2026 COMTO Accelerate

A PUBLICATION OF THE CONFERENCE OF MINORIT Y TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS

2026

LETTER FROM COMTO

COMTO Family!

Welcome to the summer 2026 issue of Accelerate, the annual publication of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO). This edition coincides with our 55th National Meeting and Training Conference, which is centered on the theme: “Rooted in Legacy, Driving the Future of Transportation.” We mark this milestone in the city where it all began: Washington, DC at Howard University. This edition of Accelerate honors our rich history and highlights the emerging technologies that steer the future of this industry.

In this issue, we highlight the work of WSP and their holistic approach to transportation projects to transform places and communities. WSP encourages us to pursue thoughtful leadership and decision-making that look beyond individual projects to consider community priorities and future growth.

Thomas Perry, HDR Senior Program Manager, shares his personal memories of COMTO Founder Rev. Jerry Moore and how the vision of our founders helped create the public good necessary to secure the future. “That guiding principle stays with me every day in the work that I do,” writes Perry.

AECOM is using yesterday’s legacy to make changes to transportation infrastructure while addressing future decades of need. Read about AECOM’s quest to answer, “What Makes Things Move?”

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GFT is rooted in people and driven by possibility as their people-centric approach moves beyond engagement and integrates human insight into every stage of decision-making.

STV reminds us that a people-first model is critical in the changing political landscape as the nation looks towards mid-term elections. They believe engaging early with incoming decision makers helps agencies and their partners shape projects.

Read why AASHTO believes stressing the impacts on real life will help recruit and retain the next generation of transportation workers, and why IBTTA writes, “innovation does not succeed on technology alone.”

And LIT celebrates its own anniversary, ten years of impacting lives and careers in the transportation industry.

By highlighting varied perspectives and approaches, we aim to inspire continued progress toward a transportation system that truly serves everyone. As you explore these articles, we hope you are encouraged by the stories of progress and motivated to join us in ensuring transportation serves all - for another 55 years.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION & EVENTS National Leadership. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 About COMTO | Accelerate | Council of Presidents. . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2026 Celebrating Women Who Move The Nation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 FROM OUR INDUSTRY AND COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS WSP From Projects To Purpose: Going beyond transportation to move everyone forward

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HDR The COMTO Mission Continues in D.C.

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AECOM AECOM is Rooted in Legacy, Driving the Future of Transportation

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GFT Rooted in People, Driven By Possibility: What a People-Centric, Tech-Enabled Future Looks Like

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STV Navigating Change by Building Trust: Leading Through New Transportation Leadership

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CHIN Strong Transportation Systems Aren’t Just Built: They’re Earned Through Trust, Clarity, and Genuine Community Investment 32 AASHTO Building Transportation’s Workforce for the Future

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IBTTA Leadership at the Intersection of People, Technology and Partnerships

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LATINOS IN TRANSIT Rooted in Legacy: LIT Celebrates COMTO’s 55 Years and Calls for Continued Investment in Proven Leadership

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MPACT Building a Thriving Community

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ACCELERATE

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BLAZE THE TRAILS Proud to advance a more resilient, inclusive and innovative industry with COMTO and its members.

wsp.com

NATIONAL LEADERSHIP

CHAIR

COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS REPRESENTATIVES

Tanya Adams

Steve Granson

Senior Vice President, Director of Strategic Partnership WSP USA

COMTO Houston President Associate Vice President - Project Development Leader HNTB

FIRST VICE CHAIR Dr. Lester Woods Executive Consultant First Last Mile Valet Transportation Services

SECOND VICE CHAIR Gwendolen Gray President & Founder G2B Consulting, Inc.

Richard Watson COMTO New York President Senior Director, Labor and Employee Relations Metropolitan Transportation Authority of NY

Edna Stanley COMTO SoCal President Deputy Chief Operations Officer of Transit Service Delivery Los Angeles Metro

SECRETARY/TREASURER Yetunde Olumide Chief Financial Officer Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE Johnell Bell Founder and Chief Executive Officer Espousal Strategies LLC Chief of Equity Officer Interstate Bridge Program

Sharon Jean-Baptiste President Ardmore Roderick

Debra Johnson General Manager and CEO Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD)

Kimberly Haynes-Slaughter Senior Vice President and Transportation Leader for North America TYLin

Dave Wong Senior Vice President Transportation Client Development Officer HDR

ACCELERATE

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ABOUT COMTO | ACCELERATE

Who We Are

We ensure transportation serves all.

Mission

To ensure transportation serves all by connecting stakeholders, developing leaders, and fostering an efficient multi-modal transportation ecosystem through training, advocacy, and partnerships.

Vision

To be the leading voice shaping a transportation network that is people centered, safe, resilient, innovative and a driver of economic prosperity.

COMTO COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS Alabama Charlotte Shaw Arizona Tony Santana Atlanta Kenyata Smiley Austin Yannis Banks Boston Aboubacar Konate Central Florida Iranetta J. Dennis Chicago Rovaughn Graham Cincinnati Sally Stewart-McKinnie Cleveland Daveda Bencs Colorado Rico Nelson Columbus Quincy J. Howard

Connecticut Sharon Okoye District of Columbia Jeff Parker Ft. Lauderdale Annette Payne Hampton Roads J. Grace Fowler Honolulu Hawaii Roland "JR" Carino Houston Steve Granson Jacksonville Tsopie Trottie Kansas City Lindsay Francis Louisiana Jamal Smiles Maryland Oluseyi Olugbenle Memphis Avery Mull

Miami Wade Jones Jr. Michigan Beverly Watts Minnesota Tekia Jefferson Nashville Kia Lewis New York Richard Watson North Carolina Ebony Pittman North Texas Gabriel Beltran Northern California DeNise Lynell Blake Oregon/SW Washington Coral Egnew Palm Beach County Ann McNeill Philadelphia Carrie Givhan

Pittsburgh Jerimaine Ward Richmond Joe Dillard San Antonio Maurice Bridges San Diego Thet Htike Southern California Edna Stanley St. Louis Vivian Martain Toronto & Region Mavara Turab Washington State Grantley Martelly

ACCELERATE

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15 Years of Women Leaders in Transportation Honored at Premier Industry Awards Ceremony On a day typically dreaded by most tax paying Americans, over 500 celebrated the achievements of their colleagues who earned one of the most coveted awards for women transportation leaders. The 15th Annual Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation Awards breakfast was held April 15, 2026. The energy was electric inside the ballroom at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, DC as a new cohort of 10 women received their awards by past honorees. To date, the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) has inducted 172 trailblazers into this signature class of leaders.

COMTO’s Women Who Move the Nation awards recognize women leaders for their excellence, innovation, and exemplary dedication to moving the nation. The honorees encompass a variety of multi-modal transportation, spanning both the public and private sectors. Each year, this sold-out event brings together private company executives and transportation agency CEOs from around the country to salute 10 women at the top of their class.

The 2026 COMTO Women Who Move the Nation Honorees are: • Shalonda Baldwin - California Regional Business Leader, Transportation Infrastructure, WSP • Sharon Jean-Baptiste - President, Ardmore Roderick • Joi Taylor Dean - CEO, Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority • Caroline Decker - Chief Government Affairs Officer, GFT • Deborah Ale Flint - CEO, Greater Toronto Airports Authority • Justine Johnson - Chief Mobility Officer, Michigan’s Office of Future, Mobility, & Electrification • Kelli Kelly - Vice President, Business Development & Strategy, Kiewit • Nadine S. Lee - President & CEO, DART • Melissa Mullinax - Vice President, Business Development Officer, HNTB • Anna Roach - Executive Director & CEO, Atlanta Regional Commission

“As a 2025 honoree, I know first-hand the immense pride each of these women feel in being honored for their hard work and dedication to this industry.

And to receive this award in front of your peers is a moment I will never forget!”

Tanya Adams Chair of COMTO’s Board of Directors and Senior Vice President, Director of Strategic Partnership, WSP USA

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“Recognizing these leaders is an intentional act of appreciation. They are a true reflection of the work we promote here at COMTO: leadership that is innovative, inspiring, and reflective of the community.

The future of transportation is in good hands.”

April Rai President & CEO COMTO

Shalonda Baldwin

Sharon A. Jean-Baptiste

Joi Taylor Dean

Caroline N. Decker

Senior Vice President, CA Regional Business Leader, Transportation & Infrastructure for WSP, USA

President Ardmore Roderick

Chief Executive Officer Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Chief Government Affairs Officer GFT

Deborah Flint

Justine Johnson

Kelli Kelly

Nadine S. Lee

President and Chief Executive Officer Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA)

Chief Mobility Officer, Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, State of Michigan

Vice President, Business Development & Strategy Kiewit Engineering Group

President & CEO Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)

r u o o t s n o i t a l Congratu

! s e e r o n o H 2026

Melissa Mullinax

Anna Roach

Vice President, Business Development Officer HNTB

Executive Director & CEO Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC)

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Better mobility, better communities Transforming transportation systems to improve mobility, support strong economies, and enhance quality of life in communities across the globe.

Proud COMTO Legacy Partner

hdrinc.com

Rooted in People.

Driven by Technology.

Designing transportation systems that reflect communities and deliver real impact.

At GFT, we combine decades of infrastructure experience with advanced technology to help agencies plan, design, and deliver transportation solutions that connect people to opportunity.

Scan Here gftinc.com

Advanced Mobility | Bridge Design & Inspection | Roadway & Highway Design Geospatial | Tolling | Transit & Rail Construction Management Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor, Los Angeles, Calif.

Helping transportation clients move forward.

At Jacobs, we’re going beyond the typical solution of building our way out of gridlock and congestion by putting our curious minds to work to create a smarter, more connected world. We’re facing a new generation of challenges and opportunities in moving people, goods and services. And at Jacobs, we’re pushing the limits of what’s possible.

We tackle the world’s toughest challenges.

Follow us @JacobsConnects | jacobs.com

PLATINUM PARTNER

From Projects To Purpose Going beyond transportation to move everyone forward

By Tanya Adams

Senior Vice President, Director of Strategic Partnership, WSP USA Chair, Board of Directors, COMTO Across the country, COMTO members are shaping how people move, connect and access everything from jobs and education to healthcare and public services. But our influence goes way beyond transportation.

When planned, designed and delivered holistically, transportation projects transform places and communities – advancing social and economic opportunities, long-term resilience, and quality of life.

Whether bridges, transit lines, airports, tunnels, streets or bike lanes, transportation systems connect people and communities to jobs, education, healthcare, recreation, family and friends. They determine where homes, businesses and public services are located, and who benefits from that investment.

They align sustainability with social advancement – whether lowering emissions to improve air quality, promoting active travel to support wellbeing or creating accessible, open spaces bringing people together.

All of these connections and the investments they deliver intersect with and influence other critical infrastructure we all depend on – our shared water systems, energy grid, mineral resources and more.

Connection in motion At WSP, we connect the dots between transportation and the infrastructure it both needs and enables, leveraging advisory, planning, energy, water, mining, digital and building expertise to ensure communities can meet today’s needs with solutions engineered to overcome tomorrow’s challenges. We also provide the essential activities that bring these projects to life, such as program and construction management, community engagement, funding strategy, digital innovation, and compliance.

Our integrated approach recognizes how infrastructure decisions shape communities and lives over time, by aligning capital spending with broader goals such as economic vitality, climate resilience and access to opportunity.

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Connections beyond transportation can open new doors, spark new ideas and forge new partnerships, enhancing our collective ability to strengthen our communities

It encourages thoughtful leadership and decision-making that looks beyond individual projects to consider investment, policy, community priorities and future growth, to deliver long-term performance and lasting value.

For COMTO members and partners, connections beyond transportation can open new doors, spark new ideas and forge new partnerships, enhancing our collective ability to strengthen our communities.

They also create opportunities for a new generation of professionals – future engineers, planners, communicators and leaders.

Working together, we can make sure everything from transportation and infrastructure to shared resources like land, water and power not only serve everyone – but also make a meaningful difference to people and the places they call home.

ACCELERATE

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ROOTED IN LEGACY.

Transportation only works when it works for people.

DRIVING THE FUTURE OF TRANSPORTATION.

At KIEWIT, we are committed to building an industry strengthened by diverse voices, equitable opportunity, and meaningful partnerships.

As a proud COMTO Bronze Level Industry Partner, we support COMTO’s legacy of leadership and its continued impact on the future of transportation.

CONNECTING PEOPLE, PLACES, & IDEAS

KIEWIT.COM

SHAPING TOMORROW THROUGH INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE 55 Years Moving Communities Forward

Congratulations COMTO on 55 years of expanding access, opportunity, and mobility.

KEOLIS CELEBRATES COMTO’S LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP, OPPORTUNITY, AND IMPACT Keolis recognizes the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials for 55 years of creating pathways, elevating voices, and driving meaningful change across our industry. Together, we move people and communities forward.

Learn more about the work we do.

THAT’S THE WAY WE MOVE.

mottmac.com

Congratulates COMTO on their 55th National Meeting and Training Conference

ROOTED IN LEGACY. FOCUSED ON WHAT’S NEXT. At Ardmore Roderick, we are reimagining infrastructure to improve lives and communities.

We invest in people.

We expand access to opportunity.

We apply innovation to solve complex challenges.

Together with COMTO, we are building stronger connections and a more inclusive future.

SCAN TO LEARN MORE!

Congratulations

to COMTO on another banner year ensuring transportation serves all.

We stand with you in your belief that all lived experience moves the world and your commitment that uplifting all people moves us forward every day.

LEGACY PARTNER

HDR’s Thomas Perry (left) at a 2023 workshop for the DC Downtown plan. Next to Perry is D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.

The COMTO Mission Continues in D.C.

By Thomas Perry, HDR Senior Program Manager In years past I twice had the honor and pleasure of spending time with the late COMTO founder, the Rev. Jerry Moore, and his son, Percy. I came away from these interactions inspired by the advocacy that COMTO, led by Rev. Moore and other transportation pioneers such as Harold B. Williams and Carmen Turner, has demonstrated since 1971.

Their vision and work to support transportation access in all modes helped create the public good necessary to secure the future. That guiding principle stays with me every day in the work that I do.

And that legacy is ours to maintain and advance as we celebrate COMTO’s 55th national meeting in Washington, D.C. I have had the privilege of working or living in the District of Columbia for more than half of my career.

This city is near and dear to my heart. As a third-generation Washingtonian, my wife has schooled me well in appreciating what it means to be rooted in and delivering projects for this city. Her grandmother, a sharecropper, came to the city for better opportunities and later became one of the first female bus drivers for DC Public Schools.

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In D.C. and the greater Washington region, HDR is helping our clients and partners make those opportunities possible creating a strong foundation for the future. In particular, the Downtown Comprehensive Transportation Plan is preparing the District’s downtown for more efficient use of its transportation network supporting continued economic development growth, better mobility, and opportunity.

As the plan is implemented, expanded transportation options will help bring people downtown. Better activated public spaces will increase foot traffic.

And improved transportation networks will benefit

DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY. GUIDED BY EXPERIENCE. CHIN partners with clients and stakeholders to deliver transportation solutions that work. From planning through construction, we guide diverse perspectives toward a shared destination—clear, accessible, and built to serve.

rmchin.com

all travelers. The project’s goals fit well with the theme of this year’s conference. The city’s downtown is undeniably rooted in legacy, a history we must

CONNECT. CONVENE. COLLABORATE.

recognize as we continue to shape and drive the future of transportation in the neighborhood.

Other HDR projects in the area embody this same focus on creating a better future for local transportation networks: the Southeast/Southwest Freeway Rehabilitation design will extend the life of a vital D.C. highway network; and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Maintenance Optimization & Technology Improvements (MOTI) group, with our support, will deliver solutions for the nation’s transit system.

As we reflect on the progress made in the past 55 years, we thank the pioneers who recognized the importance of transportation. Their example sets the high standard we can aspire to as we take up the torch, build on their successes, and deliver the next generation of infrastructure to our communities.

PROUDLY SERVING THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY ACROSS 41 CHAPTERS VISIT WWW.COMTO.ORG TO LEARN MORE AND BECOME A COMTO MEMBER TODAY

ACCELERATE

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LEGACY PARTNER

AECOM is Rooted in Legacy, Driving the Future of Transportation

By Veronica Vanterpool, Americas Transit Lead, SVP

In the transportation sector, one question we are often asking and solving for is “What Makes Things Move?”. In a literal context, transportation is primarily about the movement of people, goods and services. Whether you work in the public or private sector, transportation is about facilitating mobility within our networks made of tracks, pavement and steel. We build to connect, we build to sustain, we build to progress.

There are many ways to make things move. Efficient systems and streamlined processes make things move by reducing bottlenecks. Early coordination and collaboration move things along by minimizing risk that adds time and complexity. Project champions serve as accountable spokespeople who can help educate about the benefits of a project and the dividends of investment that squash persistent myths.

Effective stakeholder engagement and communication can ease friction by incorporating local knowledge and input into project development nurturing public acceptance.

People are the ones who translate mobility into actionable outcomes. Each project moves forward because of one person’s idea, belief, dedication, inspiration, tenacity and optimism manifested into designs, models and spreadsheets. People are the ones who translate mobility into actionable outcomes.

It is the planner working with a local transit agency to design a community’s first bus rapid transit project.

It is the engineer developing the specifications for tracks that will support faster, expanded rail service. It is the executive who embeds principles and values into sterile structures.

People forge partnerships that deliver infrastructure progress. As a global infrastructure firm, the local impacts of AECOM’s worldwide reach require partnerships forged on-the-ground. These partnerships, such as the one between AECOM and COMTO to provide technical assistance in 16 communities across the U.S., are a necessary connection to the benefits of our work.

