Celebrating Women Who Move The Nation Program Book 2024

2024 AWARDS CEREMONY April 10, 2024 | 8:00am — 10:00am Smithsonian American Art Museum & National Portrait Gallery Washington D.C.

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Welcome

We warmly welcome you to the 13th annual Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation (CWWMN) awards breakfast, hosted by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery.

To date, COMTO has recognized and honored 142 remarkable women making outstanding contributions to the transportation industry across modes. These amazing women inspire us all and carve a path ahead for the next generation of transportation leaders.

Inductees of the 2024 class of CWWMN honorees encompass a diverse spectrum of multi-modal transportation, spanning both the public and private sectors. This highly anticipated annual event uplifts women who positively contribute to the transportation industry, often quietly, not seeking recognition. The sold-out audience of transportation leadership in attendance is a true testament to the impact of these trailblazers who embody all that COMTO stands for, leadership reflecting the complex mosaic of those served.

Please join us in elevating and celebrating 10 amazing women, transforming transportation, moving the Nation and beyond!

Tanya Adams

April Rai

Board Chair, COMTO

President & CEO, COMTO

Senior Vice President Diversity & Inclusion, WSP, USA

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Awards Program 2024 AWARDS CEREMONY | APRIL 10, 2024 | 8:00AM — 10:00AM SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM & NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY WASHINGTON D.C. OPENING REMARKS

BREAKFAST IS SERVED

Tanya Adams

INTRODUCTION OF EMCEE

Chair, COMTO Board of Directors

Delia Gonçalves

Dr. Lester Woods First Vice Chair, COMTO Board of Directors

Reporter-Anchor, WUSA9

Veronica Vanterpool

HONOREES INVITED ON STAGE

Acting Administrator, Federal Transit Administration

PRESENTATION OF AWARDS

Polly Trottenberg Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation

CLOSING REMARKS

Our Emcee

Delia Gonçalves is an award-winning journalist with a proven track record of amplifying stories that lead to lasting impact, including legislation and government agency re-organizations.

She has dedicated her 23-year career to elevating the untold stories in our communities highlighting inequities in housing, healthcare, and education. Delia has spent the last 13 years driving change and holding the powerful accountable in Washington, DC. You can watch

Delia Gonçalves Reporter-Anchor, WUSA9

Delia’s unique storytelling most weekday evenings on WUSA9. Delia has earned 5 Regional Emmy Awards for her reporting and anchoring. She’s also been honored by the National Association of Black Journalists with 2 Excellence Awards.

Twitter: @DeliaNGoncalves Instagram: @DeliaNGoncalves Facebook: www.facebook.com/DeliaGoncalvesTV

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National Leadership NATIONAL CHAIR

COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS REPRESENTATIVE

Tanya Adams

Quincy Howard

Senior Vice President, Inclusion & Diversity WSP USA

Senior Compliance Supplier Diversity Officer Maxx Impact Group

FIRST VICE CHAIR

Demauris Terry

Dr. Lester Woods

Executive Vice President/COO BA Inc.

Chief Administrative Officer Missouri Department of Transportation (Modot)

SECOND VICE CHAIR Gwendolen Gray

Director, Business Services Leading Edge Business Solutions, LLC

Project Controls Director & Vice President HNTB

BOARD ADVISORS

SECRETARY/TREASURER

President & Chief Communications Officer G. W. Peoples Contracting Co., Inc. (GWP)

Michelle Hiett President/CEO Hie-Den, LLC

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Freddie Fuller Vice President & Director of Sales, East Central Jacobs

MEMBER-AT-LARGE Regine Beauboeuf Senior Vice President/Program Equity Advisor HNTB

Yvette Janniere-Houlder Chief Executive Officer Rigor Management

Ruben Landa Assistant Vice President / Texas Business Leader Communications & Public Involvement WSP Usa

Melissa Rolle-Scott Assistant Director and Chief Administrative Officer Miami-Dade Department Of Transportation & Public Works (DTPW)

Keisha Campbell Chief Diversity & Culture Officer Toronto Transit Commission

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Bianca Graves

Renee Banks

Christian Kent Principal Transit Management Consulting, LLC

CELEBRATING WOMEN WHO MOVE THE NATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS Tanya Adams WSP USA

Rhonda Briggins Jacobs

Carmen Garcia ABRAC, LLC

Greer Gillis Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA)

