Transit Ballot Initiatives Workshop Panelists

Dr. Bernard’s transportation-related research has focused disproportionately on testing the viability of counties successfully passing new (or renewing) sales tax measures to maintain and upgrade freeways/highways and local streets infrastructure and public transportation services. He has led such successful two-thirds efforts for Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority – Measure R (2008) and M (2016); and Santa Barbara County Association of Governments – Measure A (2008). He co-led successful efforts for the Imperial County Transportation Commission’s Measure D (2008) and Washington State’s Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority’s Proposition 1 (simple majority) in 2008. He has also worked with Fresno County Transportation Authority, Nevada County Transportation Commission, the Riverside County Transportation Commission, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, and the Ventura County Transportation Commission on related feasibility research.

Further, he has extensive experience providing transportation-related research on transit, long range transportation plans, agency branding, non-vehicular modes of transportation, and policy issues and user experience for the Bay Area Rapid Transit District, C40, the California Transit Association, the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Culver City Downtown Business Association, Fixing Angelenos Stuck in Traffic (FAST), North Natomas Jibe, Orange County’s Transportation Corridor Agencies, Riverside Transit Authority, Southern California Regional Rail Authority, and the Southern California Association of Governments, among others.

Dr. Bernard is a former City of West Hollywood transportation commissioner (2015-2017).

Education: Richard Bernard received an Honors B.A. at York University, a M.A. at McGill University, and a Ph.D. at UCLA in Sociology.

With almost three decades in the political arena, Ruth understands the strategic challenges of partisan battles, top two primaries, instant run-off voting, supermajority vote thresholds and more. She is especially proud her work helping to elect women and people of color to elected office and securing voter approval for education, transportation, minimum wage increases and environmental protection.

Ruth also leads social marketing, policy, and brand awareness studies with government agencies, nonprofit and Fortune 500 companies. She has provided research-based, actionable guidance in a wide variety of topic areas including water conservation, travel and tourism, access to health care for the underserved, housing, energy, parks and open space and employee rights.

Ruth expanded her responsibilities and reach at EMC in 2018 when she took over as President and CEO.

Ruth came to EMC with hands-on campaign and nonprofit experience, and a BA degree in Economics from Smith College. She lives in San Francisco where she hikes, practices yoga, plans travel adventures for friends and family, passionately roots for the Giants and seeks out midcentury chairs as she studies to become an upholstering pollster.

Michael is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. He was honored by Walk Bike Nashville in 2019 with the Kibby Clayton Lifetime Achievement Award which recognizes someone who has made substantial contributions to make Nashville more walkable, bikeable, and livable. When possible, Michael takes the WeGo bus from Springfield in Robertson County and across Nashville.

He has led teams that have successfully championed tax referendum, competitive grants for infrastructure and low-emissions propulsion, agency turnarounds, bus network expansions, paratransit reforms, board governance reforms, financial rescues, introduced double-decker buses, and many other initiatives. He is passionate about helping staff and board teams reach their potential.

Before joining NEORide, Katherine was the Director of Planning at the Portage Area Regional Transit Authority and SARTA for a combined ten years.   During this time, Ms. Conrad received millions in federal and state grants, lead a full transit redesign project and created innovative new marketing and transit programs that have been replicated across the country. In addition, Katherine has been involved on government and lobbying efforts on the state and national level. Before coming to transit, Katherine was a Vice President Burges & Burges the leading strategic planning and political consulting firm in the State of Ohio. During her tenure, she lead multiple levy campaigns for public transit, libraries, school districts and directed multiple candidate campaigns.

Katherine is a graduate of the University of Akron with a master’s degree in public administration and an Undergraduate in Political Science.

I am a freelance Event Professional: Planner & Production, Events and Wedding Day-of Coordinator, Advance, Event Designer & Community Engagement Specialist.

Managing concept to execution, design, budget, setup, and onsite coordination/overview, end-to-end support and serve as client points of contact. Managing vendors, budgets, schedules, logistics and ensuring the events’ flow and success and handling any last-minute

Graduate of Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

I grew up in Pegram which is southwest of Nashville and has a population of about 2,000 people. Growing up on a dirt road in a town that had no public transit really galvanized me in terms of thinking about mobility. I learned early on that if you didn’t have the capacity to get from one place to the next, you’re stuck.

