The Rockford Mass Transit District has announced that David Sidney has been appointed to a 4 year term on the RMTD Board of Trustees effective October 2017. Sidney, who will serve as the Secretary/Treasurer of the RMTD Board of Trustees, will be replacing Gary Marzorati.
David Sidney is uniquely qualified for this position as he is currently employed as the project director for Transform Rockford. In this capacity, Sidney is responsible for facilitating the implementation of the region’s strategic plan in which public transportation is a key component. Sidney will have firsthand knowledge of what the community needs and wants in an improved system and will also be in a position to help facilitate those suggestions.
Prior to his position at Transform Rockford, Sidney worked for the city of Rockford as a comprehensive planning and design manager for 3 years and before that, Sidney spent 5 years working with Gary W. Anderson Architects as a senior planner. As an Urban Planner with over 11 years of experience, Sidney is fully knowledgeable in long-term planning and project management, skills that will be useful as he guides RMTD into the future of public transportation. “I’m excited to join and support RMTD in this capacity,” stated Sidney. “I believe public transportation plays an important role in supporting individuals and families in everyday life, connecting people to opportunity, and growing our region.”
Sidney has a Master degree of Urban Planning from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning from the same. In addition to joining the RMTD Board of Trustees, David also serves as an Alignment Rockford Operating Board Member and is on the Judson University Spiritual Council, a position he has filled since 2015. He belongs to the American Planning Association, the American Institute of Certified Planners, Rockford Leaders Inc. and Rockford Planners Network.
In his free time Sidney enjoys watching his favorite series on Netflix and Hulu, going on bike rides, and spending time with his wife of four years and their 14-month old son.
In accordance with the 1971 Illinois Downstate Transportation Act, RMTD Board Trustees are appointed by the Mayor of the community served and approved by the community’s governing body. Sidney was appointed by Mayor Thomas McNamara and approved by the Rockford City Council on September 18, 2017. His term started October 25, 2017. He replaces Gary Marzorati, who served on the RMTD Board for over 30 years, first in the early 1980’s where he was instrumental in seeing the Downtown Transfer Center come to fruition and most recently as RMTD Chairman, a position he held since 2005.