At AECOM, we are always preparing for the future of transportation – today. The way we move things is rooted in legacy systems whether from bygone eras of freight railroads converted to light rail systems or hub and spoke transit networks that no longer reflect commuting patterns. This legacy is a blueprint that can and, sometimes, should be changed. AECOM is using yesterday’s legacy to make this change while addressing future decades of need.

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People are the ones who translate mobility into actionable outcomes.

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Good things start with amenities that help you reset.

After your flight, relax in lounges, grab a quick bite, or recharge your devices before you head to your next adventure.

Good things start here. phl.org

Good things start with amenities that help you reset.

After your flight, relax in lounges, grab a quick bite, or recharge your devices before you head to your next adventure.

Good things start here. phl.org

GOLD PARTNER

Rooted in People, Driven By Possibility: What a PeopleCentric, Tech-Enabled Future Looks Like

By Masai Lawson, Senior Talent Acquisition & DE&I Strategist

New technologies, shifting travel patterns, and growing demands are changing how systems are planned and delivered. One thing has not changed: transportation is about people.

At GFT, our aspiration to be the most people-centric firm in the AEC industry, powered by technology, starts there. It shapes how we approach every project, partnership, and community we serve.

Designing with People in Mind Being people-centric today means going beyond engagement. It means integrating human insight into every stage of decision-making. When those insights are brought into planning and design, projects better reflect how people live, move, and connect. That approach is essential in complex efforts like the Lowcountry Rapid Transit project in Charleston, South Carolina, where improving travel reliability and accessibility requires balancing mobility, connectivity, and community priorities.

Technology with Purpose Through advanced modeling, GIS, and digital delivery tools, teams can visualize outcomes and make more informed decisions earlier in the process. These tools help agencies evaluate trade-offs, improve coordination, and respond to real-world conditions.

On projects like the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor, the combination of technical precision and community insight supports solutions that are operationally effective and reflective of the communities they serve.

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Across multimodal systems, digital tools help teams anticipate how people will interact with infrastructure before it is built, leading to more adaptable designs. Technology is only as effective as the purpose behind it.

What sets a people-centric approach apart is how those tools are applied. It is not just about optimizing systems but improving outcomes for the people who rely on them.

Delivering Impact Through Partnership From procurement strategies to team structures, the way work is executed influences who participates and who benefits. On projects like the Penn-North Metro SubwayLink Station in Baltimore, community collaboration helped shape a design that reflects local identity while improving access and experience.

Inclusive partnerships help strengthen local economies while building trust that extends beyond a single project.

With more than a century of experience, GFT’s legacy guides how we move forward, combining proven practices with new technologies and delivery models to meet today’s challenges.

The future of transportation will be defined not just by innovation, but by impact. When people remain at the center, and technology is applied with purpose, infrastructure connects communities, expands opportunity, and supports a more resilient future.

ACCELERATE

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SILVER PARTNER

Navigating Change by Building Trust: Leading Through New Transportation Leadership

By Keith Benjamin, Vice President, National Cities Initiative Leader at STV As the nation approaches midterm elections, with the potential for new leadership and shifting policy priorities, transportation agencies find themselves at a critical inflection point: one that calls for clearer alignment between vision, investment, delivery models and outcomes for the communities we serve.

Leadership change brings fresh energy and new ideas but can also bring uncertainty. For state and local Departments of Transportation, as well as transit authorities and their partners, success requires preparing for change: by building trust early, listening intently and aligning infrastructure investment and delivery strategies with evolving community priorities.

Over the next year alone, dozens of gubernatorial and mayoral races will reset the leadership landscape in major metropolitan areas. Politicians aside, elections are how our communities tell us their priorities.

For transportation professionals, this is a strategic opportunity. Engaging early with incoming decision makers helps agencies and their partners shape projects so access, safety, and long term resilience is embedded from the start. This sets the project up for long-term success.

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Engaging early with incoming decision makers helps agencies and their partners shape projects so access, safety, and long term resilience is embedded from the start.

What distinguishes effective partners in these moments is presence. The most impactful teams are already part of the local conversations: working within coalitions, participating in community dialogue and understanding the pressures leaders face long before a procurement is released. This local fluency, paired with national perspective, helps bridge the gap between policy aspirations and practical delivery.

At STV we’ve seen how advisory-led engagement, before projects are fully defined, creates continuity where disruption might otherwise occur. By engaging early, we help clients move from uncertainty into alignment, connecting aviation investments to broader community outcomes while supporting more informed decisions about scope, risk and long-term value.