Ivoire Lloyd EXP

Emille Williams

Council of Presidents

Alabama Brenda Perryman Arizona Gary Flunoy Atlanta Aaron Davis Austin Yannis Banks Boston Aboubacar Konate Central Florida Iranetta Dennis Chicago Rovaughn Graham Cincinnati Sally Stewart McKinnie Cleveland Jarrett Davis Colorado Rico Nelson

Columbus Quincy Howard Connecticut Sharon Okoye District of Columbia Jeff Parker Ft. Lauderdale Rogelio Hendricks Hampton Roads Keisha Branch Hawaii Steven Nieves Houston Steve Granson Jacksonville Donovan Calicker Kansas City Maurice Gay Louisiana Paula Roddy

Maryland Enyinna Anthony Memphis Bacarra Mauldin Miami Wade Jones Michigan Bianca Graves Minnesota Tekia Jefferson Nashville Kia Lewis New York Rich Watson North Carolina Ebony Pittman North Texas Marvin Jackson Northern California DeNise Blake

Oregon/SW Washington Robin Thlehhema Palm Beach County Ann McNeil Philadelphia Daniel Villanueva Pittsburgh Charles Reeves Richmond Joe Dillard Jr. San Antonio Maurice Bridges Southern California Demauris Terry St. Louis Vivian Martain Toronto & Region Annette Salfarlie Washington State Grantley Martelly *As of January 2024

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Past Honorees 2023

2019

Henrika Buchanan Private Sector

Joanna M. Pinkerton P.E Public Transportation

Trudy Bartley Academia

Debra Johnson Public Sector

Veronica Castro de Barrera Private Sector

Lynda Tran Public Sector

Honorable Joyce Beatty Shirley A. DeLibero Award

Gabriele Mack Private Sector

Denise Turner Roth Private Sector

Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker Public Sector

Elsa Ortiz Chairman’s Eagle Award

Veronica Vanterpool Public Sector

Jannet Walker Ford Private Sector

J. Somer Shindler Aviation

Inez Evans Shirley DeLibero Award

Meshelle Howard Public Sector

Carol Wise Public Sector

Cynthia Guidry Aviation Captain Zeita Merchant Maritime Raquel Olivier Historically Underutilized Business

2018

2022 Nancy Pelosi Living Legend

Trenelle Doyle Micro Mobility

Alva Carrasco Advocacy

Claire M. Williams Private Sector

Petra Mollet Advocacy

Beverly J. Watts Public Sector

Vanessa E. Wyche Aeronautics

Verdenia C. Baker Public Sector

Carole Hopson Aviation

Ari Jolly Public Transportation

Dawn Tucker-Thomas Federal Government

Melissa Rolle-Scott Public Transportation

Muriel Bowser Local Government

Michele Wong Krause Public Transportation

Latronia Durham Logistics

Kimberly Slaughter Shirley DeLibero Award

2020-2021 Regine Beauboeuf Private Sector

Helen McSwain Shirley DeLibero Award

Jan Prysby Bryson Private Sector

Anita Miller Public Transportation

Dr. Christine Darden Lifetime Achievement Award

Jennifer Mitchell State Government

Linda Darr Advocacy Shannetta Griffin Aviation Julie Green Private Sector Angie Rivera-Malpiede Public Sector

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Nicole Nason Federal Government Suzanne Shank Private Sector Mayor Sharon Weston Broome Local Government

Barbara Arens Private Sector

Ryland McClendon Public Sector

Rosa Beckett Aviation

Donna McNamee Advocacy

Heather Berry Prvate Sector

Diana Mendes Shirley A. DeLibero

Alice Bravo Public Sector

Michelle Pourciau Public Sector

Jill Chen-Stober Chairman’s Eagle

Leslie Richards State Government

Kim Day Aviation

Stephanie Wiggins Public Sector

Christy Hall State Government

Diane Woodend-Jones Private Sector

Lisa Winston Hicks Private Sector

2017 Juanita Abernathy Lifetime Achievement Margareth Bonds Chairman’s Eagle Thella Bowens Labor Ginger Evans Aviation Greer Gillis U.S. Government Sharon Greene Private Sector

Veronique “Ronnie” Hakim State Government Bertha Henry Legislator Loretta Kirk Public Transportation Anne McNeill Academia Terry Solís Advocacy

