2024 Public Transportation Awards

2024 Award Winners

The 2024 VTA Annual Awards Luncheon and Virginia Transit Leadership Institute Graduation was held on May 23, 2024 in Harrisonburg, Virginia during our 46th Annual Conference & Expo.

2024 Awards Committee

• Karen Finucan Clarkson (VRE), Chair
• John O'Keeffe (RideFinders)
• Noelle Pinkard (Hampton Roads Transit)
• Chris Poindexter (Greater Lynchburg Transit)
• Maria Ptakowski (Suffolk Transit)
• Devon Thompson (Brite Bus)
  
• Kyle Trissel (DRPT)
• Mathew Friedman (NVTC)
• Charles Koonce (Fairfax CUE)
  
  

Outstanding Contribution by an Individual: Public Official | Mary Hynes, Commonwealth Transportation Board

The Helen Poore Transit Professional Distinguished Service Award: 
Ken Pollock, Bay Transit
Harland Brown, Blacksburg Transit
Jennifer DeBruhl, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
Charles Saunders, Valley Metro

Outstanding Community Program Award:
HRT | Multifaceted Community Engagement and Outreach Program
WMATA | Metro Lift | Honorable Mention

Exceptional Safety Award: OmniRide | Comprehensive Safety Plan

Outstanding Transit Marketing Award:
Regional Collaboration | Northern Virginia Transportation Commission | Ride with Us Campaign
Transit Agency | Arlington Transit | Strategic Plan Public Feedback Campaign
TDM | RideFinders | Be the CEO Campaign 

Transit Employee Unsung Hero Award:
Karen Davis, Williamsburg Area Transit
Matthew Rooney, FXBGO!
John O’Keeffe, RideFinders

Executive Director’s Special Recognition Award:
Ed Bedola, PRTC
Byren Lloyd, PRTC
Bob Schneider, PRTC
Dave Brown, PRTC
John Coburn, PRTC
Scott Swink, PRTC

Virginia Transit Leadership Institute Graduates:
Jonathan Barnes
William Bertolini
Dina Cunningham
Richard Hankins
Natalie Harris
Sonya Luther
Matthew Rooney
Nicolas Ruiz
Matthew Scalia
Lisa Sink
Brittany Sumpter, JD
Devon Thompson
Kyle Trissel
Wendell Watts II
Will Wright