For agencies and community partners alike, the lesson is clear: engage early, listen first and lead with an understanding of people (not just projects). When delivery models, technical expertise and community priorities are aligned from the outset, projects are better positioned to succeed, regardless of political or economic shifts. When we invest in relationships that endure beyond election cycles, we create a foundation that supports safer roads, stronger transit systems and more connected communities.

As COMTO marks its 55th anniversary conference, we’re reminded of what has always moved our industry forward: leadership rooted in service, collaboration and a shared commitment to transportation that serves all.

ACCELERATE

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DIV_WHQ_KCM_COMTOAd_11816804875-Print.pdf 1 4/29/2026 11:05:46 AM

Collaboration is the catalyst for stronger communities OUR COMMITMENT

CTDOT/COMTO CT

Rooted in Legacy, Driving the Future of Transportation Congratulations to COMTO for its 55th Annual Meeting and Training Conference! The Connecticut Department of Transportation is proud of its continued partnership with COMTO. Together, we’re improving lives through transportation.

CONGRATULATIONS

TO COMTO

FOR ITS 55TH ANNUAL MEETING AND TRAINING CONFERENCE!

The Missouri Department of Transportation is proud of its partnership with COMTO. Together, we build connections with Missouri’s minority and disadvantaged communities.

■ MoDOT is now hiring in all areas of transportation at www.modot.org/careers.

■ Upcoming Design-Build projects and improvements to Interstate 70—offer contract opportunities to DBEs across the state.

Want to learn more? Contact MoDOT’s Businesses Development and Compliance division at: DBE@modot.mo.gov.

ADVOCATE PARTNER

Supporting expanded transit access on Chicago’s South Side, CHIN partners with agencies to deliver infrastructure that connects communities to opportunity.

R.M. Chin & Associates, Inc. Strong transportation systems aren’t just built – they’re earned through trust, clarity, and genuine community investment. Rooted in Chicago, R.M. Chin & Associates (CHIN) delivers high-quality infrastructure that communities rely on and benefit from. While known for public involvement, our work spans the complete project lifecycle, ensuring projects are not only built right, but built with purpose and people in mind. From transit improvements to major infrastructure programs, we translate complexity into outcomes that expand mobility and opportunity. As the industry looks ahead, one lesson is clear: lasting impact comes from partners who are genuinely invested.

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Celebrating access and opportunity

RTD is proud to join COMTO in supporting access and opportunity within the transportation industry. Together, we make lives better through connections.

rtd-denver.com

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COLLABORATIVE PARTNER

Building Transportation’s Workforce for the Future

By Jim Tymon, Executive Director It is no secret that the transportation industry has an all-encompassing need for an increasingly skilled workforce – one not just capable of building and maintaining physical infrastructure but developing and operating an increasingly complex suite of technologies that keeps the nation’s transportation system up and running with a high degree of safety, security, and efficiency.

Developing a pipeline of new transportation workers to replace an ever-increasing stream of retirees, while helping them develop new skillsets and satisfaction with the job, is absolutely crucial.

Yet it is a very different workforce market in which we are working today. People are not joining transportation agencies for a 20- or 30-year career these days like they used to – they are no longer the “lifetime” workers we had in the past.

In turn, that means transportation agencies need to adopt new recruiting and retention strategies. That includes communicating the rewards of a career in public service to younger workers. This means we must engage and connect with younger workers better; we need to show them how transportation matters in everyday life in communities large and small across America.

A fair and competitive wage needs to be the baseline through which we create the workforce we need, but we cannot build a great workforce through pay alone. We have to build it through culture, where people feel their worth; they feel safe; they know they’re contributing toward the greater good; and it is OK to have fun along the way as well. It is not just important to attract talent – we have to create a place where people want to stay and grow with the organization for the long term.

That also means searching for and recruiting that talent at ever younger ages. For example, we’ve designed AASHTO’s STEM Outreach Solutions technical service program for use in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math or “STEM” classes. We introduce middle and high school students to the “work world” of transportation and civil engineering – specifically by using a range of hands-on activities to ignite deeper engagement with our industry. This, at the very least, exposes younger people to the possibilities that lie in the transportation field.

It’s also about recruiting workers from the very communities in which we build transportation infrastructure – giving local residents access to the construction jobs that become available due to

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People are not joining transportation agencies for a 20- or 30-year career these days like they used to – they are no longer the “lifetime” workers we had in the past.

transportation projects in their areas, as well as access to training opportunities, particularly if they have limited experience in the construction industry.

