People News: STV, Virginia DRPT, R.J. Corman, DART, ASLRRA

Left to Right: Terry Snow, Carolinas District Manager and Raleigh Area Manager; Claire Brinkley, Charlotte Area Manager; and Mark Robbins, Alternative Delivery Regional Manager for the Carolinas (STV).

STV taps three transportation leaders to drive growth in the Carolinas. Also, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) selects Zach Trogdon as Acting Director; R. J. Corman Railroad Company welcomes Jake Weir as its new Senior Director, Industrial Development; Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) votes on a new contract for President and CEO Nadine Lee; and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) announces two new members of its Board of Directors, representing the Eastern Region.

STV

STV on June 19 announced that it has elevated three of its transportation leaders as the company continues to grow its team in the Carolinas:

• Terry Snow, PE, has been appointed to Carolinas District Manager and Raleigh Area Manager.
• Claire Brinkley, PE, has been appointed Charlotte Area Manager.
• Mark Robbins, PE, has been appointed as the Alternative Delivery Regional Manager for the Carolinas.

“Some of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. are in the Carolinas and sustainable growth requires future proofing our infrastructure,” said STV President of the Transportation South/Central Group Jerry Stump, PE. “With these new leaders at the helm, STV is well positioned to continue partnering and supporting these communities as they grow and develop creative solutions for their future.”

In the newly created role of Carolinas District Manager, Snow will “develop a district-specific strategy focused on the Raleigh, Charlotte and Charleston areas and foster more collaboration between teams across the region to better support clients,” according to the company. As Area Manager for Raleigh, the third fastest growing city in the U.S., Snow will also focus on “deepening client relationships and expanding STV’s local service offerings.”

He is a member of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Board of Advisors, North Carolina Economic Development Association, the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) in South Carolina and the American Society of Highway Engineers in South Carolina. He is currently the 2024 national conference co-chair at the American Society of Highway Engineers and previously served as a member of executive leadership for the Institute of Transportation Engineers Consultants Council. Snow received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University.

As Area Manager for STV’s Charlotte office, Brinkley will “lead efforts to support the rapidly changing infrastructure needs of the fifth fastest growing city in the U.S., while continuing to lead business development and client relationships in the region.” She serves various industry organizations and associations as a member of the board of directors for the ACEC of North Carolina; director-at-large on the Board of Directors for the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) Charlotte Metro Chapter; Mentor Protégé Committee member for NC Section Institute of Transportation Engineers and a member of the American Planning Association. Brinkley earned her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University.

Robbins will serve as the Alternative Delivery Regional Manager, a newly created role, which will lead alternative delivery project pursuit, initiation and delivery throughout the Carolinas. He has more than 35 years of experience managing bridge and roadway design throughout the Southeast, including an 11-year career with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University.

STV has five offices in the Carolinas, where it has “an extensive track record providing engineering design, program management and project management services on transformative transportation infrastructure programs for both the North Carolina Department of Transportation and South Carolina Department of Transportation.” Marquee projects include the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) light rail expansion in North Carolina; the $120 million US 17 Bypass at SC 707/Farrow Parkway in Myrtle Beach, S.C.; award-winning work on the Fort Mill Southern Bypass in York County, S.C.; and an award-winning water project at the Charlotte Airport in North Carolina.

Virginia DRPT

Secretary of Transportation Shep Miller selected Zach Trogdon in June to serve as the Acting DRPT Director after Jennifer DeBruhl’s retirement. Trogdon has led the agency’s public transportation team for almost two years.

“I thank Director DeBruhl for her many years of outstanding service and welcome Zach as our Acting Director. I know Zach is well equipped for this role and I very much appreciate his leadership and dedication to the agency as he steps into this key position,” said Miller.

“Having known Zach for many years going back to his time as the county administrator in Charles City County and executive director at the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority, I am confident that DRPT is in capable hands,” said DeBruhl.

“It is an honor and privilege to lead this agency and work with its hard working and caring employees. I am pleased I’ll get to continue to work with our transit partners, and I look forward to meeting those in the rail industry. Together, we’ll build upon our successes with public transportation and rail in the Commonwealth,” said Trogdon.

R.J. Corman

R. J. Corman Railroad Company on June 19 announced that Jake Weir will serve as the company’s new Senior Director, Industrial Development. Weir brings more than 15 years of experience in industrial development within a Class I railroad environment, serving for more than 18 years at Norfolk Southern.

In his new role, Weir will lead the company’s rail development efforts for businesses wanting to build or expand on R. J. Corman’s rail network.

“I am thrilled to welcome Jake to the team. His extensive experience in industrial development will be invaluable as we continue to expand our reach through best-in-class supply chain solutions. We are confident that Jake’s expertise and collaborative approach will be a major asset to our team,” said Shannon Drown, VP, Commercial & Industrial Development for R. J. Corman Railroad Company.

