SESSIONS
9:00-10:45 a.m.
Opening General Session
9:00-9:10am
Welcome and Remarks
Norma Zamora, TTA President
9:10-9:20am
Host Welcomes
Mayor Richard Cortez, City of McAllen, Texas
9:20-9:40am
Membership Meeting
Norma Zamora, TTA President
9:40-10am
State Legislative Update
Shawna Russell, TTA Legislative Chair
10:00-11:00am
Federal Legislative Update
Art Guzzetti, Vice President for Policy, APTA Dale Marsico, Executive Director, CTAA
11am – Noon
Expo Opening
Noon – 1:30pm
Expo Lunch
1:30-2:30pm
Concurrent Sessions
Lean Management Strategies
Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center of South Texas
Save time. Save money. Learn some Lean Management Strategies to streamline your
business operations, reduce overhead, and realize the full capabilities of the workforce. This session will focus on sharing techniques to improve overall work flows.
Giving Effective Presentations
Carol Wright, Small Urban and Rural Transit Center
At one point or another, each of us is called upon to give a presentation. It might be
in front of a college class, at a business meeting, at a conference, or at a research
forum. One of the most highly sought after skills is the ability to stand on your feet
in front of an audience, say what you want to say, and be effective in the way you
present your material. A person who can stand in front of a group with poise and
confidence creates the perception of competency.
Regardless of the setting for your presentation or your public speaking experience level,
this seminar will provide you with strategies and techniques for building upon your
existing skills, as well as tips for improving your performance and stepping up your
confidence the next time you give a presentation.
Political Strategy: Communicating Effectively
Transit leaders are faced with the challenge of implementing important, long-range and complex decisions.
This mandates a clear understanding of power and influence. Lasting success rests on our ability to
develop political will, expertise and personal skills to become innovative and adaptive.
This session provides insight on the importance of having a political strategy and an ability
to clearly communicate critical transit issues to politicians, policy makers and overall
stakeholders. The panelists will offer insight into the methods they have utilized to successfully
communicate critical transit issues.
Panelists
Gary C. Thomas, President/Executive Director, Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Barry M. Goodman, President, The Goodman Corporation
Shawna Russell, TTA Legislative Chair
3:30-4:30pm
Concurrent Sessions
Planning for Technology in Small Urban and Rural Areas
Keven Andersen, Small Urban and Rural Transit Center
This session introduces processes and approaches to assist small urban and rural
transit professionals successfully plan and implement technology projects. This
presentation will make you aware of the need to plan for technology changes and the
corresponding course of action to follow by identifying: the importance of assessing
your agency's performance and developing operational objectives; an evaluation process
for technology-based solutions to meet your agency's objectives; the necessity and
advantage of conducting a benefit-cost analysis to prioritize projects; and development
plan processes that can increase opportunities for success.
The attendees will be introduced to the following concepts regarding planning for
implementing technology enhancement within their transit organizations: IT needs
assessments; available rural transit technologies; suggestions for financing technology
projects; timelines for implementation, and evaluation techniques.
Effective Branding for Transit
Transit Agencies have a need to connect to a diverse group of stakeholders, and
creating a brand is an important tool to achieve this. Effective branding campaigns
focus on building a strategic awareness that ties “who we are” with “what we can do for
you.” Essentially, the brand not only identifies us, but it communicates the distinctive
characteristics that make us a quality transportation alternative. This session focuses
on how effective transit branding campaigns have offered customers strong brands which
are clearly differentiated and offer real value and unique benefits.
Moderator
Omega Hawkins, Kaufman Area Rural Transportation
Panelists
John O. Hedrick, East Texas COG
Roy Cantu, City of McAllen
Corpus Christi RTA
State of Good Repair – FTA Update
Gail Lyssy, Director of Program Management and Oversight, Region VI Office, Federal Transit Administration
Maintaining the nation's bus and rail systems in a State of Good Repair (SGR) is
essential if public transportation systems are to provide safe and reliable service to
millions of daily riders. State of Good Repair includes sharing ideas on recapitalization
and maintenance issues, asset management practices, and innovative financing strategies.
It also includes issues related to measuring the condition of transit capital assets,
prioritizing local transit re-investment decisions and preventive maintenance practices.
Finally, research and the identification of the tools needed to address this problem are
vital. The FTA will lead the nation's effort to address the State of Good Repair by
collaborating with industry to bring the nation's transit infrastructure into the 21st Century.
4:30-5:30pm
General Session Medical Transportation
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
9:00-9:45am
General Session
Leadership and Legacy
True leadership transcends the test of time. Great leaders leave a legacy that transcends them and cements their contribution to the growth and transformation of their organization and industry. As a leader in public transit, what legacy do you want to leave? More importantly as an industry, how are we building a capable, driven and courageous transit workforce that will ensure continued growth and success?
You are invited to attend this general session with Eric Gleason, Director of the Public Transportation Division of TXDOT, as he shares his belief that strong, effective leadership is critical to the long term viability of Texas’ public transportation systems. Learn more about TXDOT’s commitment to build and promote leadership in the state and about how you can benefit from the Texas Transit Leadership Seminar.
Eric Gleason, Director of the Public Transportation Division of the Texas Department of Transportation
10:00-10:45am
Concurrent Sessions
Emotional Intelligence
Paula Kellogg, Group Dynamics Facilitator, The Kellogg Group
What makes an individual successful? Is it an individual’s cognitive ability alone which enables them to achieve? Research shows that emotional intelligence can be an important factor to achieving work success. Emotional intelligence is non-cognitive intelligence or “common sense.” It is about understanding oneself and others, relating to people, and adapting to and coping with the immediate surroundings.