We also have to stress what’s best about working for the transportation industry: that the work we do impacts everyone, especially in terms of their quality of life.

Making a difference and seeing direct impact of what we do will help us recruit and retain new workers across the transportation spectrum – especially among women and people of color. These jobs matter – not just to the workers and their families but to society as a whole.

Communicating the important role transportation plays and how a new generation of workers can find a great deal of meaning through that is one way we can build a robust workforce for the future.

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COLLABORATIVE PARTNER

Leadership at the Intersection of People, Technology and Partnerships

By Mark Chung, Executive Director and CEO, IBTTA Transportation is undergoing significant change. Emerging technologies, workforce shifts and growing infrastructure demands are reshaping how we plan, operate and invest in mobility systems. These changes create opportunity, but they also require leadership prepared to deliver results.

At IBTTA, we see this change through a distinctive lens. Our members plan, finance, build, operate and maintain critical transportation infrastructure, often supported by user-funded models that sustain longterm investment and innovation. As we often say, there are no free roads — only different models for funding the infrastructure people rely on every day. Working across infrastructure, finance and operations, we see firsthand that the future of transportation depends on three connected forces: people, technology and partnerships.

First, people remain at the center of progress. Innovation does not succeed on technology alone. It depends on leaders prepared to manage change, organizations committed to developing talent and teams equipped to adapt. Investing in people is essential to building resilient organizations prepared for the future.

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Second, technology is creating new opportunities across transportation. Artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, automation and data-driven tools are improving safety, efficiency and system performance.

Across user-funded transportation networks, these tools are helping agencies strengthen operations and deliver better outcomes. But technology is most effective when aligned with operational needs, public trust and measurable results.

Third, partnerships will determine how far progress can advance. No single agency, company or sector can meet today’s transportation challenges alone. Progress depends on collaboration among public agencies, private industry, technology innovators and mission-driven organizations. As COMTO marks its 55th anniversary, its legacy is a reminder that collaboration, opportunity and leadership development have long been essential to advancing transportation.

These priorities are connected. Technology depends on people prepared to lead it. Partnerships help innovation scale. Strong leadership brings all three together.

The future of mobility will be shaped not only by the tools we deploy, but by how we finance infrastructure, how we lead and how effectively we work together to deliver impact.

The path forward requires purpose, and leaders who connect people, technology and partnerships will help shape what comes next.

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Every trip opens doors to healthcare, employment and education.

We believe in creating a more inclusive and connected transportation system for all.

PROUD PARTNER OF Empowering The Next Generation of Transportation Leaders Paratransit  Microtransit  Shuttle Services  Fixed Route Operations

mtmtransit.com

The N.C. Department of Transportation is proud to be a member of COMTO and the driving force behind the COMTO North Carolina Chapter. For 55 years, COMTO has worked to strengthen and advance opportunities within the transportation industry.

We are committed to supporting that mission by creating pathways that help ensure transportation is accessible to all North Carolinians.

COLLABORATIVE PARTNER

Rooted in Legacy: LIT Celebrates COMTO’s 55 Years and Calls for Continued Investment in Proven Leadership

By Christina Villarreal, LIT Executive Director

What began as a focused effort to support Latino professionals has grown into a national organization serving a workforce across all backgrounds.

While we gather to celebrate COMTO’s 55 years of leadership excellence and community building, Latinos In Transit (LIT) is also approaching a defining milestone: 10 years of measurable impact in the public transportation industry. What began as a focused effort to support Latino professionals has grown into a national organization serving a workforce across all backgrounds. Today, LIT delivers leadership development, workforce training, and career advancement opportunities at scale.

The organization’s 2025 Annual Impact Report underscores that growth, with more than 20,560 individuals served through programs, mentorship, trainings, and national events. These numbers represent more than participation. They reflect real career movement, leadership development, and a growing pipeline of professionals prepared to lead the future of transit.

LIT’s impact has been strengthened through long-standing partnerships with organizations such as COMTO and WTS. Together, these organizations have built a foundation for workforce development, mentorship, and leadership pathways that continue to shape the industry. These are not new ideas. They are proven models supported by years of experience, real case studies, and measurable outcomes.

As LIT prepares to mark this milestone, the 2026 Leadership Summit in Columbus, Ohio, hosted by the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), represents a powerful full-circle moment.

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Monica Tellez Fowler President/CEO Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)

COTA CEO Monica Tellez-Fowler is a direct reflection of LIT’s long-term impact. As a member of the inaugural Leadership Academy class, she remained engaged through the Finance Committee and now serves on the Board of Directors. Her journey from participant to CEO demonstrates the kind of sustained career growth that organizations like LIT are designed to support.

