Tuesday, November 27

Registration

Welcome Reception

All registrants and their guests are invited to mix, mingle, and connect with old and new colleagues at this opening welcome reception, which will be sure to set the tone for a busy week of activities.

Wednesday, November 28

Registration

Continental Breakfast

OPENING GENERAL SESSION: Innovation and Disruption - Two Sides of the Same Coin

The public transportation industry is increasingly challenged by shifting disruptive forces: rider and stakeholder expectations, rapidly changing technology, big data and open data, changing demographics, and connectivity are just a few. These complex and inter-related forces also represent opportunities for organizational improvements, new partnerships, and service innovations. Discover some new ways to think about innovation and disruption in these remarks, which will set the stage for the rest of the day.

• Paul P. Skoutelas, President and CEO, American Public Transportation Association, Washington, DC
• David M. Stackrow, Sr., CPA, Member, Board of Directors, Capital District Transportation Authority, Albany, NY

• David M. Stackrow, Sr., CPA, Member, Board of Directors, Capital District Transportation Authority, Albany, NY

• David Zipper, Principal, DZ Strategies LLC, Washington, DC

Networking Break

PANEL DISCUSSION: Embracing Disruption: Success Stories from Other Industries

The public transportation industry is experiencing rapid change, disrupted by advancing technology, shifting customer expectations and preferences, generational change, and new service providers. As transit leaders explore new best practices and operating models to meet these changes, there are important lessons to learn from other industries experiencing transformation by the same forces. This panel of industry leaders will explore the changing world around us, including how their industry is responding, how disruption had prompted improvements, and what is on the horizon.

Sponsored by INIT Innovations in Transportation Inc.

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

• Roland H. Staib, President/Chief Executive Officer, INIT Innovations in Transportation Inc., Chesapeake, VA

• Robyn Boerstling, Vice President, Infrastructure, Innovation and Human Resources Policy, National Association of Manufacturers, Washington, DC
• Edward L. Mortimer, Executive Director, Transportation Infrastructure, Americans for Transportation Mobility, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Washington, DC
• Robert Morgan, Vice President, Emerging Technologies, American Banking Association, Washington, DC
• Artemis Berry, Vice President, Member Engagement, National Retail Federation, Washington, DC
• Dr. Martha M. Parham, Senior Vice President, Public Relations, American Association of Community Colleges, Washington, DC

LUNCHEON: The Role of Public Transit in Reinventing Cities

Mobility is central to individual prosperity, commerce, and the growth of communities. As city leaders and transportation leaders partner to develop, refine, and strengthen the existing transportation network, what are the emerging trends that are shaping the future? Learn more about the transformational trends influencing urban regions today and the growing role of transit in reinventing cities for the 21st century.  

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

• Ryan J. Larsen, Ecolane USA, Inc., Elk Horn, IA

• Clarence E. Anthony, CEO & Executive Director, National League of Cities, Washington, DC

PANEL DISCUSSION: Transit Agencies as Disrupters: How Transit Systems Are Changing Communities

Many transit agencies are acting with local officials and other partners to proactively transform and reshape their communities, and in so doing, have become disrupters themselves, engaging in a wide range of innovative policies and practices related to new service models, land use and zoning, traffic and travel patterns, recreation opportunities, employment hubs and housing centers, neighborhood revitalization, and economic development initiatives, among others. These transit leaders will share their vision for positioning their agencies as change agents and discuss how their vision and activities have impacted travel patterns, workforce development initiatives, strategies for balancing near-term priorities and long-range planning, and the very nature of the cities and communities they serve.

