It is hard to believe that on Nov. 1, 2012, I celebrated my one-year anniversary as President & CEO of APTA. While it was a time for celebration and reflection, it was also the week when Hurricane Sandy crippled much of the Eastern Seaboard, severely challenging many public transportation systems.

Nothing could have prepared us for the work that lies ahead. But I have faith and I know how resilient our systems and our people are. Much of the work they are accomplishing is nothing short of heroic. I pledge APTA’s full support in helping them—and I know our members do as well.

This has been a year of challenges and successes. We were tested by the most overwhelming economic downturn since the Great Depression. We were tested by 10 federal funding extensions over three years and the efforts of some to remove public transit from the Highway Trust Fund altogether. And because of you, we passed these tests and achieved a multi-year, bipartisan authorization bill with MAP-21. I am the first to admit that some of these challenges resulted in difficult, sometimes suboptimal choices along the path to our overall success. They will not, however, dampen our resolve to continue to fight for positive outcomes for all of our members going forward.

And going forward, we will continue to collaborate with our many partners across a broad spectrum. Our coalition partners were instrumental in our eventual success with MAP-21. I want to thank our partners at FTA, FRA, and U.S. DOT for their access, support, and collaboration. It has also been rewarding to work with so many supportive members of Congress during this past year, and I look forward to building new relationships in the 113th Congress.

Throughout this year, I made it a point to meet many of you in cities small and large, areas both rural and urban. I had the opportunity to meet with our Canadian members and, more recently, many of our international partners in London and in Montreal. I welcomed invitations to speak at your conferences and meetings. You opened your offices and facility floors, and took me on tours of your systems. When I visited local agencies and companies, it was equally fulfilling to visit with operators in the yard as it was meeting with local board members. Along the way, I got to know you and, ultimately, our industry even better.

I am seeing first-hand what a difference you make in your communities across the globe, and how dedicated and adaptable you are.

We also were busy constantly improving and upgrading our myriad information channels. From a revised website that delivers breaking news, to a revolving homepage that highlights APTA members and staff, we’re using technology to bring you what you need—when you need it. And using your feedback from our recent member survey, we will keep making improvements.

With your help we held successful meetings and conferences throughout the year, to include the most recent: our Annual Meeting in Seattle.

We’ve taken our meetings up a level and we’ve made some changes. They are more interactive and inclusive. We’ve added many new speakers and networking opportunities, some specifically targeted to mid-level managers.

We led from a global perspective this year when, in June, more than 2,500 rail leaders convened in Philadelphia for the 8th World Congress on High-Speed Rail, which APTA co-hosted.

APTA’s role as a thought leader was reinforced when we and our members were invited to the White House on several occasions to discuss the industry and its advances.

Our efforts and our influence were again recognized when the highly regarded National Journal named the 15 most influential brands in Washington–and APTA was one of them. We share this honor with such esteemed organizations as Google and Apple!

I would like to thank the three APTA chairs that I have had the privilege of working with: Mike Scanlon, Gary Thomas, and most recently Flora Castillo. Each has been exceptionally supportive along this journey, and I sincerely appreciate their leadership, collaboration, and friendship. My thanks also go to the members of the APTA Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Additionally, I have the distinct pleasure of working with an incredible and hard-working staff of consummate professionals who give 100 percent every day, and care deeply about our members.

I also want to thank all the APTA members for their dedication and support over the last 12 months. Working on your behalf truly inspires me and drives me to work even harder for you each and every day.

I look forward to many great years ahead.

Speakers assemble at the annual BusCon Conference & Expo, top; Commuter Rail CEOs meet, center; and the Tennessee Public Transportation Association's Annual Meeting speakers are featured.