Monday, March 9

The “Insider” Perspective for the Transit Industry

Presiding:

• Sharon Greene, vice chair-business members, APTA, and principal, Sharon Greene and Associates, Laguna Beach, CA

Featured Speaker:

• The Honorable Patrick McCrory, mayor, Charlotte, North Carolina

Opening General Session: What’s Ahead for Transit–New Opportunities in 2009

Washington Welcome:

Presiding:

• J. Barry Barker, vice chair-government affairs, APTA, and executive director, Transit Authority of River City, Louisville, KY

President’s Welcome:

• William W. Millar, president, APTA

Remarks from APTA Chair:

• Beverly A. Scott, Ph.D., chair, APTA, and general manager, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Atlanta, GA
• Featured Speaker:
• The Honorable James L. Oberstar (D-MN), chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC

Expanding the Transit Coalition: Partners in the Authorization Debate

Presiding:

• William L. Volk, chair, APTA Legislative Committee, and managing director, Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, Champaign, IL

Featured Speaker:

• The Honorable John W. Hickenlooper, mayor, Denver, Colorado and chair, Transportation and Communications Committee, U.S. Conference of Mayors, Washington, DC

Panelists:

• James Corless, campaign director, Transportation for America, Washington, DC
• Warren S. George, international president, Amalgamated Transit Union, Washington, DC
• John Horsley, executive director, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, DC
• Dale Marsico, executive director, Community Transportation Association of America, Washington, DC

Update from U.S. DOT

 Presiding:

• William W. Millar, president, APTA

Featured Speaker:

• The Honorable Ray LaHood, secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC

Afternoon General Session: View from the Hill

Moderator:

• William L. Volk, chair, APTA Legislative Committee, and managing director, Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, Champaign, IL

Panelists:

• Kate Hallahan, majority clerk, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
• Shannon Hines, professional staff member, Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC
• Peter Rogoff, majority clerk, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC
• Joyce Rose, minority staff director, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
• Amy Scarton, majority counsel, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
• Mitch Warren, majority professional staff member, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC

Climate Change, Sustainability, Energy Policy, and Public Transportation

Moderator:

• Marlene B. Connor, chair, APTA Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee; vice chair, APTA Systems Management and Operations Planning Subcommittee; and director of public transportation, Wilbur Smith Associates, Holyoke, MA

Panelists:

• Matthew Welbes, executive director and acting deputy administrator, Federal Transit Administration, Washington, DC
• Beth Osborne, legislative assistant, Office of Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), U.S. Senate, Washington, DC
• Blair Anderson, legislative director, Office of Representative John W. Olver (D-MA), U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
• David Gardiner, president, David Gardiner & Associates, LLC, Washington, DC

Commuter and High-speed Intercity Passenger Rail Issues

Moderator:

• Rod Diridon, chair, APTA High Speed & Intercity Rail Committee, and executive director, Mineta Transportation Institute

Panelists:

• Jennifer Esposito, majority staff director, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representative, Washington, DC
• Stephen Gardner, majority professional staff member, Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC
• Mike Meenan, minority counsel, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representative, Washington, DC
• Jo Strang, acting deputy administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, Washington, DC

Tuesday, March 10

Morning General Session: Get Started With Members of Congress Breakfast

Presiding:

•  J. Barry Barker, vice chair-government affairs, APTA, and executive director, Transit Authority of River City, Louisville, KY  

Featured Speakers:       

• The Honorable Peter DeFazio (D-OR), chairman, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of
  Representatives, Washington, DC
• The Honorable John Mica (R-FL), ranking member, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
• The Honorable Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), member, Committee on Ways and
  Means, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
• The Honorable Christopher Dodd (D-CT), chairman, Committee on Banking,
  Housing and Urban Affairs, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC
• The Honorable Corrine Brown (D-FL), chairman, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC