ANNUAL CONFERENCE & MEETING PRESENTATIONS

2025 aNNUAL CONFERENCE  |  Richmond, vIRGINIA

Transforming Transit Through Art: Andrea Garland (RVARC), David Fols (Bay Transit), Perrin Palistrant (OmniRide), and Miranda Hellem (OmniRide)
Cybersecurity Considerations for Transit IT Infrastructure: Susan Howard (MBI), Curtis Pierce (4 Nines Tech), and Nick Britton (MBI)

►Hands on with Remix!: Josh Panter (remix and Wood Hudson (DRPT)

The New Federal Landscape: Art Guzzetti (APTA) and David Schilling (FTA)
Commuter Assistance Program Strategic Plans: Sam Sink (Kimley-Horn), Chris Arabia (DRPT), Amy Jordan (goCommute), and Becky Sandretzky (NSVRC)

►Creative Solutions to Transit Funding Challenges: Sophie Spiliotopoulos (NVTC, Ann McGrane (NTVC), Nate Macek (HDR), Dennis Leach (HDR), and Bob Schneider (PRTC)

►Pulic Transit or Land Use (The Chicken or the Egg Analogy): Sherri Dawson (HRT), Brian Booth (Blacksburg Transit), Stewart Schwartz (CSG), and Jim McNamara (Chesapeake City)

►Accelerating Transit Workforce Development: Karitsa Holdzkom (ITLC/TWC), Ashley Mason (GRTC), Wendy Tunstall (GRTC/ATU Local 1220), Mitch Huber (DRPT), Jennifer Hynson (VA Works), and Angela Kelly-Wiecek (VA Works)
Roundtable: Funding Our Future: William Harrell (HRT), Kate Mattice (NVTC), and Garland Williams (CAT)
Awards Luncheon: Tiffany Robinson (DRPT), Karen Finucan-Clark, Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond (Virginia Beach), Diana Hall (VTA)

2024 aNNUAL CONFERENCE & EXPO  |  HARRISONBURG, vIRGINIA

The Rise of Incivility in Transit: Josh Baker (DASH), Stewart Mader (FTA), Anthony Carter (GRTC), and moderator Josh Moore (GLTC)
Messaging the Value of Transit: Ann McGrane, AICP (NVTC) and Sophie Spiliotopoulos (NVTC)
Federal Update, General Assembly Update, Tips on Effective Legislative Advocacy: Danny Plaugher (VTA), David Schilling (FTA), Greg Potts (WMATA), Joe Dillard, (GRTC), and Noelle Pinkard (HRT)
►Mobile Fare Collection Systems: What You Need to Know: Josh Moore (GLTC), Bob Schneider (OmniRide), and Joe Stainsby (OmniRide)
Moving Forward: Dialogues for Effective Public Transit Solutions: Devon Thompson (Brite Bus), Lisa Sink (RideSource), and Jonathan Barnes (CAT)
Visualizing Transit Data: Xavier Harmony (NVTC), Sophie Spiliotopoulos (NVTC), Dan Sonenklar (DRPT), and Tim Witten (Blacksburg Transit)
►Zero-Emission Fleet Transition: Tiffany Dubinsky (DRPT), Sam Sink (Kimley-Horn), Ken Pollock (Bay Transit), and Tim Witten (Blacksburg Transit)
Building Stakeholder Consensus: Ricky Angueira (JW+A) and Matt Scalia (WATA)
Driving Change in Rural Communities: The Transformative Impact of the Afton Express Commuter Bus ServicePaula Melester (Brite Bus) and Devon Thompson (Brite Bus)
Transit Facilities: Moving Concept to Construction:
Sam Sink (Kimley-Horn), Alan Saunders (DRPT), and Derek Overstreet (STV)
2024 Awards Luncheon and Virginia Transit Leadership Institute Graduation:
Keynote: The Honorable Jennifer DeBruhl, Director, DRPT

2023 aNNUAL CONFERENCE & EXPO  |  vIRGINIA BEACH, vIRGINIA

Funding Innovative On-Demand Transit Services Todd Allen (RideCo), Joe Stainsby (PRTC)
Bus Stops and Shelters, Planning and Design Alan Saunders (DRPT), Bethel Kefyalew (DRPT), Raquel Aguirre (GRTC)
Transit Champions VIP Breakfast Jack Clarke (International Transportation Learning Center)
Microtransit: Utilizing Data in Designing a Fully Integrated Transit Network Steve Yaffe (Yaffe Mobility Consulting), Terence McPherson (Via), Ken Pollock (Bay Aging), Amy Braziel (HRT), Perrin Palistrant (OmniRide)
Overcoming Cultural Biases in Outreach Methods: Implementing Equitable, Anti-Racist Engagement Practices Kelli Rowan (City of Richmond), Chenice Brown (City of Richmond), Richard Hankins (RVA Rapid Transit)
Reframing Public Transit: Increasing Ridership and Public Engagement Courtney Standerfer (Siddall Communications), Kelley Deegan (Siddall Communications)
How Vanpooling Complements Transit and Generates Additional Federal Funding Ben Matters (OmniRide), John O'Keefe (RideFinders), Amy Jordan (HRT), Holly Morello (OmniRide)
What's Next for ZEB? How your Agency Moves Forward! Josh Baker (DASH), Mike Shindledecker (Kimley-Horn), Sibyl Pappas (HRT), Amy Mesrobian (WMATA)
2023 Awards Luncheon William Harrell (HRT), Karen Finucan-Clarkson (VRE), Virginia Sen. Aaron Rouse

2022 ANNUAL CONFERENCE & BUS eXPO  |  rOANOKE, VIRGINIA

Cultivating & Maintaining a Robust Transit Workforce: Austin J. Franklin, Good-Natured Life CEO; Panel:  Benito Perez, Transportation 4 America (moderator); Raymond Mui, DASH; Mike Norvell, Bay Transit; Alex Brink, HRT
New Opportunities in the TRIP Program: Lauren Magnotto, DRPT; Josh Moore, GLTC; Martin Barna, DASH
Building Strategic Leaders: What Does Your Agency Need? Danny Plaugher, VTA; Ray Melleady, United Safety; and Raymond Mui, DASH 
Virginia Update featuring Jennifer DeBruhl, Acting DRPT Director
Transition to the Zero Emission Bus: Alleyn Harned, Virginia Clean Cities (moderator); Panelists: Maya Alunkal; WMATA; Cynthia Gibson, Center for Transportation and the Environment; Kate Staples, Dominion Energy; and Tim Witten, Blacksburg Transit 
Measuring and Mending Transportation Injustices and Inequities: Kelli Rowan, Dironna Moore Clarke, and Brandon King, City of Richmond 
Interagency Collaboration to Enhance Pedestrian Safety: David Harmer and Eric Kimpfler, Virginia Transit Liability Pool
Vanpooling 101:Emily Cass, TRAFFIX, Leigh Anderson, GW RideConnect; Holly Morello, OmniRide; and John O’Keeffe,
RideFinders
Improving the Transit Customer Experience: Jiaxin Tong, WSP; Anikwenze Ogbue, WMATA; Martin Barna, DASH
General Assembly and the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Update: Lisa Guthrie & Danny Plaugher, VTA; Art Guzzetti, APTA

2021 Annual Conference & Expo  |  Tyson's Corner, vIRGINIA

Conference photos are available here. Additional photos are available on VTA's flickr page. Here’s the 2021 Annual Conference Program.