As the industry continues to expand, new organizations will emerge and that growth should be welcomed. At the same time, it is important to recognize and sustain the organizations that have already done the work. Those with a decade or more of experience bring institutional knowledge, tested programs, and a track record of delivering results that cannot be replicated overnight.

The 2026 Leadership Summit will serve as both a celebration of LIT’s first 10 years and a call to action.

It is an opportunity for members, partners, sponsors, and industry leaders to recommit to investing in organizations that have demonstrated lasting impact. The future of the transit workforce depends not only on new ideas, but also on continuing to support what has already been proven to work

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COLLABORATIVE PARTNER

Building a Thriving Community

By Hilary Reeves, Marketing & Communications Director

When a big project appears on the horizon, how should local leaders respond?

In the early 2020s, news came that Amtrak trains might once again run between Reading, PA, and Philadelphia. Local leaders in the borough of Pottstown, where the train would stop, saw that renewed service likely would bring new investment. Led by the Pottstown Regional Community Foundation, they wanted to ensure that current residents and businesses could shape the project, addressing both longstanding needs and future economic vitality.

“It’s difficult to communicate to other funders that this is about far more than the train. There are so many touchpoints with the Foundation’s priorities. It’s about jobs, infrastructure, healthcare, and access to opportunity.”

— Howard Brown, Senior Program Officer, Pottstown Regional Community Foundation The Foundation leveraged its convening power and knowledge of the challenges already facing Pottstown to bring together stakeholders from across the region. From the beginning, there was intentionality about building a cross-sector group that could tap into the different experiences of living in Pottstown and the region. There also was a commitment to learning together.

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Photo of Pottstown train station, built in 1928.

Today, Pottstown Area Rapid Transit buses stop at the station. Credit: Pottstown Regional Community Foundation

Through what became annual delegations to the Mpact Transit + Community conference, Pottstown community members and leaders learned about transportation and transit-oriented development. They got to know how planning works: who makes decisions about funding and how development happens.

They met a range of people involved in this work, from city departments to transportation agencies, community-based organizations to funders. They heard stories about hard-won victories and persistent challenges.

While the Pottstown conference delegation deepened their understanding of ways to leverage their interests, the Pottstown Regional Community Foundation looked for ways to broaden support. In 2022, the Foundation partnered with the Montgomery County Planning Commission to apply for and win a Thriving Communities grant from the US Department of Transportation.

During a multi-day charette in 2025 funded through the Thriving Communities grant, Pottstown stakeholders embraced the Live Work Play framework, a model for revitalization that is seen as resilient and recession-proof because it draws housing, employment, retail and entertainment into a selfreinforcing ecosystem. Later in 2025, the Pottstown group started leveraging their knowledge and contacts to take action aligned with their vision for Live Work Play. They started new business initiatives, adjusted existing housing programs and won new funding for recreation. Planning for Amtrak service continues. In Pottstown, the wheels already are turning!

Read more:

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CONGRATULATIONS COMTO

FOR HOSTING THE 55TH NATIONAL MEETING AND TRAINING CONFERENCE IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL!!!

RIGOR MANAGEMENT CONNECT • COLLABORATE • EXECUTE CORE CAPABILITIES Program/Project Management | Strategic Planning | Organizational Development Technology-Driven Solutions: We specialize in the implementation of cloud-based enterprise systems that enhance governance, compliance, and operational efficiency. Our expertise includes HRIS, ERP, fare collection, timekeeping, and risk management solutions, modernizing outdated systems to improve security, scalability, and business performance.

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email: yjanniere@rigormanagement.com

Website: www.rigormanagement.com

CONNECTING COMMUNITIES Congratulations from St. Cloud (MN) Metro Bus to COMTO on 55 years of moving forward with a commitment to uplifting all people and ensuring transportation serves all.

ACCELERATE ACCELERATE is a publication of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO). Articles may not be reproduced without the publisher’s written permission.

PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF April Rai, President & CEO, COMTO STAFF WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS Delia Gonçalves Vice President, External Affairs

comto.org info@comto.org 202-506-2917 4121 Wilson Blvd., Suite 901 Arlington, VA 22203

Isabella Diecidue| Sr. Manager, Digital Strategy Cortney Whitlow Sr. Manager, Event Planning DESIGN Doug Hunley | Design DCH COMTO Headquarters 4121 Wilson Blvd Suite 901 Arlington, VA 22203 Phone: 202-506-2917 Email: info@comto.org Website: comto.org

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