ELECTION COMMITTEE
Announcement of the election results (Updated on 4/3/2009)
The Elections Results are in! Thank you to everyone for taking the time to participate in the election. Thank you to the members of the Elections Committee for all of your efforts. Special thanks to the candidates for volunteering to help make the Transportation Division great!
The election results are:
CHAIR
Noel P. Comeaux, AICP, PMP 123 Votes 
Richard Wilson (Write-In Candidate) 1 Vote
VICE-CHAIR
Brett K. Caldwell, AICP 77 Votes
Lynda P. Jordan 30 Votes
Ramond A. Robinson 19 Votes
Hilary Perkins (Write-In Candidate) 2 Votes
SECRETARY
David B. Fields 121 Votes
Ramond A. Robinson (Write-In Candidate) 1 Vote
Stephen Tochnell (Write-In Candidate) 1 Vote
TREASURER
R. Todd Ashby, AICP 123 Votes
Joe Marking (Write-In Candidate) 1 Vote
The following is an alphabetical list of the candidates by office including the brief biography provided by each candidate:
Candidates for Chair (1 candidate)
Noel P. Comeaux, AICP, PMP for Chair:
I have been the Chair of the Transportation Planning Division for almost two years, leading its reinvigoration. Efforts have included six new/redeveloped committees and most recently the new Technical Assistance Program, drawing upon the expertise of the Policy Advisory Committee. The six committees include:
• Planner’s Advisory Committee/Counsel
• Elections Committee
• Membership Committee
• Research Committee
• Legislative/Policy Committee (now including the Airports Committee)
• Student Paper Competition Committee
Further, with the help of Hilary Perkins (Vice-Chair), TPD is now on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Ning to promote its mission to facilitate membership networking. With the help of David Fields, Secretary, TPD supports Certification Maintenance as well as having decided to hold its second semi-annual business meeting in October 2008 at Railvolution in San Francisco. In other words, my focus has been a gaining everyone’s buy-in for a good, involved organized effort.
Aside from being Chair, I recently took a new federal position with the USDOT Maritime Administration (MARAD) in the Office of Marine Highways and Passenger Services for America’s Marine Highways Program, defined by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Prior to MARAD, I worked as a defense contractor with ABS Consulting, Inc. (a private arm of the American Bureau of Shipping), where I became a certified project manager (PMP); and at General Dynamics Information Technology, where I got my Secret Clearance, for both the US Navy and Coast Guard. I have also consulted for the US Panama Canal Authority, many of the United States’ deepwater ports as well as for shallow draft operations including OSV (offshore oil supply). I have also worked for The Louis Berger Group, URS, and TranSystems Corporation.
I started my career at the Port of New Orleans about 15 years ago, focusing on landside access issues including for the Julia Street Cruise Terminal, wherefrom I became a contractor for Frederic R. Harris (now AECOM) doing economic development and high speed rail projections for highway corridor commissions and the Port of New Orleans. (I like ports because a planner can play with a little truck, train, ship, and car (cruise operations.))
If you re-elect me, I will continue to work for TPD to be a go-to source for technical expertise for you and the general public. I believe TPD should not just be a networking organization but really serve a noble purpose for public policy and the America’s general welfare.
Finally, I miss the food in New Orleans but thankfully don’t live there for the sake of potentially being a few pounds heavier. I prefer to waterski, snow ski a little, and just age gracefully!
Candidates for Vice-Chair (3 candidates)
Brett K. Caldwell, AICP for Vice-Chair:
Brett Caldwell is an Airport Planner II for the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. He has over 20 years of airport and transportation planning experience. He conducts airport planning and environmental analysis and review associated with the Airport Master Plan, the Airport Transit Plan, the Air Quality Management Program, and several other projects at San Diego International Airport.
Brett has extensive experience working for private-sector airport consultants. He has managed and prepared airport master plans, environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, FAR Part 150 noise compatibility studies, airport layout plan updates, and heliport planning and design studies at commercial and general aviation airports, as well as several military facilities, throughout the United States. He also has significant expertise with managing and preparing projects that were focused on intermodal connectivity.
Brett has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography (City & Regional Planning Area of Concentration) and a Masters of Science Degree in City & Regional Planning from Western Kentucky University.
Brett is a Visiting Assistant Professor for Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), where since 1998, he has taught airport planning and design. He has also served as an Adjunct Instructor for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in California, New York, and Maryland. During his tenure at ERAU, he taught various undergraduate and graduate courses in transportation planning, airport planning & design and airport systems planning.
Lynda P. Jordan for Vice-Chair:
Enrolling as a graduate student at Alabama A & M University, in the Department of Community Planning and Urban Studies, Lynda had no doubt in her mind that preservation was the professional venue where she would focus her studies. With a concentration in Housing and Community development she has served as a Graduate Assistant on a research project, in collaboration with the Center of Urban and Rural Research (CURR), in which she developed a quarterly publication that profiled the status of families in Alabama’s Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA), and an annual compendium of the quality of life indicators in Alabama MSA’s.
In 2006/07 she served as Regional Student Representative for the American Planning Association Region 3. Lynda also applied and was selected as an intern for the Summer Transportation Internship Program for Diverse Groups (STIPDG) where she worked with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. There she had the opportunity to view preservation from a transportation prospective as it dealt with enhancement programs. More specifically, she worked on a project that involved the compliance of regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. This experience along with being an Eisenhower Fellow for the 2006 through 2007 school years has empowered and impacted Lynda’s life. She has excelled in her graduate studies and has been acknowledged as the American Institute of Certified planner’s outstanding graduate student of 2007 and has received Alabama A&M University’s Department of Community Planning & Urban Studies Alumni Benjamin Banneker Award for outstanding graduate student for 2008.
Most recently, Lynda was selected by the American Planning Association as a scholarship recipient for the 2008 China Study tour where she explored 2200 years of China’s Urban Civilization through various exhibitions, lectures, and forums concerning China’s challenges in housing, transportation, infrastructure, historic preservation, and environmental protection. Lynda believes that serving as the Vice-Chair of the transportation division would be a great opportunity to serve, learn and contribute her skills and ideas. Lynda has a BS in Organizational Management from Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama and will complete and receive her Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning in May of 2009.
Ramond A. Robinson for Vice-Chair:
• Experience
I have seven (7) years experience in Transportation, Transit Planning and Operations, with concentrations in Short and Long -Range Planning for services using the 3C(Comprehensive, Coordinated and Continuous) process. I am well versed in using the latest computer applications and software.
I have considerable experiences dealing with environmental issues in urban and rural communities and I have knowledgeable experiences with Environmental Policies and Procedures. I have participated in the Program Bicycle and Pedestrian with Durham City Planning department in Durham, NC. I have participated in a Fair Housing Study conducted in the City of Durham. I have participated in environmental studies as they pertain to transit services. I have experience in report generation and upkeep as well as budget experience. I have participated with many programs that facilitate environmental awareness through local government. Today, I am a Transit Planner for Charlotte Area Transit System.
• Purpose
I am a self-starter that can take any task head-on or work with a group to get the best results. I am an open-minded individual who enjoys working with others but is not afraid of working independently. I enjoy educating others and enjoy transactive interaction. I enjoy challenges and I am not afraid of conquering them. I take pleasure in learning new things.
I believe in planning through evaluating the best strategies to develop the best solutions. I consider myself to be task oriented and pursuant to seeing the small detail become a part of the bigger picture. I am excited at the opportunity to have greater contribution to the Transportation Planning Division.
Candidates for Secretary (1 candidate)
David B. Fields for Secretary:
As the TPD Secretary for these past two years, it’s been great to watch the Division grow. We’ve grown both in the number of members, but more importantly, we’ve expanded our efforts to make TPD membership valuable to our members. This Executive Committee has embraced the mission of making TPD the “Go-to resource for Transportation Planning.”
As Secretary, I’ve spearheaded three key TPD initiatives. The first is restarting the Planner’s Advisory Council. With over 20 members each with extensive experience in transportation planning, the PAC provides the Division with reliable resources when questions arise. PAC members have answered questions from journalists, politicians, and local community associations. Each time we are called upon to represent the planning profession, we increase TPD’s role as transportation planning’s go-to resource.
While getting TPD’s name out to the public is important, protecting our members is just as critical. That’s why, when the AICP Commission implemented the new Certification Maintenance system that was unfair to Division members, I worked with the Executive Committee to take a stand. I organized the on-line survey that hundreds of members responded to. Based on the member input provided in the survey, I drafted a detailed letter highlighting our concerns. The AICP Commission has since revised the CM Program. While we’re still working with them to eliminate the final issues, the current program is much improved, since it addresses most of the issues raised by TPD members.
When we couldn’t solve every CM-related issue by working with the AICP Commission, I proposed an alternate to help our members. One of TPD’s greatest concerns was the lack of local transportation-related programs that will qualify for CM credit. Working with the TPD Executive Committee, I’ve developed the TPD CM Financing Program. In exchange for local APA chapters hosting transportation-related programs that are offer CM credits, TPD will co-sponsor the event and reimburse the chapter for the cost of the CM credit. In this way, chapters are encouraged to provide transportation programming that is relevant to local members without being constrained by the new cost implications of the CM program.
I would like to continue serving the Transportation Planning Division as its Secretary for another two years. I hope to continue the PAC and helping the CM program to evolve. I also want to work more closely with local chapter’s Transportation Committees and offering additional ways for the Division to support locally-scheduled transportation-focused events.
Background and Qualifications:
• Secretary, Transportation Planning Division (April 2007 to Present)
• Chair, Transportation Committee, NY Metro Chapter (November 2004 to Present)
• New York City Section Representative, NY Metro Chapter (September 2006 to Present)
• American Institute of Certified Planners, July 1999 to Present
• Master of Urban Planning, New York University, May 1996
• American Planning Association, May 1994 to Present
Candidates for Treasurer (2 candidates)
R. Todd Ashby, AICP for Treasurer:
Professional Experience: Currently I am a project manager for Snyder & Associates, dealing primarily with roadway and aviation projects. Before joining Snyder & Associates I was with CH2M Hill doing environmental documentation work. Prior to that, I was the Assistant Director of Transportation at the Mid-America Regional Council, the MPO for Kansas City, MO. I stated my career working for the Missouri Department of Transportation, spending time in both its headquarters office as well as the Kansas City district office. I am also an Individual Affiliate of the Transportation Research Board, serving on the Committee on Urban Transportation Data and Information Systems since 2005.
APA/TPD Qualifications: I have been the Treasurer of TPD since 2005. During the past two terms I have been in office, I have worked with the TPD Board to develop a thoughtful and balanced budget. Additionally, I worked with APA headquarters to implement common budgeting, banking and reporting practices relative to the national office and other divisions and chapters. In 2005 I was also elected as president of the Missouri APA Chapter, which I served until moving out of state. Prior to serving as president of the Missouri APA Chapter I was the Secretary/Treasurer of the chapter for four years.
Position Statement: TPD provides many programs and services to its members and as we budget for these yearly activities, I will work with the TPD Board to ensure that the necessary financial resources are available to achieve the division’s goals. I will continue to look for new sources of revenue as well as areas in which the division can reduce expenditures. I will work with the national office to ensure we meet our financial reporting obligations. APA this year again, modified their reporting requirements for divisions and I have worked with Susan Turner at APA to implement the new reporting requirements. As the TPD Treasurer, I have and will continue to strive to manage the division’s fiscal resources in the best and most sensible manner possible to allow the division to provide its services and programs to its members.
Ryan Pettit for Treasurer:
I have not held prior TPD office but want to get involved.
• VP Finance-Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity Fall 1999 (Iowa State University)
• Alumni Board Treasurer-Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity 2003-2006 (Iowa State University)
• Transportation Student Association-Social Chair Fall 2008 (Iowa State University)
• Graduate of Iowa State University, Bachelor of Liberal Studies, 2001; Master of Science in Transportation, 2008
• Business Manager, Peter Kiewit Industrial Division, Seattle, WA/Long Beach, CA, May 2001-June 2003
• Financial Accountant, Communications Data Services, Des Moines, IA, September 2003-December 2006
• Graduate Research Assistant, Center for Transportation Research and Education, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, May 2007-December 2008
• Research Assistant, Center for Transportation Research and Education, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, January 2008-Present
The following is the election schedule:
January 1: Announcement of the slate of candidates
February 1: Ballot mailing
March 15: Deadline for receipt of ballots
April 1: Announcement of election results
Thanks for reading about our candidates. If you have any questions about the elections process, please contact me at jjosborn@co.mchenry.il.us.