Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
Senior Manager of Capital Program Planning, Sources Group Lead, April 2021-Present
In my current role in the Capital Program Planning group at the MBTA, I lead the development of strategy for Federal discretionary grants and other outside sources. I created a team to manage the agency’s grant application development, which increased MBTA’s access to funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and build out a pipeline of capital projects for recurring grant programs. This new strategy and improved applications produced more than $170 million in grant awards to date. We also have $1+ billion in applications pending decisions by the Federal government, and several applications in active development.
I also support the annual update of the MBTA’s approximately $9.5 billion five year capital plan by developing decision support tools for leadership. This prioritization process resulted in a fiscal year 2023-2027 capital investment plan that made significant investments in bus electrification, accessibility upgrades for stations, needed major bridge replacements, and other state of good repair work.
Manager of Capital Program Planning, January 2019-April 2021
In my prior role in the Capital Program Planning group, I led implementation of the 5-year approximately $9 billion Capital Investment Plan (CIP). I worked closely with other capital finance groups and department heads to support decision-making by senior leadership around acceleration of the capital program, addressing new needs arising mid-year, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. I managed a group of three analysts to support CIP development.
Project Manager, Fare Transformation, June 2017-December 2018
The Fare Transformation project office at the MBTA manages the design, development, and implementation of a $700+ million public private partnership to replace the current fare collection system with modern technology (hardware and software). The new model will improve service by reducing “dwell time” at stops and will have the functionality to support significantly more complex fare types, such as means-tested fares.
I held several project manager roles in this team. As Project Manager for Policy Implementation, I lead the process of translating system functionality into fare policy in the new fare collection system, acted as liaison between the AFC2 Project Office and outreach and policy leads. I represented the project to local governments and regional planning bodies, and managed the development of an approach to data privacy and security in the new fare collection system.
As Interim Project Manager for Construction, I lead an extensive design review process on installation plans along with a team of expert consultants, and coordinated a group of diverse stakeholders within the MBTA and MassDOT on issues relating to installation of fare collection equipment, including installation schedule, constructability, and accessibility.
As Project Manager for Contracts and Finance, I participated in the procurement process that resulted in the $700+ million public-private partnership with MBTA, Cubic Transportation Systems, and John Laing and coordinated with financial advisors to develop the internal financial model for this program.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Campus Sustainability Fellow, October-December 2015
Drafted a Request for Proposals for a campus Ecological Landscape and Stormwater Quality Plan, and proposed a framework for pilot waste management projects at MIT.
New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT)
PlaNYC Budget Coordinator, December 2013-March 2015
Worked with the New York City Office of Management and Budget to fund and kickoff Vision Zero, Mayor de Blasio’s citywide traffic safety initiative and an expanded bus rapid transit program in New York City.
Managed a ten-year budget of approximately $600 million in capital funds and an annual expense budget of approximately $12 million for projects related to PlaNYC, the citywide sustainability plan for New York City. These projects included bus rapid transit, plazas and public spaces, green infrastructure, and bike infrastructure.
Capital Budget Analyst, Street Reconstruction, June-December 2013
Managed the budget for a ten-year portfolio of $1.8 billion in capital street reconstruction projects, including City capital funds, State, FTA, and FHWA grants.
Worked closely with the Department of Transportation’s Capital Program Management group to ensure that City funds are effectively leveraged as a local match for grant funding.
Coordinated with NYC’s Office of Management and Budget, Department of Design and Construction, and within the Department of Transportation to ensure that these projects were fully funded, capitally eligible, and could move ahead in design and construction.
Analyst, Project Management Office, October 2011-June 2013
Performed a quality assurance function for NYCDOT’s capital projects by identifying issues and addressing both the source of these issues and the appropriate mitigation techniques with the project managers.
Provided technical support Department-wide for the use of Microsoft Project and Project Web Access.
Land Use Review Intern, June-October 2011
Created new and edited existing GIS shape files to show geographic, street, and census information about New York City.
Prepared detailed maps from GIS data upon request from other units within Finance, Contracts, and Program Management.