2016

2013

Kimberly Avery Chairman’s Eagle

Mary V. King Posthumous

Gina F. Adams Private Sector

Gloria J. Jeff, AICP Highways

Flora M. Castillo, C.H.I.E. Advocacy

Feysan Lodde Private Sector

Rosemarie Andolino Aviation

Ysela Llort Public Transportation

Grace Crunican Shirley A. DeLibero

Valarie McCall, Ph.D. Public Sector

India Birdsong Chairman’s Eagle

Joan McDonald State Government

Deborah Flint Aviation

Margaret O’Meara Private Sector

Anne P. Canby Advocacy

Cheryl McKissack Daniel Private Sector

Polly Hanson Rail

Dr. Karen E. Philbrick Academia

Helen L. Dale Shirley A. DeLibero

Bryna Helfer, Ph.D. Federal Government

Leanne Redden Public Sector

Grindly Johnson State Government

he Honorable T. Bella T Dinh Zarr, Ph. D., MPH Federal Government

he Honorable Tammy T Duckworth Lifetime Achievement

Deryl McKissack, PE, PMP Private Sector

2015 India Birdsong Chairman’s Eagle Chellie Cameron Aviation Ann Dawson-August Public Transportation Marcia Ferranto Advocacy Carolyn Flowers U.S. Government Deborah Hersman Multimodal

The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton Legislator Cynthia Jones Parks Private Sector Joy Rohadfox Private Sector Polly Trottenberg State Government Victoria Wassmer Aviation

Ysela Llort Public Transportation

Kimberly Avery Chairman’s Eagle Diane Babineaux Labor Tracey Bessellieu Shirley A. DeLibero Grace Crunican Shirley A. DeLibero Dr. Barbara Gannon Academia Jacqueline Hinman Private Sector

he Honorable Eddie T Bernice Johnson Legislator

Polly Trottenberg State Government

2012 Laura Barrett Advocacy

Nene Foxhall Aviation

The Honorable Marion C. Blakey Aviation

The Honorable Camille M. Hazeur U.S. Government

Jane A. Chmielinski Private Sector

Paula P. Hochstetler Aviation

The Honorable Corrine Brown Lifetime Achievement

The Honorable Grace Napolitano Legislator

The Honorable Rina Cutler Local Government

Beverly A. Scott, Ph.D. Public Transportation

Shirley DeLibero Shirley A. DeLibero

2014 Dr. Maya Angelou Lifetime Achievement

Carolyn Flowers U.S. Government

Therese W. McMillan Federal Government

The Honorable Nuria I. Fernandez Public Transportation

he Honorable Beverly L. T Swaim-Staley Multimodal Victoria Wassmer Aviation

Grindly Johnson State Government Andrella Kenner Aviation Susan Kurland U.S. Government Karen Rae State Government Shelby Scales Advocacy

Catherine Hudgins Public Transportation

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Monica Backmon 2024 TRANSPORTATION HONOREE CEO, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Monica Backmon is the Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) and has led NVTA since May 2014. Bringing more than 25 years of public and private sector transportation experience, Ms. Backmon oversees the region’s longrange planning, prioritization, and funding of regionally significant projects bringing multimodal transportation solutions to Northern Virginia. Managing an annual revenue stream provided through House Bill 2313 that is trending at $425 million per year, Ms. Backmon led the NVTA through the adoption of all six funding programs, the most recent occurring in July of 2022. With the implementation of NVTA’s funding programs, NVTA is advancing 122 regional multimodal transportation projects totaling nearly $3.12 billion for congestion reduction throughout the region. Ms. Backmon also oversees the distribution of $110 million annually to the Authority’s nine member localities for their local transportation priorities, which surpassed a total of $1 billion in September 2023.

Under Ms. Backmon’s leadership, NVTA adopted the update to TransAction, Northern Virginia’s long-range transportation plan, for the third time in December 2022. TransAction includes elements of technology and innovation and an emerging regional Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system amongst its 424 projects.

For her outstanding work, Ms. Backmon has been honored with multiple awards including Women’s Transportation Seminar D.C.’s Woman of the Year (2022) and Metropolitan Washington Council of Government’s Ronald F. Kirby Award for Collaborative Leadership (2022). She has also been acknowledged as an influential figure in the industry, earning recognition in the Virginia 500 (2023 Power List) and the Power 100 (2022) by the Washington Business Journal.

