2023 Awards

2023 Award Winners

The 2023 VTA Annual Awards Luncheon was held on May 24, 2023 in Virginia Beach, Virginia during the annual conference & expo at Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel. Thank you to our Platinum sponsors for supporting the awards program and Sen. Aaron Rouse for delivering the keynote.

   Left to right: Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond, Lisa Guthrie, William Harrell, Sen. Aaron Rouse, Kate Mattice, Karen Finucan-Clarkson 

2023 Awards Committee

• Karen Finucan Clarkson, Chair
• Brigitte Carter
• Amy Friedenberger
• Noelle Pinkard
• Chris Poindexter
• Maria Ptakowski
• Devon Thompson
  
  

The Joe Alexander Public Official Leadership Award: The Honorable Jennifer McClellan

Outstanding Contribution by an Individual:
Public Official | Katie Cristol
Private Sector | Mark Roberts

The Helen Poore Transit Professional Distinguished Service Award:
Tom Biesiadny, Fairfax County DOT
Neil Sherman, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
Marie Arnt, Hampton Roads Transit

Outstanding Community Program Award:
Regional Transit | Free Student Bus Pass, Fairfax Connector
Large Transit System | Art in Transit, OmniRide
Small Transit System | Art in Transit, Bay Transit

Outstanding Contribution by a Business: Transurban

Outstanding Transit Marketing Award:
Regional Transit | Silver Line Extension, WMATA & Fairfax Connector
Large Transit System | Sunday Service, OmniRide
Small Transit System | Operator Attainment Bonus Program, Blacksburg Transit
TDM | Commute Differently Campaign, Traffix

Transit Employee Unsung Hero Award: 
Holly Morello, OmniRide
Tajuana Smith, DASH
Latwana McClure, Traffix

The Lisa Guthrie & Linda McMinimy Public Transit Advocacy Award: RVA Rapid Transit