People on the Move: February 2025

WASHINGTON, DC—Melissa Mejias has been appointed director, governmental and legislative affairs for FTA. Most recently, she was APTA’s director, government affairs and advocacy. Before that, she was senior legislative representative at APTA. Mejias also has served as president of Vincere Strategies; confidential assistant to the Assistant Administrator, Office of Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; legislative analyst for the International Association of Drilling Contractors; and manager, marine safety and investigations, at LISCR. She also served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserves.

WATERTOWN, MA—VHB has introduced three new leadership positions. David Saladino has been named Northern New England regional operations manager. Bob Penfield assumes the role of Southern New England regional operations manager. Susan Nichols is New England Regional Services Manager.

Saladino will oversee operations in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Over the past decade, he has played an essential role in the growth of VHB’s Vermont operation and provided critical support to the Maine and New Hampshire teams.

Penfield will manage operations across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Formerly managing director of the Structures and Highway group in Massachusetts, he has been instrumental in advancing design-build alternative delivery services and forming strategic partnerships region-wide.

Nichols will collaborate with service leaders to prioritize focus areas and drive best practices across all service lines. She has extensive experience as chair of environmental services and advocacy for the company’s Innovation Ambassador program, brings valuable insights and leadership to provide technological and workforce alignment.

HOUSTON, TX—Sharon Valiante has joined Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) as regional business manager, based in the firm’s Houston office. She will oversee operations, performance, and profitability for LAN’s business activities, with a focus on customer relationship management, client acquisition, and identifying future opportunities for market growth. Valiante is a seasoned community development and public works professional with more than 40 years of experience managing municipal and public infrastructure projects. Most recently, she served as the public works director for the City of Fulshear, TX.

NEW ORLEANS, LA—The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has named veteran transportation official Brian Marshall as chief transit officer. In this role, he will oversee operations of RTA’s fixed-route bus, streetcar, marine, and paratransit services. Marshall’s experience includes operational leadership with the Chicago Transit Authority, before leading the Capital Area Transit System in Baton Rouge, where he led efforts to increase taxpayer funding and oversaw dramatic increases in on-time performance for the agency’s paratransit services. Marshall also has transit experience in Fresno, CA, Ann Arbor, MI, and most recently in South Bend, IN.

OCEANSIDE, CA—North County Transit District (NCTD) has hired Adrienne Johnson as human resources director, reporting to the agency’s chief people officer. She will be responsible for managing and overseeing day-to-day operations, including employee relations, recruitment, labor relations, organizational development, and compliance. Johnson has more than 15 years of experience in human resources across Fortune 100 and 500 companies, leading and managing change in global environments. Most recently, she was human resources director at Airgas, where she led strategic initiatives in talent management, organizational design, and regulatory compliance.

CHESAPEAKE, VA—INIT Innovations in Transportation, Inc. names Carl Commons, the firm’s former chief sales officer, as chief executive officer. Commons is a seasoned transit professional with 17 years at INIT and 25 years of expertise managing sales, customer service, and technical teams. For APTA, Commons is a member of the Research & Technology and Fare Collection Systems committees and numerous subcommittees and working groups.

In addition, Andy Singh, former chief operations officer east, has been appointed as president and COO. He recently celebrated six years with INIT, serving as director of engineering.

Eric Linxweiler, formerly chief operations officer for the western region, is stepping into the newly created role of chief customer officer. He will draw on his 27 years of senior leadership positions, including nine years with INIT, to focus on building connections with customers and ensuring services and products deliver value to public transit agencies. For APTA, Linxweiler is a member of the Commuter Rail, Research & Technology, and Fare Collection Systems committees and numerous subcommittees and working groups.

Also, Scott Walsh, former senior director of business development, will serve as executive director of sales and marketing. He has more than 25 years of transit experience and 10 years at INIT. For APTA, Walsh is a member of the Research & Technology and Fare Collection Systems committees and Information Technology Subcommittee.

SEATTLE, WA—Sound Transit announces that Nadia Anderson, Ph.D., has joined the agency as chief strategy officer, a new position created to guide the agency’s approach to the technological, environmental, and economic future of the region. In her role, Anderson will oversee the government and community relations; communications, marketing, and engagement; board administration; and ORCA ROOT teams. She will also oversee two new divisions: innovation and transformation; and strategic planning, policy and programs. Anderson previously served as chief of staff and senior vice president of policy strategy and operations at the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. Her professional experience spans all levels of government, both domestic and international, and her resume includes major corporations such as Uber; AAA; and Cruise, the General Motors majority-owned fully electric self-driving car company.