The U.S. Department of Transportation called upon WTS International to nominate a candidate for the White House "Champion of Change" program in the category of standout individuals working toward engaging and supporting girls and women in STEM (the science, technology, engineering and math fields). WTS, the association for the advancement of women in the transportation industry, nominated member Jennifer Harper Ogle, Ph.D., associate professor of civil engineering at Clemson University in South Carolina. Ogle was selected as the Champion of Change, helping to further President Barack Obama's Winning the Future initiative that highlights individuals who help the U.S. to "out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world." In addition to being featured on the White House website, Ogle will be a participant in a roundtable discussion on the advancement of girls and young women in the STEM fields.
Debbie Cotton, director of the Phoenix Public Transit Department has taken on a new assignment as interim director for the Phoenix Convention Center. In her place, Neal Young will serve as the interim public transit director. Young has more than 28 years of experience in progressively responsible management roles in the public sector leading organizations, operations and programs with experience in housing, human services, economic security and water agencies.
The HAKS Group Inc. has appointed Elliot "Lee" G. Sander, former CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York, as its new president and CEO. Sander will be responsible for directing daily operations of HAKS' national and international offices, and will be working in tandem with Chairman and Co-Founder Husam Ahmad, P.E., to expand the firm's global operations. In addition to his leadership at the MTA, Sander's long resume of public-sector service includes commissioner of the New York City DOT, director of transit for the New York State DOT, and deputy commissioner of the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal.
Psomas is pleased to announce that Joe Mulvihill, PE, has joined the Orange County Transportation/Public Works Team as senior project manager. Mulvihill has 24 years of experience in civil engineering planning, design, program and project management for transportation and public works facilities. His projects have included highway and roadway improvements; streetscapes; site grading, flood control and drainage systems; public facilities; utility engineering; sewer and water systems; and water quality improvements.
Norma Navarro is the new vice president, Commuter Rail, and Nevin Grinnell is the new vice president/chief marketing officer for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). Navarro, has served DART in several capacities since joining the agency in 1990, most recently as assistant vice president, commuter rail administration. In her new role she will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the Trinity Railway Express and will serve as DART's liaison with the T in Fort Worth, who co-owns the 35-mile commuter rail line with DART. Grinnell joins DART after more than 20 years in marketing, primarily in the food and beverage and consumer products sectors. Most recently he was senior vice president of marketing for the NCH-Retail Product Group, where he was responsible for company strategy and new product innovation.
