A TTA Transit Lunch & Learn Webinar
For the millions of people who depend on public transit every day, the Infrastructure Bill is a huge victory. Join us on February 1 to learn about what this bill means for transit in Tarrant County.
Tue, February 1, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Online On Zoom
This Webinar is approved for 1.5 AIA LUs This webinar may be eligible for other CEU or PDh credits
//// Tickets //// $15 Per Person | //// Members //// Enter the special coupon code posted in the Advocates Area to get a 20% discount on this event. | //// Sponsors //// Renewed Annual Sponsors receive a certain number of free tickets to TTA Lunch & Learns. Please contact Hello@TarrantTransitAlliance.org to get more information. |
PREREQUISITE EDUCATION OR EXPERIENCE: This course is considered introductory, and no prior education or experience is required.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Participants will explore what funding is coming into the North Texas/ Tarrant region from the Federal Government via the Infrastructure Bill.
Discuss and understand the process for bringing in funds from the federal government to the region.
Participate in the conversation on how the business community can prepare for the impacts of this funding.
Discover and discuss any potential roadblocks in receiving the funding and if there are ways to alleviate or avoid them.
Rebekah Gongora
Communications Manager - Public Involvement and Government Relations North Central Texas Council of Governments - Transportation Department
Rebekah Gongora serves as a Communications Manager at the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), where she manages government relations and legislative affairs for the Transportation Department. In this role, Rebekah oversees communications with elected officials, while monitoring and reporting on federal and state legislation related to transportation and air quality issues. She also leads public involvement efforts on specific transportation projects and studies in North Texas. Prior to her work at NCTCOG, she worked at the State Capitol as a legislative aide to a state senator and worked as a council liaison and policy advisor to a City of Dallas councilmember. Rebekah holds a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at Arlington and a bachelor’s degree in Government from the University of Texas at Austin.
Gail Lyssy
Regional Administrator Federal Transit Administration - Region VI | U.S. Department of Transportation
Gail Lyssy is the Regional Administrator for the Region 6 office of the Federal Transit Administration. Based in Fort Worth, Region 6 is responsible for providing funding and oversight to transit providers in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Gail joined FTA in 1996 as the Regional Engineer in Region 6 after working as a transportation engineering consultant in Dallas. She is a 1985 graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and is a registered Professional Engineer in Texas.
Steve Montgomery
Director of Government Relations Trinity Metro
Steve Montgomery brings 30 + years of public and private sector experience in the areas of public affairs, governmental relations, organizational leadership, and strategic communications. In his role with Trinity Metro, Steve applies his skills to help guide the government affairs and policy advocacy activities of the transportation authority by shaping public policy to achieve success and growth. Steve thrives on engagement in the local business, community, and government conversation and enjoys connecting people across a spectrum of disciplines to ensure the sum is always greater than the parts. Steve has worked on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and in the State Capitol in Austin as a legislative aide. He has also spent much of his career as a policy advocate in the healthcare, energy, transportation, and information technology sectors. Steve received his BA in Government from the University of Texas at Austin and his MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington. He and his wife Rebecca live in Fort Worth.
William M. Johnson
Director of Transportation and Public Works City of Fort Worth
A senior leadership executive with more than 25 years of experience managing and improving organizations, William Johnson has worked as Director of Fort Worth’s Transportation & Public Works Department since September 2019. Johnson has served in many executive roles across the country.
Prior to moving to Fort Worth, he was appointed Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Public Works Commissioner by City of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed in 2016. Prior to these appointments, Johnson served as Streets Commissioner for the City of Philadelphia, and the Director of Baltimore City Department of Transportation, where he had a pivotal leadership role in providing construction, reconstruction and repair for thousands of miles of roadway, intersections and other public utilities. He began his eminent career in executive management in 1991, while working as Division President and General Manager of Waste Management, Inc. in Oakland, California.
He has provided leadership to organizations and business units in excess of 2,300 employees, developed and managed budgets in excess of $400M, and has developed business units in excess of $100M in annual revenue with full P&L responsibility.
Mr. Johnson established new operating companies for Fortune 500 firms, and led the turnaround of two large service-based organizations. He managed and negotiated union agreements, and developed new business while negotiating service contracts valued at over $1B.
Johnson’s strengths include leading large teams with varied priorities and his ability to assess organizations and business situations, develop performance measures for success, develop the people, processes and technology required to achieve success.
William Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the University of Mississippi. He also received a Master of Science degree in Geological Engineering from the University of Missouri. Additional educational accomplishments include a Certificate of Completion: Program on Negotiation for Senior Executives, from Harvard University, and a Certificate of Completion: Reinventing Leadership: A Breakthrough Approach, from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management.
Johnson has two children (Gregory and Angela) who lead successful careers in investment banking and high tech industries, and his wife, Onyinye, who is an executive in the transportation industry.
MODERATOR
April Rose Escamilla, P.E.
Civil Engineer Kimley-Horn & Associates
With experience in private consulting, state regulatory arenas, and academic research - I've had the opportunity to see how our industry adapts to issues currently impacting clients today. When I'm not helping design pipelines, lift stations, or assisting in master planning, you'll find me exploring what North Texas has to offer.
Questions? Contact Rachel Albright Tarrant Transit Alliance Rachel@TarrantTransitAlliance.org
About the Tarrant Transit Alliance The Tarrant Transit Alliance works with contributors, community officials, and regional leaders to build support for funding regional transit in Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Our purpose is to educate, empower and mobilize policy to serve our entire region. We are committed to:
Galvanizing community support for transit and transit-oriented development
Providing information on the benefits of transit
Developing regional agreement on strategies for funding transit
Advocating for dedicated funding for regional and local transit