The 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/.