► “Transit Equity – Central to Our Success” – Paul Smedberg, Chair of WMATA Board of Directors, Moderator; Delegate Delores McQuinn, Chair House Transportation Committee; Jacqueline Hopkins, Esq., SEPTA Director, EEO/AA &Employee Relations; Faith Walker, Director of Community Outreach, RVA Rapid Transit
► “Zero Emissions Technology” – Alleyn Harned, Virginia Clean Cities; Josh Baker, DASH
► “GTFS Transit Navigator” – Brittany Voll and Wood Hudson, DRPT; Katherine Newman, Bay Transit
► “VTA’s Transit Equity Leadership Toolkit” – Lisa Guthrie, VTA; Dr. Sidney Faucette; Equity Consultant to VTA; Grant Sparks, DRPT
► “Implementation Strategies for a Network Redesign” – Raymond Mui, DASH; Joe Stainsby, OmniRide; Emily DelRoss, GRTC
► “Moving Forward in Virginia” – DRPT Director Jennifer Mitchell
► “Delivering Innovation for Transit and Mobility” – Keith Jasper, NVTA; Michael Norvell, Bay Transit; Raphael Barcham, Cambridge Systematics
► “Changing Fare Policies: Zero Fares Post-Pandemic” – Julie Timm, GRTC; Lauren Fishbein, DRPT; Garland Williams, CAT
► “Successfully Executing and Applying Transit Strategic Plans” – Danielle McCray and Lucas Muller, Kimley-Horn; Brian Booth, Blacksburg Transit; Michael Felschow, Fairfax Co.; Perrin Palistrant, OmniRide; Daniel Sonenklar, DRPT
► “Post-COVID Transit – Lessons Learned- Operations,” – Byren Lloyd, OmniRide; Martin Barna, DASH; Rodney Davis, HRT
► “Post-COVID Transit – Lessons Learned – Ridership Recovery & Marketing” – Ashley Mason, GRTC; Matt Friedman, NVTC; Perry Barnett, Moovit
► “Federal Infrastructure and Reauthorization” – U.S. Senator Mark Warner
► “Executive Priorities for Transit” – Gubernatorial candidates - former Governor Terry McAuliffe and Glenn Youngkin
► “Moving the Needle on Transit” - Governor Ralph Northam
► “New Direction at FTA” – FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez

2020 Annual Conference  |  Virtual

► “Restoring and Growing Ridership”
► “Developing Leadership During Challenging Times”
► “Nimble Transit Network Planning”
► “Resiliency, COVID, and Lessons Learned”
► “Back to Basics – Our Story of Why Transit Matters”
► VTA Virtual Conference Awards Celebration

2019 FALL BOARD MEETING  |  rICHMOND, VIRGINIA

►DRPT Director Jennifer Mitchell's Presentation - DRPT Look Ahead
►Chris Arabia, Manager of Statewide Mobility Programs, Presentation - Commute!VA

2019 ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXPO  |  pORTSMOUTH, vIRGINIA

Thank you to all those who joined us for the conference! Over 275 attendees came to network with colleagues, hear about new products and services, and learn how to enhance transit efforts across the Commonwealth. Conference presentations are available below. Conference photos are available here. Additional photos are available on VTA's flickr page. Here’s the 2019 Annual Conference Program. 

Nat Ford, CEO of Jacksonville Transportation Authority (Video available here.) 
Leadership Characteristics Hand-out
Measuring Innovation – Dave Jackson, TransTrack
Increasing Ridership Using Priority Corridors –Diane Melia-Anderson, Whitman, Requardt, and Assoc.
Maintenance and the Move to Vertical – Jeana Stright and Teryn Murray; Wendel
Beat The Bunch - Tools, Technology, and Analytics to Actively Manage Bus Bunching- Mitch Skyer, Passio Technologies
Optimizing, Evaluating, and Using Social, Digital, and Mobile Marketing for Transit and TDM – Jim Wright & Scott Ensign, Pulsar Communications;
Virginia Statewide Integrated Mobility Project – Alan Toppen, Kimley-Horn; Jennifer DeBruhl, DRPT
Transit Means Business – Jason El Koubi, Virginia Economic Development Partnership; Mobile Solutions for Virginia Transit Agencies: Challenges and Opportunities Panel
Bob Schneider (OmniRide)
Alesia Cain (HRT)
Rob Taggart (GRTC)
Patricia Happ (NVTC)
Coordinated Human Services Mobility Planning in Virginia
Brad Shelton, Michael Baker International; Brittany Voll, DRPT;
Statewide Resiliency Readiness + Alternative Fuel Buses/Carbon
Michael Broe & Cody Christensen, STV
How to Collaborate With the Gig Economy – Monica Backmon, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority;
Jennifer Mitchell, DRPT Director - Virginia Updates 
Mark Hybner, APTA Senior Legislative Representative –  Federal Legislative Updates
Promoting Transit Ridership – Kira Siddall, Siddall Communications

