People on the Move: October 2024

MOLINE, IL—The Illinois Public Transportation Association has presented Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District (MetroLINK) CEO Jeffrey A. Nelson with the William Volk Lifetime Achievement Award for his exemplary impact on public transportation in Illinois. Beyond his work in the Quad Cities, Nelson has been instrumental in advocating for public transit in Springfield, IL, and Washington, DC, working with legislators to secure investment in public transportation. Under his leadership, MetroLINK has received numerous accolades, including APTA’s 2012 Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award. Nelson served as APTA chair from January 2021 to October 2022, assuming the role when Nuria I. Fernandez was appointed FTA deputy administrator. He has also served as chair of the National Transit Institute. For APTA, Nelson is currently a member of the board of directors, Public Transportation CEO Coordinating Council, Authorization Task Force, and Diversity and Inclusion Council; is second vice chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee; and serves on the Bus & Paratransit CEOs, Legislative, Small Operations, and Waterborne Transit Operations committees, among others.

WASHINGTON, DC—Carrie Butler has joined FTA as regional administrator for region 7. She and her team oversee the federal funding for Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Butler has more than 25 years of service in the public transportation industry in both the public and private sectors. She most recently served as chief executive officer and executive director of the Transit Authority of River City in Louisville, KY. She also previously served as general manager of Lextran in Lexington, KY. For APTA, Butler is a member of the Public Transportation CEO Coordinating Council and Bus Task Force, and serves on the Mid-Size Operations, Connected and Automated Vehicle, and Small Operations committees, among others.

LONG BEACH, CA—Long Beach Transit has appointed Kimberly M. Yu as deputy chief executive officer. Yu brings more than two decades of experience in transportation, operational management, and strategic planning to the agency. Most recently, she served as vice president of Southern California Transportation at AECOM, where she led all transportation sectors. Yu also served as chief operations officer at the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink). At the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, she served in various capacities, including deputy chief operations officer. Yu has been an advisory board member for UCLA’s Institute of Transportation Studies, an advisory board member for Move LA, and program director for American Council of Engineering Companies.

ROCHESTER, NY—Paradigm Emissions Technologies announced that Bill Carpenter, a leader in the public transportation sector and a pioneering advocate for zero-emission solutions, has been appointed to its board of directors. Carpenter brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in operations, sales, and strategic business planning. During his tenure as CEO of the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, NY, Carpenter led transformative initiatives that set new standards for environmental stewardship in public transit. During his tenure, Carpenter served as president of the New York Public Transit Association, leading advocacy efforts resulting in a significant increase in state operating aid. For APTA, Carpenter is a member of the Racial Equity Commitment Signatories Group, Public Transportation CEO Coordinating Council, and Diversity and Inclusion Council, and serves on the Legislative, Bus Operations, Access, and Mid-Size Operations committees.

LOS ANGELES, CA—Metrolink has appointed Kevin Gray as its new chief technology officer. Gray is an award-winning information technology executive who has transformed a variety of organizations across the private and public sectors. He will drive digital modernization, process optimization, and strategic collaboration, while managing the day-to-day activities of the agency’s Integrated Digital and Technology Services Department, including enterprise applications, cybersecurity, train control systems, network operations, fare collection, and technology infrastructure. Gray spent the last six years as chief information officer for the City of Burbank, where he oversaw the redevelopment of the city’s website and launched the Our Burbank 311 app, while also advancing numerous mission-critical projects, including partnering with the Burbank Police Department to strengthen the city’s public safety network.

BOSTON, MA—WSP has hired Jeffrey Gonneville as senior vice president and transit and rail director of enterprise strategy. He will support strategic development projects and will work on safety, capital, operational, administrative, and labor challenges for a variety of clients. Gonneville’s most recent role was deputy general manager and interim general manager for the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA). He served MBTA for more than 20 years in critical leadership roles, including chief operating officer, chief mechanical officer, and director of vehicle engineering.

CHICAGO, IL—Taiwo “Tai” Jaiyeoba has joined Lochner as national transit planning director. He brings to the role 30 years of public- and private-sector experience overseeing BRT, light rail, and streetcar/urban circulator initiatives across the U.S., as well as comprehensive land use plans, transit master plans, corridor plans, and unified/land development ordinances. Jaiyeoba most recently served as city manager for the City of Greensboro, NC, where he established the municipality’s first transit department and launched a 20-year mobility plan. Prior to Greensboro, he was director of planning and assistant city manager for the City of Charlotte, NC, providing oversight for transit systems and mobility initiatives. He is an alumnus of the ENO Center for Leadership in Transportation. For APTA, Jaiyeoba serves on the BRT, Mobility Management, and Sustainability committees and is a graduate of the Leadership APTA Class of 2014.

RICHMOND, VA—UZURV welcomes Allie Feakins as chief operating officer. She brings extensive process management, growth, and operations executive management experience to the company. Feakins was formerly the chief executive officer of compare.com, an auto insurance price comparison technology platform.

PHILADELPHIA, PA—The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has announced the appointment of two newly created positions that demonstrate a commitment to making the agency safer, cleaner, and more secure. Robert Brown has been appointed as deputy chief operating officer–cleaning, and Sarah Powell has been named deputy chief transformation officer–safety culture.

Brown is responsible for leading all custodial services functions for SEPTA stations, vehicles, and facilities. He has more than 30 years of progressive experience in facilities management and custodial services, including director, global integrated facilities management lead at Nestle and director of global facilities, operations & intermediate projects at Rolls Royce. Most recently, he was principal and chief operating officer for Atlas Integrated Facilities Management & Project Consultant Services.

Powell is tasked with driving organizational change at SEPTA and reinforcing a culture where all employees are relentless about safety. She directed a center for public health preparedness at Temple University before leading the institution’s first office of emergency management. She went on to lead employee wellbeing, health, and safety programs in the private sector before arriving at SEPTA.

LOMBARD, IL—Transdev U.S. announces the return of Katrina Heineking as a senior vice president of transit. With nearly three decades of experience in the transportation industry, Heineking brings a wealth of knowledge, strategic vision, and innovative leadership back to the company. In her most recent role as EVP of operations at Beep Inc., she spearheaded key growth initiatives, overseeing operations across nine states and forming strategic partnerships with international OEMs. Her previous 18-year tenure at Transdev U.S. saw her in various roles, including chief operating officer of Transdev Alternative Services. For APTA, Heineking is a member of the Racial Equity Commitment Signatories Group and serves on the Connected and Automated Vehicle and Research & Technology committees, among others.

In addition, Transdev U.S. has appointed Mischa Wanek-Libman as its new director of communications. With more than 20 years of experience in the transportation industry, Wanek-Libman brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role, having recently transitioned from her position as group editorial director at Mass Transit magazine. She has also held senior editorial roles at Railway Track & Structures, and Railway Age. At Transdev, Wanek-Libman will manage media relationships, support crisis communications, and ensure consistent messaging across all company materials. Additionally, she will help ensure alignment of internal and external communication strategies with company goals. She has served as a board observer for the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association. For APTA, Wanek-Libman is a member of the Marketing, Communications, and Customer Experience Committee.