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Meet Rachelle Jezbera!
Rachelle Jezbera
Senior Program Manager
Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP)
Early Career Program (ECP)
Communications & Marketing Department
Graduate, Leadership APTA Class of 2007
What are the top job elements you focus on the most—your primary responsibilities?
I manage the dissemination activities for TCRP research reports and products. This includes industry outreach through marketing and promotion, co-management of the TCRP Ambassador Program, vendor management, acting as staff advisor to the program’s oversight committee, the TOPS committee (industry board of general managers and chief executive officers with responsibility for research funding), and the Transportation Research Board staff.
I also manage the activities for the Early Career Program (ECP), a relatively new workforce development effort of APTA. My responsibilities include class recruitment, program development, management of monthly activities, and staff advisor to the program’s co-chairs.
Do you have direct contact with APTA members? If so, please talk about recent times you’ve helped out a member.
Absolutely. My work is industry-driven.
An important part of managing TCRP dissemination efforts is the awareness and understanding of our industry’s challenges and objectives and how TCRP research can meet or address those needs. Through one-on-one interaction, conference venues, and online communication, APTA members voice their interests and concerns, affording me the opportunity to connect them with TCRP.
The ECP is an APTA membership program for individuals who are relatively new to the public transportation field. From class recruitment, program development, and class mentors through to graduation, I have constant interaction with APTA members. This program is a great opportunity for me in that I am able to meet some of our newest members while ascertaining the fresh perspectives they bring to this field.
What initiatives, projects, or programs have you worked on at APTA that you have taken particular pride in completing?
This is hard to answer. Over the years, I have heard so many comments about how TCRP has either helped, benefited, or saved costs to our members. Just knowing that the dissemination efforts of TCRP research results and products can effect such positive outcomes makes me feel good about this program and the work I do.
As for ECP, I was very proud to be involved with the very first class. Our inaugural year ended on a successful note. Watching the ECP Class of 2014 class walk across the stage during graduation was quite emotional for me.
How did you “land” at APTA?
I was formerly in the newspaper business, working in advertising. Having worked at The Wall Street Journal and The Baltimore Sun, I could see how advertising was gradually moving from a print product to online. As a result, newspapers were downsizing their print staff and that meant layoffs. Through a former APTA staff member, I learned of an opening at APTA, applied, and became part of the APTA family.
What professional affiliations do you have?
I am a member of the National Association of Professional Women and Delta Gamma Sorority.
Could you tell us something about yourself that might surprise us? I love the arts…theater, dance, music, opera, etc. Years ago, I was a volunteer tour guide for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. I met so many tourists from around the world. I truly enjoyed being a guide and seeing the reactions from the visitors to the building’s history, architecture, and priceless pieces.
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