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2016 APTA AWARDS

Celebrating the Industry's Best

* John B. Catoe Jr., for his more than three-decade career leading multiple public transportation systems to excellence.
“I’ve had the privilege of working directly with John and seeing firsthand how he guides and encourages people to achieve far more than what they thought possible. Inducting John Catoe into APTA’s Hall of Fame is a fitting recognition of his many achievements with individuals, organizations and the industry.”
— Carolyn Flowers, former Los ­Angeles Metro and public transportation colleague

* Frank T. Martin, for his 40-plus years of industry management, public service and mentoring.
“Frank T. Martin, my mentor and friend, is a study in hard work, diligence, forthrightness and perseverance. He is fair, a deep thinker and a great organizer of human resources that identifies individuals with potential and empowers them to achieve things they once thought unattainable. The city of Birmingham and Jefferson County owe a debt of gratitude to Frank T. Martin, as do I.”
— Donald E. Blankenship, circuit judge, Tenth Judicial Circuit of Alabama, Jefferson County

* Michael Scanlon, for his nearly 50 years of leadership and influence in the industry.
“Mike Scanlon represents all the best things about our industry. He’s a person of integrity, and he leads his teams and colleagues by example. He loves the communities he serves and the residents of those communities love him back.”
— Gary C. Thomas, president/executive director, Dallas Area Rapid Transit; past APTA chair

* William L. Volk, for his 44 years of dedication and service to the industry.
“Bill’s innovative accomplishments have been ongoing throughout his career. His vision for the future was often ahead of his peers, especially in the areas of full accessibility for the disabled, and unlimited access for University of Illinois students. Bill was always my first call when I was thinking through the issues that downstate transit providers were facing. His knowledge and understanding were always a great resource for me and my staff.”
— U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, IL

* Alan C. Wulkan, for his 43-plus-year career as a public transit business owner, executive and chief executive officer of an agency.
“It’s hard to imagine a person more deserving of the honor of being in the APTA Hall of Fame. I have observed Alan for over a quarter century in a variety of leadership roles with public transportation. He is a person of vision. As we enter a period of unprecedented growth and challenges in terms of environment, housing costs, congestion, new transportation technologies and struggles with legacy problems, APTA and America are better positioned to make progress because of Alan’s many contributions.”
— U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, OR

Outstanding Public Transit Systems

* EMBARK, Oklahoma City, ­providing four million or fewer annual passenger trips.
“Oklahoma City has purposefully reinvented itself, from our economy to our quality of life. Our public transit is a key part of that continued growth and vitality. I congratulate EMBARK and its board, Mayor [Mick] Cornett and our city council on this national award and commend their vision. The modernizations to OKC’s public transit have resulted in incredible gains in ridership.”
— U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, OK

* Jacksonville Transportation Authority, FL, providing more than four million but fewer than 20 million annual passenger trips.
“Congratulations to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority for proudly representing the state of Florida and receiving the 2016 Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award. Transportation projects are crucial to growing our economy and creating new jobs for Florida families. I look forward to continuing to work with Florida’s many great transit agencies to help ensure our state’s transportation infrastructure remains a national leader.”
— Gov. Rick Scott, FL

* Metro Transit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, providing 20 million or more annual passenger trips.
“Minnesota’s economy depends upon a robust, modern transportation network, including transit. This need will only intensify in the coming years as the Twin Cities adds an estimated 800,000 residents and 490,000 jobs by 2040. This award confirms what the thousands of Minnesotans who rely on transit already know: Metro Transit delivers consistent, high-quality service. This recognition is well deserved and an important reminder that Minnesota needs to continue to expand and improve transit services if we want our economy to stay strong.”
— Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, MN

Outstanding Public Transportation Manager
* Gary C. Thomas, president/executive director, Dallas Area Rapid Transit.
“Mr. Thomas’ contributions have helped North Texas become a national model for regional transportation collaboration throughout the public transportation industry. My constituents have enjoyed unparalleled transportation service and mobility as a direct result of Mr. Thomas’ work.”
— U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, TX