2018 Annual Conference  |  Richmond, VIRGINIA

Conference photos are available here, and conference program is here: 2018 Annual Conference Program

The Rev. Benjamin Campbell, Pastor Emeritus of Richmond Hill; founder of RVA Rapid Transit; GRTC Board Member (Transcript of speech available here. Video available here
2018 Transit Funding and Reforms: Jennifer DeBruhl, DRPT
Driver Recruitment—Expanding Our Reach:
Tom Fox, Blacksburg Transit;
John Jones and Juwhan Lee, Charlottesville Area Transit;
Steve Boney, Metrobus;
Raymond Mui, DASH
Developing a Culture of Safety in Your Agency: David Harmer, Virginia Transit Liability Pool
“Select-a-Mode—A Box of Chocolates”: Multimodal Connectivity Panel
Mobility Innovation and Regional Issues: Gwo-Wei, FTA; Ann Dolecki, FTA Region III 
DRPT: Jennifer Mitchell, Director; Virginia Updates (funding, new prioritization)
CTAA: Scott Bogren; Federal Updates

2017 Annual Conference

2017 Conference Agenda 

Shelley Row-- Go With Your Gut--Effective Decision-Making in an Over-Thinking World
Transform 66 with Transit--Kate Mattice NVTC
Metroway Tour Agenda
Michelle Poyourow, Jarrett Walker and Associates, Planning for Liberty...
Rob Puentes, Eno Center for Transportation
Bill Gibbons, Uber
Jeff Becker, Denver, CO Regional Transportation District, Dial-a-Ride First and Last Mile
David Klein, Moovit
Michelle Poyourow, Jarrett Walker and Associates, City Leadership in Transit Planning
Jennifer DeBruhl, DRPT; TAM (Transit Asset Management) 
Jennifer Mitchell, Director DRPT, DRPT Update
Andrew Brady, Senior Director APTA Government Affairs; Federal Updates

2016 Annual Conference

2016 Conference Agenda 
John Martin, CEO of Southeastern Institute of Research "The State of Travel Study in VA"
Matt Caywood, CEO of TransitScreen, "Real-time Multimodal Transit Information in Public Spaces"  
Lynn Spencer, Director of System Safety, FTA, "Recent Safety Rulemaking"
Chris Zimmerman, VP for ED, Smart Growth America, Creating TOD That's Effective and Equitable
Leigh Weber, Principal, Cybersecurity Analysis, LTD, "Who is at Risk?"
Erika Young, Director of Strategic Partnerships, "VTA Buses Mean Business"
Kate Mattice,  Executive Director, NVTC, "Transit Means Business"
Mark Hickman, Senior Manager, Government and Community Affairs, Chamber RVA "Transit Means Business"
Brian Smith, Assistant to the President for Organizational Advancement, HRT "Transit Means Business
David Harmer, Virginia Transit Liability Pool Administrator, " Leadership and Management Vitality
Paul Mackie, Mobility Lab,  "Technology, TDM, and the Integrated Customer  Experience" 
Jennifer Mitchell, DRPT Director, "State Transit Update"
Tony Cho, FTA Region III, Director, Office of Program Management and Oversight, "Federal Fast Act Update"  
Amy Inman, Senior Administrator, on behalf of Selena Cuffee-Glen, CAO of City of Richmond, Overcoming Community Doubts and Fears re: BRT

2015 Annual Conference

William Harrell, CEO of HRT on HRT’s Connect Hampton Roads program: Connect Hampton Roads
Presentation from Keith Parker, CEO of MARTA on The Need for Public Support: Keith Parker MARTA Presentation
Howard Jennings, Mobility Lab Arlington County Commuter Services, ”TDM Best Practices”: TDM Best Practices
Steve Pittard, DRPT, on Virginia’s Transit Funding: Steve Pittard, DRPT Funding Trends
Steven Higashide, TransitCenter “For Riders’ Sake: New Technology and Urban Mobility options”:   Steven Higashide, For Riders’ Sake
Kevin Webb, Conveyal, Open Source TDM Information Tools in Arlington and Beyond: Open Source TDM Information Tools in Arlington and Beyond
Marlene Connor, Marlene Connor Associates LLC, on Integrated mobility: MarleneConnor. Integrated Mobility
VML article written by Kelley Coyner, Lisa Guthrie, and John Martin: Transit: the future may be riding on it

