 22 to
26, 2003. Any APTA business member is welcome to attend this meeting and
we hope you give it serious consideration. I am particularly pleased that
FTA Administrator Jenna Dorn is planning to join us. Her leadership acumen,
candor and real desire to streamline public/private contracting practices
guarantees a dynamic and worthwhile session for all attendees.
I hope you agree that General Patton would be proud of the
challenges your BMBG has accepted for the coming year and its sincere
desire to make a positive contribution for the benefit of our industry
and all members of APTA.
Your representatives on the BMBG are listed below. Feel
free to contact any of them with any concerns or innovative ideas you
may have.
December 2002 APTA Survey
Confirms Recession Hurt Transit Marketplace
By Cliff Henke, North American Bus Industries
A recent survey of APTA operating members confirmed what
the supply side has known for a while: The 2001 to 2002 economic recession
in the U.S. also produced a slump in the public transportation equipment
and services marketplace.
The survey, which was conducted in August and September
of this year by APTA’s Statistics and Research Department, found that
42% of systems that participated in the survey had to delay their capital
programs and more than half reported they reduced their administrative
expenses. More than one-third (35%) said they implemented hiring freezes
or reduced staff. Finally, 11% reported that they deferred maintenance,
even though it is generally agreed that such a step should be done only
as a last resort.
The APTA research staff sent out 350 surveys to transit
systems in the U.S. and Canada. One hundred and fourteen responses were
received, for a response rate of 33%. Although that rate might seem disappointing,
the sample was a good cross-section of the industry, including 23 large
agencies (those with more than 30 million unlinked passenger trips per
year), 31 medium-size systems (5 million to 30 million annual trips) and
60 small systems (those with fewer than 5 million trips per year).
While the actions reported by the survey participants don’t
quantify directly the depth or nature of the impact on demand for public
transportation equipment and services, it helps explain where the pinch
has been felt most and what forces are driving the slump in our markets.
Understandably, the biggest impact has been felt by large transit systems.
Nearly all (91%) the large agencies participating in the study said they
have had to cut administrative expenses and 65% have had to delay capital
programs, compared with 41% and 36% of the rest of the participants, respectively.
The immediate future has already been affected as well.
Thirty-nine percent of all participants delayed the implementation of
new service, 18% abandoned portions of their networks and 17% reduced
their fleet sizes.
Exactly how the economic slump has forced the supply side
has forced the supply side’s customers to these actions was also covered
in the survey. For example, 64% of transit agencies reported ridership
declines, with about 74% of large systems reporting the same. More than
half (54%) of the agencies reported a decline in local funding, which
affects both operating budgets and the local match required in federally
assisted capital programs. Again, large agencies were disproportionately
affected, as 61% reported state and local funding cutbacks. Perhaps this
last point best explains a public transportation goods and services slump
in an era of continued increases in federal capital funding.
For those who would like to receive the full survey report,
contact APTA�fs chief economist, Dr. Larry Pham, at lpham@apta.com.
Annual Business Members Meeting Set for January 22 to 26
By Fran Hooper, APTA
If you haven’t done so already, keep your calendar open
January 22 to 26, 2003, for the APTA Business Member Board of Governors’
(BMBG) annual business meeting/retreat at the El Conquistador Resort in
Puerto Rico. This year’s retreat promises to be especially productive,
as the board will launch a strategic planning process for APTA’s business
member activities.
Also on the agenda for the meeting will be discussions on
a wide range of APTA programs and activities, and how APTA business members
are involved. Particularly important among those will be the industry’s
efforts to reauthorize the landmark TEA 21 law, which will expire at the
end of September 2003.
All APTA business members are encouraged to attend the annual
business meeting, whether they are part of the BMBG or not. In fact, it
would be a very good way to begin participation in business member activities,
since much of the work program for the group is decided at this annual
event.
FTA Administrator Jenna Dorn has accepted the BMBG’s invitation
to attend the meeting, and she will share information on various administration
issues, in particular her agency’s ridership initiative and its recent
efforts to address private sector concerns with procurement issues and
Buy America requirements. Puerto Rico’s Secretary of Transportation Jose
M. Izquierdo will also attend the meeting. In addition, Ricardo Alvarez,
project director for San Juan’s rapid transit project Tren Urbano, will
provide a briefing and tour of the project. APTA Chair Celia Kupersmith
and President Bill Millar will lead a discussion of current APTA initiatives,
specifically reauthorization.
Meeting four times a year, the BMBG was established to direct
activities for APTA’s business members and develop policy recommendations
to the APTA Executive Committee regarding issues of concern to APTA’s
private sector members. The January meeting provides an opportunity for
more in-depth discussions as well as networking opportunities. Activities
have also been arranged for guests of APTA members.
