APTA Committee Profile: Membership

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE  |  66 Members

Beverly Greene, Chair
Chief Government Affairs Officer
Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority (VTA)
Santa Clara, CA

APTA Staff Advisors: Linda Gill Anderson, Senior Director, Membership; Lisa Lockman, Senior Manager, Membership; Rachel Mases, Membership Coordinator, Meetings and Membership Services Department

What is the role of APTA’s Membership Committee?

The APTA Membership Committee plays a crucial role in the organization by focusing on recruiting and retaining members and revitalizing the coordination between APTA staff, committee officers, and its membership. The committee ensures that every member receives the full value of their membership and vets prospective members for alignment with APTA’s mission before presenting them for final review and approval by the APTA Executive Committee. Additionally, the committee is dedicated to expanding student membership and educating future leaders on the benefits of being a member.

What are the Committee’s top priorities for the year?

This year, the committee has set ambitious goals, including exceeding the target for total new members—a goal that has already been met for FY 2025, setting a record! The committee aims to expand membership in key areas through targeted outreach to transit agencies, DBE/WBE/MBE organizations, students, and representatives from new sectors such as “New Fuels.” Retaining membership through increased engagement and visibility and promoting APTA’s many benefits is also a top priority.

You mentioned that APTA has achieved record-high membership this year. To what do you attribute this accomplishment?

I attribute the record-high membership this year to several key factors. Firstly, we have made significant strides in enhancing member value by ensuring that the APTA community has unmatched opportunities to belong, engage, and contribute. Having a leadership team that is in sync and having opportunities to germinate ideas has been vital. Understanding what is happening within the industry, and continuing to take care of the talent and expertise within APTA has also been crucial. We made free membership available to displaced FTA workers, which is helping support professionals during challenging times and integrate them into our community. Additionally, we have been focusing on current industry priorities and providing new reasons why people should join.

Overall, these strategic initiatives and the dedication of our members have contributed to the impressive growth in membership this year.

What attracted you to the industry and to APTA? What has your APTA membership meant to you?

I was looking for my next career move and wanted to transition into a stable industry. Before transit, I worked for a Silicon Valley startup (consumer software company) during the “dot com revolution.” It was a wild ride, but I needed something more stable to support my aging family and ensure a good quality of life.

AC Transit in Oakland provided me with this stability. I took a temporary 12-week position working on a new BRT line. After putting in a lot of hard work, I was given the task of working on a parcel tax initiative. I found the work fascinating, and it was especially meaningful because AC Transit was the transit service I used as a child. This led to a full-time position as the manager of the communications and public affairs department. Over time, I climbed the ranks and eventually became assistant general manager. Now, I am the chief government affairs officer for Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA).

My APTA membership has been incredibly rewarding, allowing me to grow professionally and discuss important issues that affect real people and improve their quality of life. Completing Leadership APTA in 2013 was a significant milestone for me. I love the camaraderie and fellowship with other transit leaders. APTA members are always eager to share information, and that sense of community has been invaluable. I have developed many wonderful relationships along the way, and they have led to many rewarding experiences. As one example, I found my way to the Membership Committee at the invitation of Joe Alexander, who was a longtime champion of APTA and a mentor for many people.

Please describe your role at VTA.

As the chief government affairs officer, my role involves working with all things policy. I lead the Government Affairs and Secretary of the Board Division, responsible for developing and coordinating VTA’s federal, state, regional, and local government affairs programs, ensuring efficient board operations, and working with policymakers in support of VTA’s programs and initiatives.

I strive to help people understand how important public transit is to the community and continue to implement new programs to increase transit options in the Bay Area. This includes engaging with policymakers, advocating for legislative changes, and building relationships with regional partners to advance public transit initiatives. Through my work, I aim to enhance the quality of life for residents by promoting sustainable and efficient transportation solutions.

How is the work of your committee reflected in your own agency?

I am a built-in advocate for industry collaboration. I utilize training sessions, attend conferences, and share the value of APTA membership with colleagues at transit systems across California. I help organize the VTA delegation when our teams head to various APTA conferences and ensure they are informed about what is happening around APTA and how to navigate these events. These conferences provide an excellent opportunity for team members to get to know each other better within the agency. APTA serves as a relationship builder, bringing different departments together and fostering a sense of community and collaboration.

APTA’s committees play an important role in fulfilling the association’s commitment to developing industry leaders. Please share how your committee encourages young professionals to participate in its work.

We recognize the impending “silver tsunami” and understand that many experienced professionals will be leaving the industry in the next few years. It is crucial to have a succession plan in place to bring new talent into the industry. To address this, we are actively working on several initiatives to get young professionals up to speed and ready to step into these roles.

Firstly, we launched the Student Membership in Spring 2023, which now includes more than 140 student members from 91 universities. This program is designed to engage young professionals early in their careers, providing them with valuable resources and networking opportunities. We hold quarterly Zoom calls specifically for Student Members, linking them with experienced APTA members who offer guidance on launching their careers, landing internships, and effective networking at events.

During the past two TRANSform conferences, we partnered with APTA Business Members to hold meet-and-greet sessions with these students, many of whom are completing their master’s or PhD programs. This interaction helps bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical industry experience. Additionally, Business Members have worked with us to offer students travel stipends to attend the conferences, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder their professional development.

Understanding that transit is more than just driving a bus or a train, we emphasize the diverse opportunities within the transit realm, including roles in government policy, finance, and technology. By fostering a comprehensive understanding of the industry and providing robust support systems, we aim to ensure that the next generation of transit professionals is well equipped to take on leadership roles and continue advancing public transportation.

Can an individual’s service on this committee add value to their career?

Absolutely! Serving on this committee provides a unique opportunity to learn about the industry and understand the characteristics and challenges of each agency. It offers a chance to network with professionals and stay informed about leading-edge policies and practices, allowing us to see where transit is heading. We gain “the inside scoop” on APTA’s best offerings, and we actively engage in the online community, which further enhances our professional growth and visibility. Most importantly, it helps us to maintain a big-picture perspective on the needs, issues, and achievements of our industry, and this is excellent preparation for any leadership role within it.

What is a hidden gem you can find in working on this committee?

Knowing the layout of the APTA organization and its many programs and amenities helps you not only promote those features to current and prospective members, but it also makes you an authority on these things for your own organization. You essentially become an APTA expert, and you are in the best position to ensure that you and your team get the most from your membership and the many valuable relationships that come with it.

How do I join the Membership Committee?

Simply log on to the APTA Connect webpage, and from the drop-down menu, choose “committees I can join.” Then click on the Membership Committee listing, and you will find a “Join” button on the right edge of the screen. It’s that easy! The committee has three officer positions: chair, vice chair, and secretary. Each are for three-year terms, and we will be holding an election for the secretary position in August.