Prior to her tenure with NVTA, Ms. Backmon served for a decade as Prince William County’s Regional Transportation Planner. She has established herself as a leader in the region through her collaborative work with local governments, the Commonwealth of Virginia, regional entities, and transit agencies. Ms. Backmon holds a B.A. in Psychology and a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation

Donna Berry, PE 2024 TRANSPORTATION HONOREE Deputy Director of Project Delivery and Chief Engineer, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Donna Berry is the Chief Engineer and Deputy Director for Project Delivery at the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Donna is responsible for all guidance and policy for the delivery of Caltrans’ statewide transportation projects. Her oversight plays an essential part of Caltrans’ charge as a state DOT: She manages six headquarters divisions and leads over 11,000 Project Delivery employees statewide who are responsible for delivering the annual Capital Improvement Project program, valued at over $5 billion annually. Donna is the first African American woman to serve in this critical role for the Department.

Donna joined Caltrans after graduating from the University of California at Davis with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Donna has nearly thirty years of experience working on a wide variety of transportation projects, and she embodies a broad range of experience delivering collaborative solutions with internal and external stakeholders. From her work on an extensive range of transportation projects, Donna became a subject matter expert for the Department and for California, which now leads the nation in efficient asset management and effective project delivery using limited transportation funding.

Donna remains committed to mentorship, team building, optimism, and collaboration to enhance effective communication. Donna is an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and continues to work with NSBE to encourage students to pursue careers in STEM. Donna is a member of Women in Transportation (WTS) whose mission is to advance women’s careers in the transportation industry. Donna is a founding member of Sisters of Nia, Inc., an organization that aims to develop the natural strengths of girls through the teaching of Afrocentric values while encouraging them to live their life with a purpose.

Donna is a licensed professional civil engineer in California where she enjoys an active family life with her husband Greg and two adult sons, Elijah and Gabriel.

Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation

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Veronica O. Davis, PE 2024

PRIVATE SECTOR HONOREE

Director of Cities Program for AtkinsRéalis Veronica O. Davis, PE is a self-described transportation nerd and author of Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities. She believes everyone should have access to safe, reliable, and affordable transportation.

She is currently the Director of Cities Program for AtkinsRéalis. She has over twenty years of experience in civil engineering and planning. Under the Mayor Turner Administration, she was the Director of Transportation & Drainage Operations for the City of Houston.

She is also the co-founder and former Managing Partner at Nspiregreen LLC. She is one of the co-founders of Black Women Bike (BWB). She was the Vice President and City of Houston representative on the National Association of City Transportation Officials.

She earned her dual Masters Degrees (Engineering Management and Regional Planning) from Cornell University. She has a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Maryland. In July 2012, the White House recognized her as a Champion of Change and Transportation Innovator for her professional accomplishments and community advocacy in transportation.

She currently lives in Houston, Texas with her husband and daughter.

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Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation

Dr. Shelley Francis 2024

INNOVATION HONOREE

Co-Founder, Managing Partner, EVNoire Dr. Shelley Francis is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of EVNoire, an award-winning, tech consultancy working on electric, connected, shared, and autonomous vehicle solutions.

She is also the founder of EVHybridNoire, the nation’s largest network of diverse EV drivers and enthusiasts who are focused on increasing EV adoption and awareness in under-represented communities. Dr. Francis, is a former Medical School Faculty member, a public health executive, entrepreneur and transportation disruptor who utilizes her years of expertise to integrate e-mobility best practices, diversity, equity, inclusion, and public health into the transportation sector. Dr. Francis was a director at Georgia’s Department of Public Health. She taught public health and mentored medical and graduate students at the Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina Central University, and Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Francis is recognized as a national thought leader in Best Practices, E-Mobility and Public Health Disparities.

She is laser-focused and passionate about educating a wider community about the health, financial, and other benefits of multimodal, clean transportation and EVs – particularly among communities impacted worst and first by air pollution. Dr. Francis has been recognized by the Progressive Change Institute as a top leader in the environmental sector and serves on the Electric Vehicle Association National Board.

