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Tenth Transit Citizen Leadership Academy Welcomes 28 Community Leaders

Tenth Transit Citizen Leadership Academy Welcomes 28 Community Leaders

By MP&F Staff

TAMT Citizen LeadershipThe Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee kicked off its tenth Transit Citizen Leadership Academy on Wednesday. This class provides members with information and resources they need to become thought leaders on the transit discussion in Middle Tennessee. The first class focused on scanning the transit landscape and looking at transportation in the US and at in Tennessee, featuring speakers Robert J. Stewart, former chairman of the National Association of Railroad Passengers, David Briley, Vice Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, and Adetokunbo “Toks” Omishaki, Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Environment & Planning Bureau for the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

The goal is to inform and empower the 28 members of the leadership academy to become effective advocates for transit solutions and help them build support in their communities for emerging options that address the region’s traffic problems.

“The Transit Alliance is excited to welcome its tenth class of citizen-leaders,” said Jo Ann Graves, executive director of the alliance. “At this critical moment, getting educated on the transit situation is crucial to coming towards an effective solution.”

The academy has been made possible with support from the Ingram Industries, Inc. The class meets weekly through mid-June.

There are many additional opportunities to get involved with the Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee. Visit its website to learn more about community outreach and its involvement in MTA/RTA’s strategic planning process called nMotion.

Members of the class include:

Lewis Agnew

President, Chas. Hawkins Co., Inc.

Davidson County

Kim Baker

Chief Executive Officer, Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce

Sumner County

Brad Baumgartner

Senior Planner, City of Franklin

Williamson County

Brandon Bell

Town Alderman, Town of Thompson’s Station

Senior Architect. Greshman Smith & Partners

Williamson County

Lauren Brooks

Project Manager, Stansell Electric Company

Davidson County

Shelby Cowman

AVP/Commercial Relationship Manager. Regions Bank

Davidson County

Betsy Crossley

City Comissioner, City of Brentwood

Williamson County

Nicholas Deidiker

Financial Advisor, UBS Financial Services Inc

Davidson County

Joshua Evans

Owner, The UPS Store of Springfield

Robertson County

Wil Evans

President – Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance

Maury County

Alicia Fitts

Partner, Fitts Land Partners

Maury County

Monroe Gildersleeve

County Commissioner, Montgomery County Government

Montgomery County

Brian Hite

Master Resilience Trainer – Performance Expert, Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness.

Cheatham County

Trey Lewis

Vice-President, Ole South Properties Inc.

Rutherford County

Jason Loggins

Market President, Bank of Tennessee

Wilson County

Holly McCall

Owner/Principal, Morrigan Strategies

Williamson County

Eric McElroy

Project Manager, HDR

Williamson County

Kevin C. Michael

Counsel, Bradley Arant Boult Cumming, LLP

Davidson County

Michele T. Nanna

Senior Associate, Gresham Smith & Partners

Davidson County

Michael Phillips

Owner, Ansbach Artisans Fine Art Gallery

Williamson County

Buford L. “Booty” Reed

Chief Executive Officer, Dickson Housing Authority

County Commissioner, Dickson County Government

Dickson County

Stephen Songy

Director, Client Strategy and Consulting, CBRE, Inc.

Williamson County

Tom Stumb

Chairman & CEO, Truxton Trust Company

Davidson County

Whitney Sullivan

Transportation Manager 2, Local Programs Development Offfice, Tennessee Department of Transportation

Davidson County

Carolyn Tumbleson

Director of Development, Middle Tennessee State University, Jones College of Business

Rutherford County

Mary Margo Turner

Partner/Attorney, Rudy Winstead Turner, PLLC

Davidson County

Peter Westerholm

Senior Policy Analyst, Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

Davidson County

Kerry Woo

Owner, Kerry Wood Photography

Davidson County

About the Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee

The Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee works with contributors, community officials and regional leaders to build support for funding regional transit in Middle Tennessee. The purpose of the alliance is to educate, empower and mobilize policy to serve the entire region. The mission is to build support for funding regional transit by mobilizing community leadership. Companies, organizations and individuals can be part of the Transit Alliance through public and private partnerships as well as sponsorship opportunities. One of the primary offerings of the Transit Alliance is the Transit Citizen Leadership Academy. Over 233 people have graduated from the academy. To apply for future Transit Citizen Leadership Academy classes, please visit thetransitalliance.org/transit-academy/.