2013 Annual Conference

Public Open Data Feeds – Michael Elepano, Redmon Group, Inc.
Social Media Best Practices – Ellen Kamilakis, Fairfax County DOT
ITS Planning: Fairfax Connector Bus System – Christin Wegener, Fairfax County DOT
The Impact of Healthcare Reform on Transit Systems, Daryl Russell, Bankers Insurance (PresentationHandout - Employer Penalties | Handout– Model Exchange Notice for Employers that Offer Health Plans | Handout– DOL Issues Model Exchange Notice and Sets Compliance Deadline | Handout - Proposed Rule Released on Minimum Value and Affordability | Handout– FAQs on Annual Limits, Nondiscrimination, Clinical Trials & Transparency Reporting | Handout– ACA Mandates: Different Measures of Affordability | Handout– Health Care Reform: 2014 Compliance Checklist | Handout– Pay or Play Penalty Identifying Full time Employees) 
Regional Bus Service Rules Feb 2000

Summary of Metrobus Service Planning Policies
List of Service Optimization Treatments
Communication Strategies and Tactics
Business Case Justification for Service Proposals
Tomorrow’s Fleet Facility:  Efficiency, Sustainability and New Innovations – Ken Anderson and Steve Radomski
Better Data. Better Decisions – Mary Sue O’Melia
New Trends for Mobile Transit Video – James Geary, Apollo Video Technology
Security Video for Claim Mitigation and Investigation – David Harmer, VA Transit Liability Pool
Simulation Technology – Louis Maiello, FAAC
Alexandria Transit Company: Safety and Technology – Lorenza Myers, DASH
Communications and Outreach – Ellen Kamilakis and Christin Wegener, Fairfax County DOT
Effectively Reaching Customers and Stakeholders – Jennifer Green, WMATA

2012 Annual Conference

Dulles Rail Tour Orientation, Marcia McAllister, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
APTA Update – Brian Tynan, APTA
Super NoVa Transit/TDM Vision Plan
Rail, Transit & TDM Planning
Senate Joint Resolution 297
FTA Update - Brigid Hynes-Cherin, FTA
An Effective Approach to Open Payment Systems, Steven Grant, LTK Engineering
WMATA’s New Electronic Payments Program, Terri Anomnachi, WMATA
Introducing the Future of SEPTA Fare Collection, John McGee, SEPTA
Open Transit Data-What and Why, David Alpert, Greater Greater Washington
Using Route and Schedule Data in the GTFS Format, Kevin Webb, OpenPlans.org
Redmond Digital Signs: http://www.arlingtontransit.com/pages/rider-tools/digital-signs/
Mobility Lab Transit Screen: http://mobilitylab.org/2012/01/05/experimental-real-time-transit-screens-come-to-arlington-and-dc/
Transit Near Me: http://transitnearme.com/
GoDCGo Service Map: http://dcatlas.dcgis.dc.gov/godcgomobile/
Hangman Game Based on Metro Stops:http://mvjantzen.com/games/hangman.php?metro

2011 Annual Conference 

DRPT Update - Thelma Drake, VA DRPT
Building Community Support for Transit - Tom Shrout, Avvantt Partners, LLC
Panel: Challenges of EPA-Regulated Engines - Kelley MacKinnon, ART (moderator)
FTA Update - Tony Cho, Federal Transit Administration

 2010 Annual Conference

Federal Update: Sustainability, State of Good Repair and Livability Discretionary Grant Programs - Reggie Lovelace, Deputy Regional Administrator; Tony Cho, Community Planner, FTA; Ryan Long, Planner, FTA
DRPT Update - Hon. Thelma Drake, Director, DRPT and Corey Hill, Chief of Public Transportation
Best Practices in Communicating with Bus Operators - Joel Volinski, Director, CUTR
Lessons Learned in Transit Efficiencies, Cost Reductions, and Revenue Generation- Joel Volinski, Director, CUTR
Non-traditional Marketing to Spark Ridership (Click here for extended version) – Pulsar Advertising)
Digital Signage for Commuters - Redmon Group