During this session, you will gain a heightened awareness of the non-cognitive abilities which increase your potential for success. Most importantly, you will learn more about how understanding your emotional intelligence is an important step to strengthening your leadership skills.
Linking Bikes to Transit
Examine the importance of bridging the last mile to transit. Explore how increased accessibility for bikes can have a positive impact on public transit. This session will focus on the importance of linking bikes to transit through better design, new insights and innovative strategies. Gain a fresh perspective on how to link bikes to transit.
Technologies for Facilitating Smoother Mobility Management
Today, transit agencies seek ways to maximize resources and improve ridership services through mobility management. Yet, how can transit agencies navigate the multi-operational complexities, and what technologies are most effective for implementing a regional demand response coordination effort? In this panel discussion, attendees will learn first-hand how transit agencies are using technologies to coordinate between multiple service providers to close service gaps, share resources, and more effectively manage ridership demands. Discussed will be strategies to jumpstart mobility management initiatives and underlying ITS technologies for achieving meaningful coordination milestones.
Tourism and Transit
This session will bring together conference participants that are involved with transit services that encourage and serve tourism in Texas. The conference session will include speakers who will showcase the role of transit to promote and serve visitors and travelers. The session will be sponsored by Texas Transportation Institute and will include a discussion of research needs and outreach to expand and promote the role of transit and tourism.
Texas Transportation Institute
11:00am-1:00pm
Keynote Speaker and Awards Luncheon
Keynote Speaker
Robert H. Prince, Jr.
You are invited to attend our Awards Luncheon featuring our Keynote Speaker, Robert H. Prince Jr.
Mr. Prince is the Vice President of Transit Business Development with DMJM Harris AECOM and is involved
with national transit issues. His focus is on state of good repair/capital needs assessments, security analyses,
BRT development, and new-system operations start-up. Through his achievements, Mr. Prince has received many
awards among them “The Governor’s Pride and Performance Award,” “The Greater Boston Black Achievers Award,”
“The Consumer Affairs Annual Bell Ringer Awards for Excellence for Public Information through the Snow Guide,”
the “Heroes Among us Award presented by the Boston Celtics, and WTS’s “Rosa Parks Award for Diversity.”
As the former Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s General Manager, Mr. Prince spent over 25 years
holding over 20 jobs culminating as the General Manager. As GM he provided the daily operations and administrative
leadership for the MBTA. He was responsible for the establishment of all management policies and practices,
and set standards of excellence to which all operations, compliance and administrative functions perform.
He oversaw the management of over 6,500 employees, and transported over a million commuters each day.
He is also author of “Everyman Foot Prince in the Snow.”
1:00-1:45pm
Concurrent Sessions
Show Me the Month: Fundraising and Creative Local Match for Transit
Keven Andersen, Small Urban and Rural Transit Center
Fundraising requires both the art of developing and nurturing relationships and the science of using data, research,
and tested fundraising models. This workshop provides details and suggestions for how transit agencies can enhance
their existing funding by working with federal programs, developing coordination and partnership programs,
achieving long-term financial stability, using in-kind match opportunities, and developing signature fundraising events.
Leader as Coach
Paula Kellogg, The Kellogg Group
This session is designed for managers and supervisors. Explore utilizing coaching skill sets to lead your team.
Learn what it takes to enhance your ability to lead, coach and counsel employees for improved work performance,
and positively influence motivation and morale.
Green Transit Technology
Going Green has become a real part of today’s business landscape. Explore how Going Green adds value to public transit.
The panelists will offer innovative green technology applied to facilities and vehicles.
Panelists
David L. Marsh, General Manager, Capital Area Rural Transportation Systems
Dr. Hikyu Lee, President & CEO, OLEV Technologies, Inc.
Priscilla Ingle, VP Public Affairs, VIA
2:00-3:00pm
Concurrent Sessions
Making a Difference-Leadership Qualities that Change the Way We Live and Work
Carol Wright, Small Urban and Rural Transit Center
If you thought that you could make a difference, would you be willing to try? Right now there are individuals – just like you – who are
making a difference because they care deeply about something. They use the leadership skills that they have developed to create
a vision, communicate their message, and change the lives of others. This presentation will help you reflect on your leadership
gifts and explore the ways in which YOU can make a difference by firing up your idealism, challenging your commitment, and
reinforcing your passion to generate a positive impact on those around you.
Opportunities for Deploying Digital Signage in a Transit Environment
Digital signage can be a key communication tool within all types of transit facilities. In this session,
participants will learn about the different uses for digital signage as well as learn about the importance
of project planning to ensure that the solution they select will grow with their changing business requirement.
Panelists
Andrew Munoz, Brownsville Urban System
Craig Marshall, Omnivex
Intermodalism that Works
Learn about the impact intermodal facilities have made along the Texas / Mexico Border. Gain insight
into how these facilities connect private bus service (regional, national and international) with public
service to ensure a maximum benefit to passengers. The panelists will share the social and economic impact
of their intermodal transit facilities in their respective communities.
Panelists
Norma Zamora, General Manager, Brownsville Metro
Jay Banasiak, Director, Sun Metro
Elizabeth Suarez, Director, Metro McAllen