Even though I grew up in the country, I like living near a big city like Nashville. When I was younger, there wasn’t much to do back then in Nashville. I have loved seeing the growth over the years. It’s now a bright place full of activity and people. Walking down Broadway you hear different languages. The energy is second to none. I’m really hoping to see how we can continue improving livability and affordability by figuring out the mobility piece through achieving dedicated funding for transit and investing in updated infrastructure, transit services, and access.

My very first personal interaction with public transit didn’t begin until I was in my twenties. I was in Washington, DC and got to use the subway. At first, I found it confusing, but once I figured it out, I immediately realized what good transit service means for society. I truly believe that our individual freedoms are linked to mobility and that no one should be held back because they are dealing with a lack of access to viable public transit.

Right now, I live in the suburbs outside of Nashville. I take transit every chance I can, but the service is very infrequent. Sometimes, I’ll take a bus downtown to a concert, but the question that always lingers in my mind is whether I’ll be able to catch the bus back home. If I miss the last bus, I’m faced with a $40 or $50 rideshare cost to get back home.

Trust is paramount for our public transit system. What I’ve come to learn is that when you have fast, frequent service, people will use it. Once the service becomes unreliable and less frequent, people lose trust in the system and look to other sources to get around which almost always means relying on car travel. Trust can only be built when the system is on time and reliable. Over the past couple of decades, we’ve greatly underfunded our bus system, and mistrust has only grown among many.

Not funding public transit can severely impact the lives of our families, friends, and neighbors. When you don’t have access to public transit, you really are a hostage to your circumstance. If you can’t drive, have a disability, or can’t afford to buy a car, you are reliant on your family and friends to get anywhere and everywhere. If they aren’t available, you don’t get to go to work, the grocery store, or a doctor’s appointment. If you don’t have reliable public transit access, a normal day can seem like an endless logistical nightmare. If you can’t get to work on time or if your child can’t get to school, lack of access to good public transit exponentially compounds daily stress for our families.

If we committed to funding our public transit system, we could initiate a light rail service and support a bus rapid transit system that was supplemented with cross-town routes and connectors. Our goal would be to make all the routes frequent and reliable. We would also supplement this with a large network of accessible sidewalks and protected bike lanes and greenways. Having this type of investment would be life changing for thousands of families.

Meehan’s skill and enthusiasm for her work and clients shine through in every meticulously planned detail of each event. By focusing on creative conceptualization, her teams create spectacular experiences while ensuring that the planning process is stress-free.

Meehan’s work within the event industry gave her the opportunity to create event experiences hosted and attended by notable celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, Deepak Chopra, George Clooney, Reese Witherspoon, Sheryl Crow, Neil Young, and professional athletes from The New York Rangers, the US Olympic Snowboard Team, The US Pro Cycling Team and The Oklahoma City Thunder. She also served on the event team at The House of Representatives, hosting events for the Clintons, Bushes and other Heads of State.

Following a nomination to sit on a regional economic recovery task force during the COVID-19 pandemic, Meehan was elected to the Telluride Town Council and currently sits as Mayor Pro Tem, guiding and advising the community on the development of economic vitality principles and protections.

1. Strategic Leadership: Dwight has been instrumental in shaping SMART’s strategic initiatives, focusing on enhancing service efficiency and expanding access to public transportation across the region. His leadership is driven by a commitment to operational excellence and community engagement.
2. Innovative Solutions: Under his guidance, SMART has embraced technological innovations and smart solutions to improve rider experience and operational efficiency. This includes the implementation of advanced fare collection systems and real-time tracking technologies.
3. Advocacy for Public Transit: Dwight is a strong advocate for public transportation’s role in economic development and community building. He actively participates in national discussions on transit policy and works to secure necessary funding to support and expand transit services.

Dwight’s leadership at SMART and his previous roles in various transit authorities across the U.S. reflect his deep commitment to enhancing public transit systems to better serve communities.

Throughout her notable career, Jess has consistently demonstrated her ability to deliver successful outcomes. Her dedication and passion for enacting change are fueled by personal battles with medical debt, which have driven her determination to protect individuals and communities. Jess played a key role in passing Arizona’s Prop 209, a measure that safeguards residents from abusive debt collection practices, garnering overwhelming support with 72% of the vote.

As the Campaign Manager, Jess was instrumental in the success of Colorado’s 2024 Abortion Measure 79, which received a resounding 61.9% of the vote. Additionally, she played a vital role in defeating detrimental legislation in Arizona during the 2024 cycle. Her campaign expertise was pivotal in securing 65% voter support for Colorado’s Prop 106, and she demonstrated remarkable efficiency in executing California’s end-of-life choices legislation in just 1½ years, benefiting over 38 million people.

Residing in Missoula, Montana, she finds inspiration in her passions for art, cuisine, wine, rivers, and challenging the status quo. With Jess Grennan’s exceptional leadership and proven track record, she remains at the forefront of driving positive change through strategic ballot campaigns.

Prior to coming to Washington in June 1997, Mr. Guzzetti had 16 years of management experience with two of the nation’s leading public transportation systems: New Jersey Transit and the Port Authority of Allegheny County.

Mr. Guzzetti has a Political Science degree from Edinboro State University, and a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Among other position, he is the immediate past national president of the Transportation Research Forum. He has been married for 40 years and is father to four children and the grandfather of five.

During his service in local government, Hess was a champion for transportation policy and projects in the city. As chair of the area metropolitan planning organization, he oversaw the Long-Range Transportation Plan process that resulted in aspirational goals to triple the number of Missoulians who bike, walk, or take transit. He co-authored an awarding-winning complete streets policy, successfully lobbied for BUILD and RAISE Grant funding for transformative transportation projects, and worked with the previous mayor and Mountain Line, the local transit agency, to introduce zero-fare bus service to the community. He’s active in the effort to restore passenger rail service to southern Montana.

Aside from transportation, Hess led the city toward ambitious zero-waste and clean energy goals. He was instrumental in the acquisition of the city’s water utility from a private owner. He is steeped in the City of Missoula’s mission, strategic vision and culture and remains committed to the important work of local government since leaving office. He believes the best decisions are made in an atmosphere of collaboration with equity and sustainability in mind.

Concurrent with his City Council service, Hess spent nearly a decade as Director of Transportation at the University of Montana, where he led UM to be the first college campus in the nation to purchase and operate modern, fast-charging battery electric buses.

Since leaving elected office, Hess has remained active in civic life and works to positively influence public policy, transportation planning, and climate resiliency.

Eileen believes that Miami-Dade can be the best place on Earth to live, but only if we come together to solve our most pressing problems. This is why Eileen has always fought — and continues to fight — for resiliency in the face of a changing environment, common sense gun reforms to keep us safe, and programs that afford everyone an equal shot at the American Dream. From more reliable transportation to sea level rise, from affordable housing to better paying jobs, she is a champion for the policies that help everyone in our community succeed.

As the Commissioner for a district with stark inequality, she is dedicated to investing in our students, small business owners, and working families. Through her experience as a business owner, diplomat, and community advocate, she knows how to grow our economy and deliver prosperity for all.

After graduating from the University of New Mexico, Eileen got her start as an engineer in a blue jumpsuit at a heavy-duty manufacturing plant, where she learned to streamline processes and solve inefficiencies. She then earned her MBA from Cornell University, working as a marketing executive for some of the world’s largest brands.

This international business expertise would prove vital when, in 2006, she accepted a commission to serve as Country Director for Peace Corps Belize. As Director, she oversaw an 85-person team and revamped operations, developing new ways to understand local concerns and affect change in the Central American nation. She later continued her public service as a Foreign Service Officer in the State Department, working to improve the bilateral relationship with Mexico and implementing U.S. economic policy in South Africa.

Eileen’s breadth and depth of professional experience allows her to look at our local challenges in a unique way. Since moving to Miami following her diplomatic service, she’s joined various organizations and boards, including but not limited to the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), People Acting for Community Together (PACT), the Downtown Neighbors Alliance, Miami Climate Alliance, Sierra Club, League of Women Voters of Miami-Dade County, and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

When she’s not fighting for the families and individuals who call District 5 home, she enjoys exploring the different parts of Miami and taking in the natural beauty of our city. She’s an avid reader and user of public transportation, and loves combining the two when she rides the bus listening to an audiobook. If you spot her on your daily commute, she invites you to say hello and tell her your Miami story.

Kirk previously served as the Executive Director of Move Redmond. While there, he led the organization’s work to make it easier to walk, bike, and bus for the 100,000 people who go to work or school in Redmond, Washington. During his six years at TransitCenter, he developed the organization into a nationally recognized leader in transit policy. He advised mayors, county executives, and transit agencies on effective approaches to bus network redesigns and fare policy. He has spoken about ridership trends and what makes transit useful in national outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Wired, and Governing. In his spare time he loves film, cooking, croissants, and going on adventures by bike.