EVNoire serves as a national thought leader in community engagement, research/focus groups, awareness, education and outreach, expanding charging infrastructure, fleet deployment, marketing/launches, workplace charging, beneficial public policy advocacy and providing resources and access to underserved and diverse communities around affordable cleaner and greener sustainable energy vehicles and platforms. www.evnoire.com EVHybridNoire is an award-winning, national 501(c)3 focused on accelerating equitable, multimodal e-mobility solutions. EVHybridNoire’s work includes advocacy campaigns, research through leadership, and programming in diverse communities including African American, LatinX, Tribal communities, LGBT+, young professionals, women, retirees, refugee and immigrant and rural communities and more.

EVHybridNoire has thousands of members and chapters located across the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.

Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation

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Gloria Frank 2024

PUBLIC SECTOR HONOREE

Chief of Police, Port Authority New York, New Jersey Gloria T. Frank has over 25 years of dedicated public service with the Port Authority of NY/NJ Police Department (PAPD), the largest transportation police force in the US. Chief Frank has spent her career commanding patrol functions, while ensuring infrastructure and customer safety and security with a strong focus on counterterrorism. With over 2,100 sworn officers, PAPD is responsible for securing 13 critical transportation facilities covering air, land, rail, and sea in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. This includes three major airports within the busiest airspace on the East Coast; four bi-state bridges including the George Washington Bridge, the busiest bridge in the world; two interstate tunnels; the Midtown Bus Terminal, the world’s largest and busiest bus terminal; the 13-station PATH rail system; the busiest seaport on the East Coast; and the iconic 16-acre World Trade Center campus With years of experience as an assistant chief of police for the agency’s airports, Chief Frank innovated several key programs and exercises that have become department-wide standards. Some of these programs include strengthening mutual aid partnerships through response drills and tabletop exercises, streamlining interagency communications in preparation for serious airport emergencies, and the development of a three-tiered airport security breach identification system.

In 2022, Chief Frank was promoted to three-star police chief, becoming the first woman in department history to achieve this prestigious rank. In her current role as chief of agency affairs, she works to promote fair recruitment, hiring, and promotional practices within the department. She collaborates with Port Authority leadership in the areas of human resources, government-community relations, and diversity, equity and inclusion to ensure the police force reflects the communities served by the agency.

Chief Frank holds an MA in human resources training and development from Seton Hall University; a graduate certificate in criminal justice education from the University of Virginia; and a BA in sociology from Hunter College.

Chief Frank is a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy. She is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Association of Women Police, and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.

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Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation

Carmencita Mitchell 2024

TRANSIT BOARD HONOREE

Chair, Palm Tran Service Board, and Palm Beach State College Professor Carmencita Mitchell is a passionate servantleader committed to quality enhancement in public transportation, education and housing. She holds a baccalaureate degree in Humanities from New York University, an MA in English from St. John’s University, an M. Ed in Higher Education Leadership from Lynn University and is currently pursuing doctoral work. For the past 23 years, she has taught English Composition, Literature, Business Writing, Public Speaking, and Student Life Skills at several universities. She is presently a tenure-track faculty member at Palm Beach State College where she also serves as English department cluster chair for the five campuses.

Carmencita—appointed by the Palm Beach Board of County Commissioners—serves as the Chairwoman of the board to the Palm Tran Service Board (PTSB), sits on its two standing sub-committees, and holds public meetings and hearings on transit concerns and service changes for both fixed-route and paratransit service. She recently joined the COMTO Accessibility Advisory Council and was featured as a panelist at the 2023 COMTO webinar “A Seat at the Table: People with Disabilities Leading in Public Transit”; and will deliver the Keynote address for the 2024 Professional Development Day for COMTO Fort Lauderdale.

Carmencita also serves on the board of the Florida College English Association, and as Vice-Chair of the Board for Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches where she also volunteers. She is also a member of the president’s advisory panel for the Hadley Institute for the Blind, where she offers advice on improvement to their educational programs for the blind and visually impaired.

In addition to her work and advocacy for those who are transportation disadvantaged, Carmencita is also an approved Silver Sneakers Fitness and dance instructor and holds various certifications in yoga and group fitness as well as in CPR, AED, and First Aid from the American Heart Association. Carmencita believes that sustainable transportation—in congruence with the Palm Tran mission of providing access to opportunity for all, in a manner that is safe, efficient, and courteous—is the right of every citizen.

Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation

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Rear Admiral, Ann C. Phillips 2024

MARITIME HONOREE

Administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, US Navy (Ret.) was sworn in as the 20th Administrator for the Department of Transportation Maritime Administration on May 16, 2022.

