Please join us for opening remarks and a welcome from APTA leadership and special guests.

Remarks:

• Randy Clarke, General Manager and CEO, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
• Paul Skoutelas, President and CEO, American Public Transportation Association

Chair's Welcome:

• Leanne Redden, Chair, APTA; Executive Director, Regional Transportation Authority

Public transit agencies are implementing important innovations, improvements, and new policies across our industry that are helping transit provide the safest trip possible to their customers. This session will focus on how the public transit industry can best communicate about the work, investments, and training that agencies are employing for a great customer experience.

Introducer:

• Jannet Walker-Ford, Secretary/Treasurer, APTA; Business Line Executive, Advisory and Planning, WSP

Moderator:

• Jessica Mefford-Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Valley Metro

Panelists:

• Randy Clarke, General Manager and CEO, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
• Debra Johnson, General Manager and CEO, Regional Transportation District
• Jonathan Hunt, Chair, APTA Legal Affairs Committee; and Interim General Manager/CEO, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority

The Current Political Climate, Media Landscape, and 2026 Elections with John Dickerson

Keynote Speaker: John Dickerson, Veteran Journalist and Long-Time CBS Icon

Keynote Introduction: Raymond Melleady, Chair, APTA BMBG; and President & CEO, STER North America LLC

Introducer: Valerie Santos, Chair, Board of Directors, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)

Moderator: Leanne Redden, Chair, APTA; Executive Director, Regional Transportation Authority

Panelists:

• Dan Zukowski, Senior Reporter, Smart Cities Dive 
• Tara Suter, Breaking News Reporter, The Hill
• Sam Ogozalek, Transportation Reporter, POLITICO

This session brings together senior leaders from across the U.S. Department of Transportation for an in-depth look at the federal priorities shaping the future of surface transportation. The session opens with a panel of Federal Transit Administration leaders who will discuss key issues facing transit agencies nationwide, including safety and security, funding, and how transit systems are rising to meet the demands of major national events. The session concludes with remarks from Federal Railroad Administration leadership on the agency's strategic direction and priorities.

Introducer: Leanne Redden, Chair, APTA; Executive Director, Regional Transportation Authority

Moderator: Jamie Pfister, Acting Executive Director, Federal Transit Administration

Panelists:

• Connor Torossian, Associate Administrator for Communications and Congressional Affairs, Federal Transit Administration 
• Matthew Cahill, Chief Counsel, Federal Transit Administration 
• Teona Edwards, Deputy Associate Administrator, Transit Safety and Oversight, Federal Transit Administration 
• Megan Blum, Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Planning and the Environment, Federal Transit Administration 
• Mark Bathrick, Acting Associate Administrator, Office of Program Management, Federal Transit Administration

Speaker: Drew Feeley, Deputy Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration

Sonya Proctor, Assistant Administrator for Surface Operations at the Transportation Security Administration, offers remarks on the agency's surface security mission and priorities.

Speaker: Sonya Proctor, Assistant Administrator for Surface Operations, Transportation Security Administration

Introducer: Joel Young, Vice-Chair, APTA; and Board Member, AC Transit (Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District)

Remarks from The Honorable James R. Walkinshaw (D‑VA)

Introduction: Monica Backmon, Chief Executive Officer, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority

Remarks from The Honorable Lisa Blunt Rochester (D‑DE)

Introducer: John Sisson, CEO, Delaware Transit Corporation

Remarks from The Honorable Rick Larsen (D‑WA)

Introducer: Les Reardanz, General Manager, Whatcom Transportation Authority

Remarks from The Honorable Robert P. Bresnahan (R‑PA)

Introducer: Richard Farr, Executive Director, Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority