Shaping the Future of Public Transit, Together

Outgoing Chair, APTA
CEO, Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas

Serving as chair of APTA has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life. Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside a remarkable group of industry professionals who understand the power of public transportation to connect people, drive economic growth, and strengthen communities.

from the executive board to dozens ofsubcommittees, I witnessed the depth of commitment, creativity, and innovation that defines our members. The past year has reminded me that our success as an industry does not rest on any one individual; it has been about all of us working together—CEOs, APTA Board members and everyone across the membership whether operators or businesses, and the dedicated APTA staff—to advance a shared mission.

When I began my term, I focused on three priorities: challenging outdated perceptions of public transit, highlighting its essential role in workforce and economic development, and embracing innovation as a pathway forward. I believe we have made meaningful progress in each area. More importantly, we did it through collaboration, shared leadership, and a willingness to think boldly.

This year, APTA educated policymakers on the role transit plays in driving the U.S. economy. We launched the Strategic Engagement Council and the Safe-Efficient-Clean Commitments Program, aligning with national priorities and demonstrating our ability to adapt. We also updated APTA’s three-year Strategic Plan to reflect where the industry is headed, not just where it has been.

I am particularly proud of the progress we’ve made in telling our story more effectively. I’ve called on the APTA team to update the 2020 Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment report and to work even more closely with the Research, Communication, and Advocacy Council. By grounding our narrative in facts and data, we can better demonstrate to communities, partners, and policymakers why transit matters.

Innovation also defined much of our work this year. APTA hosted its first-ever Innovation Summit, creating space to explore new approaches to service delivery, workforce development, and technology. From real-time analytics that improve reliability to bus design strategies that better reflect community needs, we are showing that transit is not just keeping pace with change but helping to lead it.

The challenges are real. We are asked to deliver high-quality service while balancing limited budgets. We operate systems that are essential but not profit-generating, which means constantly making the case for investment. We continue to address workforce shortages, equity concerns, and evolving safety needs. And we are doing all of this in a highly competitive and often polarized political environment.

Yet through it all, what inspires me most is this industry’s resilience and creativity. Our partnership with the Federal Transit Administration remains central to our success, and I am grateful for the collaboration and shared mission we continue to build.

As I reflect on the year, what stands out above all is how we have begun to shift the narrative around public transportation. No one else can tell our story the way we can. When we explain that transit means connecting people to jobs, education, healthcare, and the essential moments of life, we earn trust, build support, and lay the groundwork for future investment.

Our industry is resilient, adaptive, and essential. Together, we have shown what is possible when we align around a common mission. I am proud of what we accomplished this past year, and even more excited about the future we are shaping. Let’s continue moving forward, together.