Get ready for the APTA Legislative Advocacy Fly-In by attending APTA's briefing webinar, Wednesday, September 4, at 3:00pm ET.

We are hosting the Advocacy Fly-In for APTA members to visit with their Members of Congress on September 10. Online registration is available for the 2024 Fly-In.

The September 4 webinar will review schedules, discuss the Advocacy Day Soapbox platform, and share our latest advocacy tools.

Moderator:

• Melissa Mejias, APTA, Director, Government Affairs and Advocacy (GAA)

Panelists:

• Brian Tynan, Chair, APTA Business Member Legislative Subcommittee; and Corporate Vice President, Government Relations, AECOM
• Beth Holbrook, Chair, APTA Transit Board Members Legislative Subcommittee; and Trustee, Utah Transit Authority
• Stephen Kendrick, APTA, Senior Program Manager, Communications and Marketing
• Matt Dickens, APTA, Senior Director, Policy Development and Research, GAA
• Christopher Kush, CEO, Soapbox Consulting, LLC

APTA was thrilled to have Dr. Calvin Mackie as the keynote speaker at the 2024 Workforce Summit. Dr. Mackie introduced an innovative strategy for attracting and engaging the next generation of transit professionals. His approach focuses on exposing students to transportation careers early, aligning with the industry’s emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and addressing current trends like Zero Emission Buses, infrastructure redesign, and evolving transportation needs. In his keynote, Dr. Mackie highlighted how STEM NOLA has engaged over 125,000 K-12 students, many from low-income backgrounds, through hands-on STEM activities. He underscores the importance of early intervention: “If you wait until high school and college, you’re too late!”

Don’t miss this chance to hear from an award-winning mentor, former engineering professor, and internationally renowned speaker.

Remarks: Carita Ducre, VP, Workforce Development and Educational Services, American Public Transportation Association

Keynote Introduction: Billy Terry, Executive Director, National Transit Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Moderated Keynote Q&A:  Adelee Marie Le Grand, AICP, SVP Mobility + Engineering, Intellectual Concepts

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Calvin Mackie, CEO, President and Founder, STEM NOLA and ChannelZerO Group LLC

APTA’s first ever Workforce Summit! APTA members will exchange ideas and best practices and learn about successful strategies for recruiting, reskilling, and retaining the public transit workforce. The pre-conference live podcast will explore funding sources for workforce initiatives. Guest speakers, subject matter experts, and CEOs will inspire you to implement NEW strategies, tools, and partnerships while being candid about lessons learned. Explore the Workforce Innovation Showcase to learn about innovative products, services, and organizations that support workforce development. Leave with an action plan to boost workforce initiatives at your organization.

Who Should View: Anyone with a vested interest in growing and sustaining the public transportation workforce – executives, managers, thought leaders, practitioners – and all who are interested in tapping into workforce funding, best practices, and partnerships.

Operators identify work schedules as a key reason for being dissatisfied with the job or quitting. Join this session to meet the scheduling and planning experts and learn more about the tools to help the industry tap into cutting edge methods that assist in retaining operators by:

• Using rostering as a best practice to positively impact the quality of life for frontline staff
• Using rostering processes, technology, and lessons learned to partner with key stakeholders involved in planning and scheduling

Moderator:

• Sherri Dickerson, Executive Vice President/Chief People Officer, WMATA

Speakers:

• Aaron Vogel, Chief Operating Officer, IndyGo
• John Lyons, Director of Joint Industry Councils and Collective Bargaining, Amalgamated Transit Union
• Russell Bateman, Training and Education Administrator, Amalgamated Transit Union
• Pierre Giroux, Account Manager – USA Market Lead, GIRO
• Kristi Urich, Product Director, Trapeze
• Reinaldo Germano, Project Manager & Senior Transportation Planner, Foursquare ITP

This session introduces you to a few of the CEOs who understand that they play a critical role in resolving the workforce shortage crisis. Long gone are the days when recruitment and retention were only an issue for HR. These industry leaders invite you to join them on the journey to create a culture that opens doors for building talent pipelines and retaining top talent in our industry.

• India L. Birdsong Terry, General Manager & CEO, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
• Raquel Olivier, Board Member/Founder and President/CEO, Olivier, Inc.
• Rashidi Barnes, CEO, Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority

Get ready to kick-start the workforce summit and join industry peers for the next two days packed with learning and networking. The opening session will feature APTA leadership and an engaging keynote address.

Chair’s Welcome:  Michele Wong Krause, Chair, APTA; Past Chair, DART Board of Directors 2021-2023, Dallas Area Rapid Transit

A Vision for Workforce: Amit Bose, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation

Special Remarks:  Catherine Teebay, Special Advisor for Policy & Program Implementation, Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

President’s Welcome & Keynote Introduction:  Paul P. Skoutelas, President and CEO, American Public Transportation Association

Keynote Speaker:  Randy Clarke, General Manager and CEO, WMATA

Media coverage of transit worker assaults and security incidents impact our industry’s perception in the communities we serve and may deter those who are interested in pursuing career opportunities. Organizations with a reputation of valuing and prioritizing employee health, safety, and well-being are more likely to attract and retain talent in today’s workplace. This 90-minute webinar will highlight successful strategies, resources, and tools that help workers feel safe and secure at work, both physically and emotionally. 

Panelists:

• Trish Collins - Chair, APTA Labor and Employee Relations Subcommittee, Director of Human Resources, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)
• George Fields, Vice Chair, APTA Labor and Employee Relations Subcommittee, Deputy General Manager - Human Resources, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA)
• Troy Jackson - Director, Transportation Safety Institute (TSI)
• Jamaine Gibson – Director of Apprenticeship and Mentorship Programs, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU)
• Sonya Morrison – Chief People Officer, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)
• Tricia Prince – Training and Development Coordinator, Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority

Transit capital projects address community and regional needs in a variety of ways.   Over the past year, transit agencies across the country have opened new lines, extended service to new parts of their regions, and upgraded operational and environmental performance through improvements such as electrification and double tracking.  Sponsors of transformational capital projects will describe how their projects were envisioned, designed, funded, built, and poised to provide public benefits.  Each project is a reflection of ways the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is being utilized to make big things happen.

Closing Remarks:

• Paul P. Skoutelas, President and CEO, American Public Transportation Association

Moderator:

• Julie Kirschbaum, Director of Transit, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni)

Panelists:

• Jessica Mefford-Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Valley Metro 
• Michelle Bouchard, Executive Director, Caltrain (Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board) 
• Lori Kahikina, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation

For all rail modes – urban, commuter, high-speed, and intercity – this technical conference features sessions on technology, operations, maintenance, safety & security, planning, finance, capital projects, workforce development, and more. Experience the latest industry advances at the Products & Services Showcase and join the technical tours.

Who should attend: rail and paratransit system employees and managers, planners, board members, contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, and consultants.

Purchasing this package will give you access to all recordings.  To access individual recordings, please see individual products.

Please join us to hear from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and Amtrak as they share their current policies, initiatives, and trends in passenger rail.

Featured Speakers:

• Jennifer Mitchell, Deputy Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration 
• Roger Harris, President, Amtrak