APTA Holds Largest Transit CEOs Seminar

APTA held its largest ever Transit CEOs Seminar, March 21-23 in San Antonio, TX, providing an opportunity for public transit leaders to network, discuss management and policy, and benchmark across agency practices and issues.

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Jon Gary Herrera, president and CEO of host agency VIA Metropolitan Transit, welcomed 160 transit CEOs and deputies to the event. APTA Chair MJ Maynard, CEO, Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, gave the Chair’s Welcome, and APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas gave the President’s Welcome.

Coming at such a consequential time, the meeting focused on how best to navigate change in Washington while maintaining the critical mission of public transportation. Topics included tracking the many policy changes underway in Washington, the current state of transit, fare evasion, labor and board challenges, articulating the benefits of transit, CEO well-being, and the criticality of advocacy.

Respected industry leaders Leslie S. Richards, former CEO and general manager, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority; and Dorval R. Carter, Jr., former president, Chicago Transit Authority, gave keynotes recounting their CEO journey. Andy Byford, Amtrak’s high-speed rail chief, highlighted plans for Texas HSR.