As head of the Maritime Administration, Phillips advises and assists the Secretary of Transportation on commercial maritime matters, to include the movement of goods, supply chain, as well as the U.S. maritime industry, environment and compliance, ports and waterways infrastructure, and strategic sealift. She engages public and private stakeholders in the maritime industry and oversees the U.S Merchant Marine Academy.

Prior to this appointment, Phillips served as the first Special Assistant to the Governor of Virginia for Coastal Adaptation and Protection, where she built a collaborative, whole of government and community approach to address the impact of coastal flooding across the Commonwealth, including the development of Virginia’s first Coastal Resilience Master Plan.

Phillips served nearly 31 years on active duty as a Surface Warfare Officer. She holds a Master of Business Administration from The College of William & Mary—Raymond A. Mason School of Business, and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation

Yovannie Rodriguez, Esq. A.A.E 2024

AVIATION HONOREE

Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and the former Deputy General Counsel for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Ms. Rodriguez serves on the executive team and provides guidance and leadership on a wide variety of matters related to all aspects of airport business and operations. She is responsible for the overall development and activities of Concessions, Small Business Programs, Records Management, Human Resources and Regulatory Compliance functions of the Aviation Authority. She assists the CEO in achieving strategic development of Orlando International Airport by directing administrative objectives and administrative controls, policies and procedures resulting in the efficient and effective accomplishment of strategic and tactical objectives. Ms. Rodriguez served as the senior member of the 2023 Strategic Plan Steering Committee which developed the strategic mission, vision and values for one of the busiest large hub airports in the country.

As the former Deputy General Counsel for the Aviation Authority, Ms. Rodriguez counseled on Capital Improvement Programs involving cumulatively over $5 billion in infrastructure development including a multimodal complex, related improvements, transportation infrastructure, a new terminal complex, development of procurement plans, contract documents, as well as, small business participation across the campus and including the construction management teams as well as construction subcontractors.

Ms. Rodriguez is a champion of small and disadvantaged business and is regularly called upon by the Federal Aviation Administration, Airports Council International and American Association of Airport Executives to speak and train airports on the various program and compliance requirements. Nationally, she serves on the ACI Legal Steering Committee. She also serves as a mentor to airport employees studying to attain the airport certified member accreditation, Oakridge High School aviation magnet students and several young women of color starting out their careers as young lawyers. Locally, she serves as a director on the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Track Shack Foundation that supports sports programs in the local school district.

In her free time Yovannie loves tennis, yoga, is an avid reader and spends as much time as possible with her college-age daughter.

Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation

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Janice R. Thomas 2024

TRANSIT HONOREE

Deputy Executive Director, External Affairs, METRA Ms. Thomas brings more than 25 years of government experience to her role as Deputy Executive Director, External Affairs, a position she assumed in March 2022.

Among her key responsibilities is serving as an effective communicator and strategic advisor and planner to the CEO. Helping to manage the nation’s fourth largest commuter rail system, Ms. Thomas oversees special projects and key initiatives solving complex issues demanding executive leadership.

Among her many responsibilities, Ms. Thomas directs and manages the customer service, media relations/ communications, government affairs, marketing, and community relations teams for Metra.

Most recently, she has played a major role in Metra’s response to the coronavirus and was a keynote speaker at the Chicago Safe Return To Work Summit sponsored by Metra and the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago, which was attended by over 1,100 senior business executives and HR professionals.

During her tenure at Metra, which began in 2010, Ms. Thomas has served the agency in a variety of supervisory and managerial positions, including as Chief of Staff and Senior Division Director of Business Diversity & Community Relations. In the latter role, she successfully oversaw the administration and management of community relations, the DBE program, including certifications, contract and labor compliance, outreach, and the Title VI program.

Prior to joining Metra, Ms. Thomas served as the minority and female business enterprise coordinator in the purchasing division of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She began her career in 1997 as a compliance coordinator for the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS).

Ms. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Chicago State University. She is a certified professional public buyer (CPPB) and a professional member of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP). She is also a graduate of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Leadership Program for executive professionals and a graduate of the Eno Transit Senior Executive Program. November 1, 2022, Ms. Thomas was honored by the House of Representatives of the United States of America with a Congressional Record as a constituent of high distinction for exceptional leadership at Metra as the highest-ranking woman of color in history.