Weir holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering technology from Southern Polytechnic State University.

Weir’s expertise, R.J. Corman says, “will be crucial in maintaining the company’s competitive position in the industry and promoting economic development in the communities R. J. Corman serves.”

DART

DART’s Board of Directors on June 18 approved a new contract for President and CEO Nadine Lee.

The decision, the agency says, “reflects the Board’s confidence in Lee’s leadership and the progress DART has made under her guidance since July 2021.”

“Nadine has demonstrated over her first three years of leading this agency that she has the passion, the vision, and the leadership attributes to continue to drive our system forward,” said Board Chair Gary Slagel. “Our vote of confidence in Nadine is a vote of confidence in the incredible leadership team she has put together, and the more than 3,800 people who work every day to ensure DART remains among the leading transit agencies in the country.” 

Lee’s tenure, the agency says, “has been marked by a strategic focus on enhancing system safety, security, and reliability.” DART is now operating at more than 80% of pre-pandemic ridership levels. Bus and rail service cancelations and missed trips are at less than 1%, down from 15% two years ago. And the agency recently made a significant investment in safety by hiring 100 additional Transit Security Officers.

“It is an honor to continue leading the dynamic and dedicated staff to leverage DART as a powerful mobility and economic asset for the millions of residents and visitors to our 13 service area cities,” Lee said. “As DFW grows by four million more people in the next 20 years, we will ensure that our regional transportation system underpins and sustains the high levels of economic productivity we have today.”

Transitioning from a period of extensive system expansion, Lee redirected DART’s focus toward optimizing existing operations. This approach, the agency says, has led to an overhaul of the bus system, “highlighting DART’s commitment to investing in a robust transit system for current and future residents.”

Lee has also spearheaded several technological and operational advancements. Her administration expanded real-time data access, allowing more customers to track vehicle locations, delays, and service changes.

Under Lee’s leadership, DART says it has achieved industry-first mergers, such as the deep integration of Uber with DART’s GoLink service, “generating substantial operational savings.” DART has also partnered with other transit agencies around the country, licensing its GoPass payment and trip planning app. 

Using innovative strategies to address operator vacancies, DART was able to restore the original DARTzoom bus network to full service, achieving more than 99% of scheduled trips. This summer, DART says it is adding even more new service, “moving forward to achieve its goal of frequent and seamless service.”

Clean Teams were launched on light rail vehicles and buses, “ensuring cleanliness and enhancing the customer experience,” according to the agency. A comprehensive rail safety campaign led to a 51% reduction in pedestrian-related light rail collisions.

Lee’s team has also overseen ongoing development of the $2.1 billion Silver Line project, aligning the budget and schedule with the project scope. DART received significant funding for the adjacent Cotton Belt Hike and Bike Trail, including a $25 million RAISE grant.

The agency’s System Modernization Program is also in full swing, according to DART, with $2.1 billion allocated for upgrades and a $103 million Low-No grant for modernizing the CNG bus fleet.

The Board also recently approved the agency’s new Point B Strategic Plan, which includes priorities focused on the agency, customers, and communities. The strategic plan, developed over the past year, requires strong leadership for successful implementation, according to the agency. “Nadine’s passion for leveraging DART as a regional economic and mobility asset is evident in her achievements and the trust she has garnered from the staff and community,” the agency said.

Prior to her tenure with DART, Lee served as LA Metro’s Chief of Staff. In that role, she coordinated programs and services across the nation’s third busiest transit agency and led an effort to make bus service more equitable and dependable for residents.

Previously, she was the Deputy Chief Innovation Officer in LA Metro’s Office of Extraordinary Innovation where she led the development of Vision 2028, the agency’s 10-year strategic plan to improve mobility and quality-of-life for Los Angeles County residents.

ASLRRA

Two new railroad members have been selected to serve on the ASLRRA Board of Directors, representing the Eastern Region. Rodney Gordon, General Manager of Operations, Conrail, will fill Dewayne Swindall’s unexpired term (2023-2026), and Michael Tetler, EVP and Chief Information Officer, Carload Express will fill Eric Levin’s unexpired term (2022-2025).

In his nomination form, Gordon notes, “I have been a part of the ASLRRA since 2009 after joining Watco Companies and have seen the value that the ASLRRA provides to short line railroads across the country. I believe that I can make contributions to this Board with 25 years of service in the rail industry and the desire to give back to an industry that has given so much to me.”

Tetler’s nomination form shared his goal of “leveraging innovative technology and strategic partnerships to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability in the railroad industry, and as a board member, fostering collaboration among industry stakeholders to drive modernization and growth.”