People in the News

IndyGo is proud to announce that after a competitive search, Mark Emmons has been selected as the new director of Safety, Training, and Security at IndyGo. As the director, Emmons' responsibilities include the coordination and management of the organization's safety initiatives, emergency protocols and preparedness. This position also oversees the vehicle accident program, the drug and alcohol program, FTA and OSHA safety compliance, security operations and contractor auditing. In addition, Emmons oversees the professional coach operator training academy. Emmons has been with IndyGo for more than 14 years in numerous roles within the organization. He began his career as a transportation supervisor and has worked in a variety of positions, most recently as the risk & security manager in the Operations Division.

Proterra is pleased to announce John Sleconich recently joined the organization as its new vice president of Engineering. Sleconich joins Proterra with more than 25 years' experience in aerospace. Most recently, he served as director of Systems Engineering for Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas. In his new role at Proterra, Sleconich will take responsibility for new product development, compliance, technical publications, quality and product safety. He will also oversee engineering product support for all vehicles in production and in service. Proterra is also pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Shackleton as its new vice president of sales and marketing. Shackleton joins Proterra with more than 20 years of experience in the bus and trucking industry. Prior to joining Proterra, Shackleton spent 22 years at Navistar. He earned his degree in Motive Power Diesel Technology from Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, and began his career in Canada, where he worked until transferring to the U.S. in 1998. As vice president of Marketing and Sales, Shackleton will lead Proterra's sales and marketing teams to aggressively increase sales and grow market share throughout the United States and Canada.

Wendy Wallach has joined David Evans and Associates Inc. (DEA) as a senior associate and the Mountain West regional transit and environmental leader. She is based in DEA's Denver office. Wallach comes to DEA from the Colorado Department of Transportation where she was rail program manager for the transit and rail division. She has more than 18 years of experience in the planning and management of national policy environmental documents for roadway, transit and multi-modal projects. Her experience includes development of conceptual alternatives, NEPA documentation and management and program management. She has a bachelor's degree in geography from Clark University in Worcester, Mass., and a master's degree in urban planning from University of Colorado, Denver.

LeighFisher is pleased to announce the addition of Richard Batty to its management consulting staff. He has 25 years of experience in management consulting and the rail industry in North and South America, Europe and Asia. In addition to surface transportation services, Batty will support the aviation clients with advice on organizational effectiveness, enabling LeighFisher to provide clients cross-market experience and best practices across multiple sectors. He works with public and private sector clients in policy and strategy development, organizational effectiveness, financial appraisal and marketing. Previously, Batty led the U.K. rail team at Booz & Company, advising on the U.K.'s Rail Value for Money study.

Lamont Taylor, Human Resources manager for Frisch's Restaurants Inc., was named to the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority's board of trustees. Taylor served as chairperson for the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority board of commissioners and he also served as the vice president of Finance for the National Human Resource Association and the board that oversees Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services. He was previously on the SORTA board from 2003 until 2010. He served as SORTA vice chair from 2004 until 2006 and chair from 2006 through 2007.