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 Janice Thomas
Senior Director, Office of Business Diversity & Civil Rights
METRA, Chicago, IL
Member, Human Resources Committee; Leadership APTA, Class of 2013
Q: How many people are employed at your agency?
A: Metra has approximately 4,900 employees who are focused everyday on providing the best possible commuter rail service, so riders can be assured that Metra is strong and steady.
Q: How long have you worked in the public transportation industry?
A: I have three years of experience specific to public transportation, all with Metra. I also have over 15 years of experience in government with a concentration in supplier diversity.
Q: How long have you been an APTA member?
A: I am a graduate of the 2013 Class of Leadership APTA, the program for executive professionals, and Metra has been a member of APTA for over 20 years.
Q: What drew you to a career in public transportation?
A: I was drawn to my current position because of my passion for small business and social justice. It is my career objective to make sure all small, minority, and female business owners are adequately motivated and provided opportunities to compete with larger businesses. I believe that hard work and dedication—intermingled with knowledge—breeds success.
Q: What have you found to be the most valuable APTA benefit or resource? Which one helps you do your job?
A: One of the resources I’ve found to be most helpful in my experience with APTA is the unlimited networking. I had the opportunity to get connected with transportation experts I wouldn’t have known if it weren’t for APTA. I also learned how to leverage relationships as I grow as a transportation industry professional.
By serving on the Human Resources Committee I was also able to collaborate with some great minds in the industry and learn some invaluable lessons about recruiting. I learned the significance of having a sound recruiting process, especially for individuals right out of college, to help groom them and teach them what a rewarding and stable career they can have in the transportation industry.
Through APTA I have truly learned the importance of transportation in the United States. It is not just about getting from point A to point B. Transportation connects people in so many ways, whether it’s for family, work, or social reasons. As a member of APTA you grow a greater understanding and admiration for the large transportation network in our country.
Q: Please explain why or how this has helped.
A: I am often asked by small businesses owners, “What is the best way to increase business opportunities?” My first answer is always to network. As a member of APTA, I’ve had the chance to exercise my networking skills first hand, and I’ve also been able to pick up tips to share with business owners from fellow APTA members.
I give presentations and workshops to small business owners monthly. Being an active member of APTA who networks regularly, I’m always able to motivate others to get out there and make connections!
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I have a true passion for social justice, and I’ve always been an advocate for equality. In my current position, I am able to combine my personal passion with my professional goals. I love to encourage and motivate small business owners to persevere.
As my grandmother always said, “nothing fails but a try.” This means rather than giving up before you try, give yourself the chance to succeed—whatever the outcome may be. I enjoy seeing our small business owners grow and fulfill their dreams.
I am very lucky to have support from the top down in Metra. Our chief executive officer, Don Orseno, and the Board of Directors are very supportive of the agency’s Office of Business Diversity & Civil Rights program.
I have great working relationships with both the procurement and engineering departments, where most of our contracts come from. I also have a very skilled and hardworking staff that makes running the program possible.
Q: What is unique about your agency? What would readers be surprised to learn?
A: What is unique about Metra is its complex network and infrastructure. Metra is geographically one of the largest commuter rail systems in the nation, serving a six-county region of more than 3,700 square miles. Our complex system is comprised of 11 rail lines operating over more than 1,100 miles of track, 800 bridges, and 2,000 signals.
Metra has 241 stations served by 700 trains each weekday, and the agency also oversees and maintains more than 400 station platforms and provides 90,000 parking spaces. Metra provides more than 300,000 rides each weekday, and we project that we will have provided 81.6 million rides in 2013.
Make sure you see Janice Thomas's video, now that you've read this! |
