Commentary from the Chair

Greetings and welcome to the APTF Homepage,  

Following in the footsteps of Immediate Past Chair Ms. Raquel Olivier, I am honored to step into the role of Board Chair for the American Public Transportation Foundation (APTF); thank you for your unwavering support and confidence in our Board of Directors and scholarship recipients.  I also continue to be inspired by the generosity of our donor community, and dedication of the APTA staff – we couldn’t be successful without your support.

As a former scholarship recipient throughout my educational career and current General Manager and CEO for the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, in Ohio, I recognize the impact and educational opportunity that APTF provides.  Future generations of public transportation leaders rest on the shoulders of past and current professionals — make no mistake, it is our responsibility and honor to transform the students of today into the innovators of tomorrow.

APTF boasts a proud history of strengthening our industry through scholarships and workforce development, and I am excited to continue building on that positive momentum.  I encourage you to join me on that journey, as we shape the future of mobility across the nation. 

Looking ahead, I will be working closely with our APTF Board Directors, supporters and friends, to reestablish key initiatives and goals for our foundation, and future fundraising and recipient follow-up and follow-through.  The foundation’s north star will be to bolster providing professional development opportunities and successful engagements of vision and purpose.  Collectively, we are stronger together than apart. 

 I look forward to connecting with many of you soon as we put the wheels in motion to ensure the public transit industry remains strong, vibrant, and ready to meet the evolving needs of our communities – thank you for your continued partnership, and let’s get to work!