Outstanding Public Transportation Business Member
* Michael I. Schneider, senior vice president and director of professional services, HDR, Inc., Irvine, CA.
“Mike Schneider’s list of accomplishments within the transit industry is second to none. There are few people in the field who have contributed more to bringing innovation and imagination to the development, funding and implementation of public transportation systems and services throughout the United States and worldwide. His leadership has been hugely significant in making public transportation a successful enterprise.”
— Phillip A. Washington, chief executive officer, Los Angeles County ­Metropolitan Transportation Authority; past APTA chair

Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member
* Shirley Harris, board member, San Mateo County Transit District, San Carlos, CA.
“Transportation is about humanity and the people we serve, and Shirley is synonymous with humanity. It has been the hallmark of her transit career. Her commitment to service is deeply held and faith-based. I know I speak for all who have had the privilege of working with Shirley for two decades that we are proud of her and thrilled at the recognition she is receiving from our industry.”
— Adrienne Tissier, member, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, CA

* Thomas Nolan, chair, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.
“Over his decades of service, Tom Nolan’s stamp of leadership has been imprinted on almost every single transit project in San Francisco and the Bay Area. His public service has ensured that all people and communities can safely, efficiently and affordably be transported from work, school and home while protecting our planet and eliminating congestion on Bay Area roads. Tom Nolan’s selection as APTA’s 2016 Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member will bring luster to this award.”
— U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, CA

Special Award for Extraordinary Leadership
* Joni Earl, chief executive officer emeritus, Sound Transit, Seattle.
“Joni has been the heart and soul of Sound Transit, and her vision for success and drive to make it a reality was key to transforming mass transportation in the Puget Sound region. Every day, citizens across our region benefit from Joni’s leadership that helped start a truly high-capacity transit system, and her legacy will help Sound Transit continue to grow to serve the needs of the Puget Sound area.”
— U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, WA

Innovation
* Chicago Transit Authority, for its lead role in developing the Ventra mobile app.
“With the development of the first-ever multi-transit system app, Chicago has demonstrated it is a leader in innovation by leveraging technology to modernize transit for a world-class future for Chicago. I applaud CTA President Dorval Carter and his team, as well as Metra and Pace, for creating the Ventra app, which is helping thousands commute more conveniently and efficiently across Chicago’s robust transit network.”
— Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago

* Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), for developing the Mobility Training Center, the only facility of its kind in the western U.S.
“At the RTC, we are dedicated to providing every citizen access to public transit. Our team is proud of the Mobility Training Center and the services it offers to seniors and persons with disabilities. With its unique blend of paratransit assessment and certification, mobility training and blindness skills training, the RTC Mobility Training Center is deserving of APTA’s Innovation Award.”
— Larry Brown, chairman, RTC Board of Directors

National Distinguished Service
This award recognizes significant contributions at the national level to public transportation through policy, legislative initiative and leadership.

* U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-PA, chair, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I), for his role in spearheading the passage of the FAST Act.
“Chairman Shuster worked tirelessly with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass the first long-term transportation authorization in a decade. His success is our success. The FAST Act means that Amtran and other public transit systems can move forward with critical capital projects. We are proud of Bill and grateful for his continuing efforts to advance infrastructure investment.”
— Eric Wolf, general manager, Amtran, Altoona, PA

* U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-OR, member, T&I Committee since he entered Congress in 1987, for his career as an independent and steadfast defender of transportation infrastructure investments.
“Congressman DeFazio has dedicated his career in the service of transit and transportation, and our community is better for it. Thanks to Mr. DeFazio’s steadfast support, Lane County residents have access to fast, frequent and reliable transportation options that keep the economy moving and connect tens of thousands of residents each day to school, work and healthcare. LTD thanks Congressman DeFazio for his tenacity and commitment and congratulates him on a well-deserved recognition.”
— Aurora “A.J.” Jackson, general ­manager, Lane Transit District, Springfield, OR

* U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-IL, co-chair and founding member of the Congressional ­Public Transportation ­Caucus, and member of three T&I subcommittees.
“Congressman Lipinski is a strong advocate for public transportation! His tireless work in Washington and Illinois has directly contributed to moving people more safely and efficiently. Specifically, his work as co-chair of the Congressional Public Transportation Caucus contributed mightily to the passage of the FAST Act and the permanent extension of the transit benefit in 2015.”
— Kirk Dillard, chairman, Regional Transportation Authority, Chicago

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