BOSTON (October 12, 2016) – The Association for Commuter Transportation today released its 2016 list of 40 under 40 leaders in the transportation demand management industry, recognizing a diverse group of individuals who range from digital start-ups and big name companies, who make transit options more accessible, to city and regional transportation officials most effectively increasing the use of commuter benefits and rideshare across the country.
“This group represents a cross section of our industry and how TDM is integrated throughout the public and private sectors. These forty individuals are shining stars for the TDM profession and we look forward to them leading TDM for many years to come,” said ACT President Rob Henry.
Google TDM program manager Lucy Tice, a graduate of the ACT Leadership Academy, and member of ACT’s Board earned a place on the list for her efforts at Google to help people start and commit to bike commuting and other options. Google’s first Bike to Work Month challenge featured over 870 participants and over 15,000 bike trips logged. She has also increased carpooling by 48 percent.
“ACT has been an important part of my professional development and career, and I look forward to continued participation in ACT and greatly appreciate this honor,” said Tice, who also served on the marketing committee to promote collaboration at the 2016 ACT International Conference.
Ryan Croft, co-founder and COO at Washington, D.C.-based TransitScreen, which creates real-time displays of transit options, was honored for the empowering technology TransitScreen has installed at workplaces and universities across the globe. The U.S. State Department recently named Croft to its working group on smart cities. “ACT and it’s members are at the cutting edge of improving city life for residents and large employers. It’s an honor to join so many innovative transportation professionals on this list trying to make cities better places to live and work,” Croft said.
ACT announced the awards on the closing day of their inaugural Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Forum in Boston, which brought together over 140 transportation professionals.
“The energy and passion these honorees show everyday for improving our cities is at the heart of our collaborative efforts,” said ACT Executive Director David Straus. “The work these individuals have done to inspire changes in their communities and beyond is having an incredible impact to make our cities more livable, more economically competitive, and more prepared for sustainable growth into the future.”
Facts on the 40 Under 40 Honorees:
- Average length of service at current organization: 5 years
- 15% have 10+ years at current organization
- 35% have 6+ years at current organization
- Average length of service to TDM industry: 7 years
- 25% have 10+ years or more in TDM
- 50% have 7+ years in the TDM industry
- 83% have 5+ years in the TDM industry
Longest serving their organization: 14 years, Erin Burke, Associate Marketing Manager, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
Burke manages the region’s commuter benefit program, RideECO, helping more than 500+ employers, and their 15,000+ employees, enroll in commuter benefits. She is the in-house expert at Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission on everything transit benefit-related, and staff rely on her to keep up with related news and legislation. Aside from prior regional recognition as part of Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association’s inaugural top TDM professional awards, Burke has also volunteered on her borough’s policy committee, providing input on the town’s comprehensive plan.
Longest serving TDM industry: 20 years, John Andoh, Program Manager, Bus Contracts, Capital Metro (Austin, Texas)
Andoh has been instrumental in his career in the implementation of vanpool and other transportation demand management programs from California to Texas. He has received more than six national and regional awards in the last 11 years for transit improvement, outstanding public transit operation, financial excellence, and transportation innovation.
Youngest honoree: Tony Perez, Sustainability Program Strategist, Salt River Project
On top of running 28 vanpools, SRP’s bikeshare and public transit programs, Perez has supported and developed rideshare programs that have earned three Clean Air Campaign Awards for Salt River Project and earned SRP a bronze designation for being a bicycle-friendly business. Perez is also president of the Valley of the Sun Chapter for ACT and serves as the Valley of the Sun Chapter representative to the ACT National Board. In his core job, Tony supports SRP’s vanpool program with 28 operating vanpools, corporate bikeshare, and public transit program.
About ACT:
The Association for Commuter Transportation, (ACT), is an international trade association and leading advocate for commuter transportation and TDM. Commuting by bus, train, rideshare, bike, walking, or telework improves our world by contributing to energy independence, better air quality, sustainability, urban mobility, and reduced congestion. Through advocacy, education, and networking efforts, ACT strives to improve the lives of commuters, the livability of communities, and the economic competitiveness of businesses.