• Tham Nguyen, Senior Manager, Transportation Planning, Office of Extraordinary Innovation, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles, CA

• Katharine Kelleman, Chief Executive Officer, Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT), Pittsburgh, PA
• Doug Kelsey, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet), Portland, OR
• Laura Koprowski, Chief Executive Officer, Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA), Toledo, OH
• Edgar H. Benning, General Manager/CEO, Mass Transportation Authority, Flint, MI

Diversity and Inclusion Council

POST-ELECTION UPDATE: Lessons Learned from Transit Ballot Campaigns

Public transit had a great year at the ballot box this past election, with voters supporting transit measures across the nation, including in California, where voters rejected a proposal to repeal a historic $54 billion investment over 10 years in transportation infrastructure, including public transit projects. Transit opponents, however, remain committed to advancing drastic measures that would defund transit in communities throughout the country. Listen as three experts and transit campaign veterans recount lessons learned for positioning a pro-transit message in this challenging environment.

• Hon. Nuria I. Fernandez, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, Washington, DC

• Joshua Cohen, Executive Director, APTA Center for Transportation Excellence, Washington, DC
• Michael Quigley, Executive Director, California Alliance for Jobs, Sacramento, CA
• Scott Smith, Valley Metro, Phoenix, AZ

Thursday, November 29

Small Operations Committee

Registration

Continental Breakfast

PANEL DISCUSSION: Individualizing the Mass Transit Experience

Transit passengers are a diverse group, with a wide range of behaviors, needs, and preferences. Transit industry leaders face critical challenges as they adapt to the diverse and changing rider preferences, needs, and expectations, made all the more complex by the amazing pace of digital change. Agencies must decide whether and how to invest in the appropriate research and analysis of available data to understand passenger behaviors, needs, and attitudes, and then leap forward to deliver the next generation transit experience—giving passengers more autonomy and options that include a fully integrated and personalized experience. 

• Jeff Hiott, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Washington, DC

• Randy S. Clarke, General Manager and CEO, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Washington, DC
• Thomas C. Lambert, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro), Houston, TX
• Francis "Buddy" Coleman, Chief Customer Officer, Clever Devices Ltd., Woodbury, NY
• Adelee Marie Le Grand, AICP, Strategic Advisor, Intellectual Concepts LLC, Atlanta, GA
• Herbert C Higginbotham, III, Vice President, Transit & Shared Mobility, Cambridge Systematics, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
• Marcus Welz, President & CEO, Bytemark, Inc.; CEO, Siemens Intelligent Traffic Systems in U.S., Siemens Mobility, Inc., Washington, DC

Networking Break

PANEL DISCUSSION: Leveraging Resources to Create Value

How do transit agencies maximize, prioritize, and manage their strategic resources to provide value to their stakeholders—riders, communities, partners, and suppliers—and to adapt to rapid change that impacts the needs and expectations of these stakeholders? This panel will explore critical approaches and experiences relating to leveraging the full financial and funding toolbox to provide the value their customers and stakeholders demand.

Session sponsored by WSP USA

• Kate Mattice, Executive Director, Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (Co-owner of the Virginia Railway Express), Arlington, VA

• Julie D'Orazio, P.E., WSP USA, New York, NY

• David Genova, Director of Transit Advisory Services, Hatch, Denver, CO
• Donna DeMartino, Board Member, Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI), San Marcos, CA
• Joseph C. Aiello, Chair, Fiscal Management & Control Board, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Boston, MA
• Rob Gannon, King County Metro

CLOSING LUNCHEON: A Political Insider's Look at the Mid-Term Elections

What will the mid-term elections mean for public transportation at the federal and state levels? This session features an inside look from one of the most respected voices on the national political scene.

• Diana C. Mendes, AICP, Corporate President, Infrastructure and Mobility Equity, HNTB Corporation, Arlington, VA

• Stuart Rothenberg, Ph.D., Political Analyst & Speaker; Senior Editor, Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales, Washington, DC

Legislative Committee Meeting

Capitol Hill Reception

Longworth House Office Building Cafeteria 

Meet and greet lawmakers and their staffs as we close the seminar with a Capitol Hill reception that will provide a chance to talk transit in a relaxed setting.

Directions to the Reception
Take Metrorail to the Capitol South Metro Station (Orange/Blue/Silver lines). Metrorail provides easy access to the Longworth House Office Building.

Friday, November 30

APTA Board of Directors Meeting