Mrs. Jones has nearly two decades of experience in the public relations industry and marketing industry. She has held several leadership roles at Metro, including SVP of external affairs and director of public relations. Prior to Metro, she served as an Account Coordinator at Kevin Wilson PR Agency.

Among her numerous volunteer roles, has served as president of the Cincinnati Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Chapter; the board of directors for the East Central District of PRSA; board member of Learning Grove, Inc,; member of the City of Cincinnati’s Families and Children Cabinet; and previously served as president of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (Cincinnati Chapter). She is a 2023 graduate of Leadership Cincinnati and a 2016 graduate of C-Change, both are Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce Leadership programs. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Cincinnati Chapter of The Links, Incorporated;

She has been recognized by PRNEWS as a “Top Women” Award recipient; PRSA Werner-Vonderharr-Bogart Awardee; “Forty Under 40” by the Cincinnati Business Courier, a “Top 40 Under 40” by Mass Transit Magazine, and is a recipient of numerous PRSA Blacksmith awards for her professional body of work, including being a member of the 2016 PRSA Communications Team of the Year.

Mrs. Jones holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations from Xavier University. She is an Accredited Public Relations professional.

Jared Kamrass is a graduate of Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati. In his spare time, he enjoys rooting for the Buckeyes, Bengals, Reds, Bearcats, Wizards, and FC Cincinnati.

Kincaid came to FTA from FMC, the association of former Members of Congress. Prior to that, he served in the Associate Administrator role at FTA in the last seven months of the Obama Administration. From 2009 to 2016, Kincaid worked in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served in communications roles with U.S. Reps. Michael Honda, Tony Cárdenas, Russ Carnahan and Elijah Cummings. Kincaid also served as policy advisor to Honda and Cárdenas.

Prior to joining the House of Representatives, Kincaid worked on federal elective campaigns throughout the country and was a broadcast news and sports journalist.

Kincaid earned a B.S. in Journalism and Telecommunications from the University of Florida, located in his hometown of Gainesville. He lives in Washington, D.C.

Before joining APTA in 2018, McCarragher served as Majority/Minority Chief Counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for 20 years. Prior to that, he served as Majority/Minority Counsel for the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and the Subcommittee on Economic Development and Public Buildings. In these roles, he has been directly involved in negotiating, drafting and supporting each of the public transit titles of the surface transportation legislation, starting with the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21) and up to and including the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act).

He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

A lifelong Michigan resident, Ms. Owens has experience with the University of Michigan’s School of the Environment, PIRGIM (the Public Interest Research Group in Michigan), the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit (class 31), the Michigan Nonprofit Association’s Executive Leadership Fellowship and the Center for Progressive Leadership.

He served as Hamilton County Clerk of Courts from 2016 to 2021 and was the first Democrat to hold this office in over 100 years. During his tenure, he brought modern and professional reforms to the Clerk’s office. He paid a living wage to all employees and become the first county officeholder in Ohio to offer comprehensive paid family leave. By ending nepotism, by cutting waste, and by making the office more professional, he saved taxpayers millions of dollars.

Mayor Aftab graduated from The Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati for law school. He resides in Clifton with his wife, Whitney, and their sons, Bodhi and Rami.

Kim’s practice focuses on delivering comprehensive legal counsel to her clients, encompassing areas such as contract negotiation, governance, securities, franchising and general corporate matters. She provides strategic guidance and representation throughout the entire spectrum of corporate legal matters, including mergers and acquisitions, project planning and public and private securities offerings. Kim has been recognized by various publications for her exceptional skills in navigating complex transactions. She leverages her deep understanding of legal intricacies, regulatory frameworks and market dynamics to safeguard her clients’ interests and facilitate successful outcomes.

Kim received her J.D. magna cum laude from the Duke University School of Law where she was a staff editor for the Journal of Law and Contemporary Problems. She received her B.S. summa cum laude from Miami University.

Prior to his tenure with HDR, Mike co-founded and served as CEO of InfraConsult LLC, a firm specialized in project development, program management and public-private partnerships. Previously, he enjoyed a 30-year tenure with industry leader Parsons Brinckerhoff (now WSP), where he led the transportation business group, chaired the strategic advisory practice, and served on the Board of Directors. Mike began his career in the public sector with the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

Mike is a member of the Board of Directors and past chair of the Committee on Public-Private Partnerships of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). He has been an active participant and leader in numerous professional organizations, including serving two terms on the international board of WTS, focused on advancing women in transportation. Mike is a recognized expert in the development and implementation of public-private partnerships and has directed numerous partnership programs since the 1980s as an owner, developer and advisor. He was recently recognized for his leadership and innovation in furthering the utilization of public-private partnerships in transportation by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA).

Skoutelas is a champion for the power of public transportation to create personal and economic opportunities for all and to connect and build thriving communities. He testifies often before Congress and is a frequent speaker on public transportation issues as APTA leads the industry’s transformation in the new mobility era.

Prior to joining APTA in 2018, Skoutelas served as senior vice president for WSP USA, one of the world’s largest architectural and engineering firms and national director of WSP USA’s Transit & Rail Technical Excellence Center. He also was chief executive officer at the Port Authority of Allegheny County (PAT), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX), Orlando, Florida.

Skoutelas serves on numerous boards and committees, including the Transportation Research Board, Mineta Transportation Institute, ENO Center for Transportation, Transportation Learning Center and the Alliance to Save Energy’s 50×50 Commission on U.S. Transportation Sector Efficiency. He is a member of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Executive Advisory Board on Smart Mobility and Carnegie Mellon University’s Mobility 21 Advisory Council.

He is also a long-time member of WTS International and the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO).

Skoutelas received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a licensed professional engineer.

Skoutelas and his wife, Denise, are residents of Washington DC, and he commutes to work on Washington’s Metro system and the DC Circulator.

Previously, as the Operations Director & Political Manager on Janet Protasiewicz’s campaign for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Morgan helped elect a historic all-women, liberal majority to the Court. She also worked for both Mandela Barnes’ U.S. Senate campaign and Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Dallet.

Morgan’s private sector experience includes The Messina Group, a strategic consulting firm led by Jim Messina — the architect behind President Obama’s victorious 2012 re-election campaign — and Brunswick Group’s public affairs hub in Washington, D.C; in both roles, she supported messaging for corporate clients.

Morgan graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison Honors Program with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Legal Studies, and minors in Gender & Women’s Studies and Criminal Justice.

Fun Fact: Morgan was in a 2023 Super Bowl commercial!

Matthew recently finished supporting the state’s COVID-19 response as an Officer in the National Guard, and also served as a Political Director for the Biden campaign in WA. Before that, he was the Vice-President of Legislative Affairs for Graduate Students at WSU, and worked in Olympia to pass policy that helped create equitable access to Higher Education for all. Matthew has an M.A. in Political Science from Washington State University.

You can typically find him on your local rugby pitch, the light rail, or watching the Coug game.

He has held leadership roles in marketing, business development and co-founded RideKC Development Corporation. As President and CEO, White is tasked with improving reliability for transit customers, engaging stakeholders on both sides of the state line and continuing the agency’s mission to connect all people with opportunities.

white holds a Bachelor of General Studies in Psychology from the University of Kansas. Since coming to the KCATA in March of 2016, White has won several awards for marketing and was one of 35 national future transit leaders identified and accepted into the Eno Transit Senior Executive Program, an industry executive training program, recognizing senior executive potential.

Frank’s focus as the President & CEO is be on recovering ridership lost during the pandemic, regaining staff to support the service that is currently offered to customers, strengthening relationships, and ultimately positioning KCATA as a world-class agency that connects people to opportunities and leads the conversation around transit in our backyard and beyond.

He started his career working for elected officials, both in campaigns and policy positions, where he learned the ins and outs of politics and public service. Over the years, he gained experience in the private sector leading initiatives on polling and targeting, RFID technology, and biometrics. As he developed a deep understanding of public opinion data collection and analysis, Scott saw the need for public servants to be equipped with more accurate insights to make informed decisions on policies and investments that will improve the quality of life for American communities.

Scott received his undergraduate and MBA degrees from the College of William and Mary.

Michelle is co-founder of Asset Based Consulting, a solutions-driven consulting firm committed to working with clients to create organizational cultures that are inclusive by design. Recently, she and her partner, Mary Liz McNamara, launched their second firm, Seamless Customer Solutions, focusing on creating accessible and dignified consumer experiences for everyone, including people with disabilities, older adults, caregivers, family, and friends.

Michelle recognizes the important role public transportation plays in connecting individuals to their communities, opportunities, and essential services. She is dedicated to advancing solutions that prioritize equity and accessibility, ensuring that transit systems reflect and serve the diversity of their users with dignity and inclusivity at the forefront.

A graduate of Brandeis and Lesley Universities, she recently co-authored “All Aboard: Conducting Accessible Community Involvement for Public Transit,” a practical guide to creating meaningful, inclusive public transit engagement.