Details about the January meeting program and hotel information
are www.apta.com/cmmtt/business or by contacting Fran Hooper, APTA staff
advisor to the BMBG, at (202) 496-4876 or fhooper@apta.com.
|
Mark Your Calendars!
The other BMBG meetings during 2003 will coincide with APTA’s major
meetings. They will take place:
March 9 during the Legislative Conference in Washington,
D.C.
June 8 during the APTA Rail Conference in San Jose, Calif.
September 28 during the APTA Annual Meeting in Salt Lake
City, Utah
|
EXPO 2002 Exceeds Expectations
By Fran Hooper, APTA
EXPO 2002 was the biggest and best APTA trade show yet,
according to all indicators. Overall attendance in Las Vegas totaled 17,280
compared to attendance in Orlando three years ago, which totaled 15,035.
Two surveys were conducted: one of attendees and the other
of exhibitors. The exhibitor survey is being completed as Business In
Motion goes to press, but preliminary results from the attendee survey
are available. From the 502 attendee interviews administered on the show
floor the key findings were:
-
The Las Vegas Annual Meeting and EXPO was rated 3.56 on a 4.0 scale,
compared to 3.57 for Orlando.
-
Forty percent of the attendees at EXPO were there for the first time,
consistent with the Orlando numbers.
The three most important reasons given for attending the EXPO were
to see the exhibits (69%), new products (66%) and networking (53%).
Annual meeting attendees came for the exhibits (68%) and the educational
sessions (61%).
On the issue of purchasing, 62% of the attendees recommend exhibited
products, one in three specify them and almost half have final say in
the decision to purchase.
Almost four in five attendees found new suppliers and more than 40%
decided to purchase products because of what they saw exhibited at the
EXPO.
This EXPO was attended by a higher percentage of management personnel 53%, compared to 41% in Orlando.
Di Giacomo Plays to Win
Frank Di Giacomo became a part of the transportation industry
in 1981, when he was hired by Bobit Publishing as eastern sales manager
for METRO Magazine. In 1991, he took on a new role as publisher of METRO.
As
publisher, Di Giacomo sets the direction and tone of the magazine, both
in marketing and sales as well as editorially. He works closely with several
departments, including circulation, production, marketing, editorial and
sales. Di Giacomo has helped grow the magazine by promoting issues critical
to the bus and rail industry through articles and editorials. “It’s important
from the magazine’s standpoint that we represent the business members
within the magazine and also promote the issues for APTA,” says Di Giacomo.
It was through his association with the magazine that he
became involved with the BMBG, where he has held a seat since 1992. On
his role with the BMBG, Di Giacomo says it is important for him to develop
relationships on all levels, to be aware of the latest developments that
directly effect the industry and to convey those developments through
the pages of METRO. “My continuing role with the BMBG is to represent
the entire industry,” says Di Giacomo.
He presently chairs the bylaws committee and the history
committee, for which he meticulously maintains a running chronicle of
the personnel and deliberative actions of the BMBG. Di Giacomo also sits
on the EXPO and outreach committees. His responsibilities on the outreach
committee include the role of associate publisher of the BMBG newsletter,
Business in Motion. “I’m just trying to make a contribution to make things
better for the industry,” says Di Giacomo of his publishing role and association
with the BMBG.
He was recently awarded the honor of Outstanding Public
Transportation Business Member at APTA’s 2002 EXPO in Las Vegas.
On a personal level, he spends most of his time playing
golf, which he says, is not just for the fun of it.h Di Giacomo, competitive
at heart, is a former Senior Club Champion of his country club and also
plays in many amateur events. "I have the pleasure of playing golf
with many business associates. I feel you find out a lot about the individual.
By no means do I condone playing customer golf," says Di Giacomo
with a laugh.
Biedar Comes Out on Top
“Never give up and don’t be afraid to ask for help,” says
Patricia Biedar, president and CEO of Priority Manufacturing Inc. Those
words of wisdom helped Biedar bring her struggling sheet metal company
back from the brink to become a viable and diverse corporation that was
a designee of the "Blue Chip Enterprise" award in 1995.
Biedar’s
introduction to the transportation industry was not a planned one. In
1986, Biedar’s husband passed away suddenly, leaving the fate of the family
business in her hands. With her home and savings pledged to the business,
Bieder took hold of the company reins as a way of survival. Although Biedar
worked hard to learn the business, the company still floundered. All of
that changed when Biedar got some much needed help from a business associate
after confiding that she was ready to give up. Working from a new business
blueprint, Biedar and her daughter, Patte, worked diligently to turn the
company around, making it profitable in three-and-a-half years.
Bieder helped grow Priority, with nearly 50 employees, into
a multi-million dollar business diversified into bus, rail, agricultural
and aircraft parts. “I personally take a lot of pride in the parts we
make. I get so excited when I know that we are making something special
for a manufacturer,” she says.
It is also through her participation with APTA that Biedar
saw new business opportunities, compelling her to diversify the company
into manufacturing parts for the bus and rail industries. Biedar’s involvement
with APTA began as an exhibitor during the Expo in New Orleans. She has
since been a member of APTA’s Board of Directors and has served on the
awards, nominating and leadership committees. Current committees Biedar
serves on include the diversity and procurement task force, where she
finds her role representing the small businessperson rewarding. On the
business members’ side, she has served as Director of the Business Members
Board since 1998 and she is also involved with the member services and
outreach committees. “It is important for members to participate and to
be visible,” Biedar says.
In her spare time, Biedar likes to travel with a close group
of friends on what she calls "unusual trips." Her most recent
adventures include rafting down the Colorado River and sailing. Biedar,
who calls Mount Prospect, Ill., home, spends an "enormous amount
of time with my three children. They are my best friends. We do so much
together ' we bike, hike and swim together."
BMBG Contacts
William D. Lochte,
Chair Bombardier Transportation
(715) 477-1998
wlochte@transport.bombardier.com
Kim R. Green,
1st Vice Chair
GFI GENFARE
(847) 593-8855 x422
kim.green@gfigenfare.spx.com
Delon Hampton,
2nd Vice Chair Delon Hampton & Associates, Chartered
(202) 898-1999
drhampton@delonhampton.com
Alan C. Wulkan,
Past Chair Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc.
(480) 966-8295
wulkan@pbworld.com
John S. Andrews
Motor Coach Industries
(847) 285-2100
john.andrews@mcicoach.net
Patricia A. Biedar
Priority Manufacturing, Inc. (PMI)
(630) 766-7676
patricia.biedar@prioritymfginc.com
Linda J. Bohlinger
HNTB Corporation
(213) 403-1050
lbohlinger@hntb.com
Raul V. Bravo
Raul V. Bravo + Associates, Inc.
(703) 326-9092
raulbravo@rvba.com
Annemarie Chenoweth
NEOPLAN USA CORPORATION
(303) 451-5305 x28
maraco@neoplanusa.com
Richard C. Clair
First Transit, Inc.
(513) 684-8701
rich.clair@firstgroupamerica.com
Frank Di Giacomo
METRO Magazine - Bobit Publishing Co.
(856) 596-0999
frank.digiacomo@bobit.com
Nuria I. Fernandez
EARTH TECH
(703) 706-0516
nuria_fernandez@earthtech.com
Sharon Greene
Sharon Greene and Associates
(714) 669-9222
greenesga@aol.com
Brigid Hynes-Cherin
Parsons Corporation
(202) 775-3339
brigid.hynescherin@
parsons.com
Reba Malone
Reba Malone and Associates
(210) 532-1885
Brian E. McMurray Daytech Mfg. Ltd.
(416) 675-1195
bmcmurray@daytechmfg.com
Lawrence E. Miller
Gannett Fleming, Inc.
(206) 467-6072
lemiller@gfnet.com
Jolene M. Molitoris
GeoFocus
(561) 955-1482
jmolitoris@geofocus.com
Donald N. Nelson
Washington Group
(212) 268-3023
donald.nelson@wgint.com
Jerome C. Premo
DMJM+HARRIS an AECOM Company
(562) 981-2950
jerry.premo@dmjmharris.com
James J. Ray
LUMINATOR a Division of Mark IV IDS
(972) 516-3104
jray@luminatorusa.com
Jean-Pierre Ruiz
TALGO
(206) 748-6140
jruiz@talgo-inc.com
John D. Satterfield
Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc.
(703) 802-2100 x39
john.satterfield@cubic.com
Jim Srygley
S & A Systems, Inc.
(972) 722-1009
jim.srygley@fleetwatch.com
Charles R. Wochele
ALSTOM Transportation Inc.
(607) 281-2487
chuck.wochele@transport.alstom.com
Franny Yuhas
Orbital TMS
(443) 259-7210
yuhas.franny@orbital.com
Past Chairs
Bernard J. Ford
McDonough Associates, Inc.
(312) 946-7103
bford@maiengr.com
Robert L. Graham
EPRI
(650) 855-2556
rgraham@epri.com
Del D. Komejan
Q’Straint
(954) 986-6665
dkomejan@qstraint.com
Brian Macleod
GILLIG Corporation
(510) 785-1500
bmacleod@gillig.com
Stephanie L. Pinson
Gilbert Tweed Associates, Inc.
(212) 758-3000
spinson@gilberttweed.com
Claude G. Robinson
Robinson & Associates
(616) 285-4747
David L. Turney
RTI, Inc.; a dri Company
(214) 378-9429
davet@digrec.com
Honorary
Robert C. Buchanan
Orion Bus Industries Inc.
(703) 425-3464
buchanbj@aol.com
Dan M. Reichard Jr.
GFI GENFARE
(847) 593-8855 x422
dreichard@insight.rr.com
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