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Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation

Charlotte Shaw 2024

TRANSIT HONOREE

Executive Director/CEO MAX Transit, Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority Charlotte Shaw is a seasoned leader and multi-modal expert with over 30 years of leadership experience in the disciplines of capital programs, procurement, project and program management, construction and professional services in both the public and private sectors.

As the Chief Executive Officer at Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) since 2021, she has excelled in strategic planning, innovative project management, and fostering key partnerships with a wide spectrum of professionals, multidisciplinary teams, and stakeholders. Her background in capital improvements and contract management from roles at the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and other esteemed organizations, has been essential to her success at BJCTA. Shaw’s impactful leadership and guidance have transformed transit operations for BJCTA. Her strategic initiatives have fortified partnerships with labor unions and have secured substantial multi-million dollar federal and local grants, which enhanced transportation infrastructure without compromising service quality. During the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, she introduced cutting-edge technologies that boosted the local economy by over $165 million. Recognized for her achievements, Shaw holds various memberships in prestigious industry associations. In 2023, she was named the Executive Leader of the Year by the Minority Business Awards. In addition, she was elected as the Second Vice-President of the Transportation Association of Alabama (TAA) Board of Directors. Most recently, she was selected as one of the national honorees for Women Who Move the Nation by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) and will be receiving that recognition this April in Washington, D.C. She was chosen for Leadership Birmingham Class of 2024.

Shaw holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Urban Studies and Public Administration from Drake University and is one of a few leaders to hold an Asset Management Certification. She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), Women in Transportation (WTS), Project Management Institute (PMI), National Association of Female Executives (NAFE) and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA). Charlotte Shaw is not only a visionary in public transportation but also a symbol of excellence in leadership, a dynamic public speaker, and an exceptional role model.

Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation

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CONGRATULATIONS

2024 COMTO AWARD RECIPIENTS

CELEBRATING WOMEN WHO MOVE THE NATION Thank you for your outstanding contributions to advancing America’s transportation industry.

Congratulations on being recognized as an Aviation Honoree for the ‘Women Who Move The Nation’ Award Y OVA N NI E RO DRI G U E Z , Esq., AAE Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority

Orlandoairports.net

DELIVERING PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES SINCE 1992 SERVICES Geotechnical Geotechnical Engineering Services

Congratulations!

Mana

Janice R. Thomas Pr Deputy Executive Director, External Affairs, METRA 2024 COMTO Women Who Move the Nation Honoree

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Vontas is proud to support COMTO’s 2024 Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation Awards.

Congratulations to this year’s honorees who lead and advance America’s transportation industry!

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Synnov is proud to support COMTO’s 2024 Women Who Move the Nation Awards. Our sincerest congratulations go out to all of the incredible honorees who continue to inspire and make a positive impact in our communities.

Synnov takes great pride in supporting women who are at the forefront of the transportation industry, paving the way for future generations. As a minoritywomen owned firm with a workforce that is composed of 81% women and minorities, Synnov is dedicated to being a strong pillar of support for years to come.

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Janice Thomas Deputy Executive Director, External Affairs at Metra Commuter Rail On This Well-Deserved Award Thank you for your leadership and dedication to Metra and the Metra PMO.

STV is thrilled to extend heartfelt congratulations to Janice R. Thomas for her recognition as a COMTO Women Who Move the Nation Honoree.

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Congratulations to Janice Thomas!

COMTO Women Who Move the Nation Honoree

Join us in celebrating the remarkable women who are driving change and shaping the future of infrastructure!

A special congratulations to Janice R. Thomas for being honored, recognizing her outstanding leadership and dedication to moving our local communities forward.

Founded in 1944, Lochner is an infrastructure services provider for aviation, surface transportation, and water clients across the nation.

Janice R. Thomas Deputy Executive Director, External Af f airs | Metra

www.hwlochner.com

The Organization of Black Maritime Graduates congratulates Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, USN (Ret.), and all honorees, on induction into COMTO’s Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation signature class of leaders.

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About Our Vision Our vision is to ensure full access for minorities in transportation while preparing and positioning leaders for rapidly evolving global opportunities.

The voice of equity in transportation Our Mission Our mission is to ensure opportunities and maximum participation in the transportation industry for minority individuals, veterans, people with disabilities and certified MWDBE businesses through leadership training, professional development, scholarship and internship funding, political advocacy, partnership building and networking opportunities.

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