: Connecting new professionals in transportation worldwide.
About
Young Professionals in Transportation (YPT) is an international 501(c)(6) nonprofit coalition of organizations, which helps professional development, fellowship, and networking for new professionals in the transportation field.
Membership to YPT is open to all young transportation professionals around the world. We DO NOT have an age-restricted definition of “young” in YPT. Anyone is welcome to participate in our activities.
DIRECTORS AND ADVISORS
Board of Directors
The National Board of Directors is based in Washington, DC and elected each November to provide guidance and leadership for the international organization as a whole.
YPT 2020-2021
CHAIR AND CEO
WILLIAM WANG // PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY CONTACT // CHAIR@YPTRANSPORTATION.ORG YPT NEW YORK CITY
William Wang is a Leadership Fellow at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He is currently working in the PATH Director’s Office for the Chief of Staff. William works on projects to modernize and digitize agency processes, improve customer experience, develop strategic initiatives for long term agency operations, and to support the Director’s Office in implementing the PATH’s billion-dollar improvement plan.
William was born in China and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He received a Bachelor’s Degree with a double major in politics and public policy from New York University and a Master of Public Affairs from Brown University. His experience in multiple levels of government from the U.S. Senate and House to the New York City Mayor’s Office has focused his passion and interest on urban planning and development in the New York Metropolitan Region. William works to promote collaboration and professional development opportunities for people in the transportation and civil service fields. In his free time, he enjoys spending time exploring parks and other public places, especially ones located near subways and train stations. RESPONSIBILITIES
Serve as the Chief Executive Officer of YPT International
Day-to-day implementation of the policy and guidelines of the Board of Directors
Preside over Board meetings and create/appoint members to Committees
DEPUTY CHAIR
SHANE MISZTAL // TRANSMART/EJM CONTACT // DEPUTY@YPTRANSPORTATION.ORG YPT CHICAGO
Shane Misztal is a Traffic Engineer at a civil engineering consulting firm TranSmart/EJM, located in Chicago. He has project experience in intersection design, traffic analysis, complete streets, traffic impact studies, and signal design and works on local projects alongside agencies such as the CTA, CDOT, and IDOT.
Shane is born and raised in Miami, Florida and moved to Chicago three and a half years ago. Shane has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida. Since 2016, Shane has been involved with the YPT-Chicago Chapter serving as Chair for Programs, Deputy Chair, and Chair. In his free time, he can be found playing in sports leagues such as softball, flag football, and volleyball leagues, and taking the CTA around town. RESPONSIBILITIES
Assist the Chair in administering the international board and with any miscellaneous
needs
Set up monthly board meetings
Administer the subsequent year’s election process
Stand in for the Chair when necessary
DIRECTOR OF SPONSORSHIP
JAIME MCKAY // WSP CONTACT // SPONSORSHIP@YPTRANSPORTATION.ORG YPT BALTIMORE
Jaime McKay is a transportation planner with WSP and is embedded within the Maryland Transit Administration’s Office of Planning and Capital Programming. Jaime focuses primarily on accessibility, outreach, and local transit support, and assisted with the launch of BaltimoreLink, the largest bus network redesign in Baltimore in decades. She has been involved with YPT since 2016 serving multiple roles for her local and international chapters. Jaime and her team won the 2016 YPT Project of the Year Award for their work on GTFS expansion in Maryland, and she has been recognized as an ACT 40 Under 40 Recipient.
Jaime received her Masters in Geography from the University at Albany, and was introduced to the wide world of geography as an undergraduate at Geneseo. Originally from Ballston Spa, NY, she’ll argue until the sun comes up about what qualifies as “upstate” New York, and she is an avid cyclist and hiker. Jaime loves trains and has a one-eyed cat named Linus, who you can meet on Twitter. RESPONSIBILITIES
Solicit and maintain international sponsors
Administer and keep up-to-date sponsorship levels
Provide accurate sponsorship information to the Director of Finance for budget
planning
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
CHRISTOPHER LAU // AECOM CONTACT // FINANCE@YPTRANSPORTATION.ORG YPT HOUSTON
Christopher Lau, P.E. is currently a Highways Civil Engineer with AECOM in Houston, Texas. He has worked on numerous highway PS&E and Schematic projects for multiple clients around Texas, including TxDOT and the City of Houston. Outside of work, Christopher has been involved with YPT since 2016, and has undertaken various leadership positions in YPT Houston, YPT International, and the ASCE Houston Branch.
Christopher grew up in Houston, Texas and earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in May 2016. He is also currently a 2022 MBA candidate at the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University. Since joining YPT, Christopher has been proactive in his goal to promote the connecting and networking of young transportation professionals globally. RESPONSIBILITIES
Collect individual dues payments and redistribute to chapters
Record and maintain accurate financial records
Pay organization bills in a timely fashion
Manage organization payment systems
Seek opportunities to best utilize existing financial resources and expand revenue streams
Develop annual budget and provide monthly updates to the international board
EMILY WEIGAND // JACOBS CONTACT // CHAPTERS@YPTRANSPORTATION.ORG YPT AUSTIN
Emily Weigand, P.E., PTOE is a Transportation Engineer at Jacobs in Austin, TX. Her work focuses on traffic operations analysis and design work. Emily has worked on TxDOT projects throughout the state of Texas, some local projects in Austin, and master plan development projects. Emily holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Emily’s enjoys pilates and spin classes, baking and cooking, and traveling to places with french patisseries. RESPONSIBILITIES
Communicate with local chapter leadership and hold monthly chapter calls
Assist interested individuals in establishing new YPT chapters
Assist chapters with day-to-day chapter management
Monitor chapters with low or changing membership numbers
Serve as a liaison between chapter leadership and International Directors
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
SEBNEM TUGCE PALA // REEF CONTACT // PROGRAMS@YPTRANSPORTATION.ORG YPT SAN FRANCISCO
Sebnem Tugce Pala is originally from Turkey. She has been living in the SF Bay Area, based in Berkeley, and working in the field of sustainable transportation since February 2016. Since August, She has been working for REEF Technology as the first unicorn startup of Miami. She is mostly focusing on identifying and tracking funding opportunities and focusing on their grant strategy, energy policy and energy policy partnerships.
She is currently serving both for the local and international board of YPT. She works as the Vice Chair for Programs- Sf Bay Area Chapter and as the Director of Programs for the International Board. She was referred to YPT by her former colleague at Spin Electric Scooters. She wholeheartedly believes that transportation is a great enabler and everybody should have access to equitable, accessible, safe and sustainable transportation. She would like to contribute to this vision through her important roles at YPT.
Sebnem likes traveling to exotic places, playing with clay and practicing yoga and meditation. Her favorite transportation modes are subways and trains, while her least transportation mode is driving. She does not own a vehicle 🙂 Her hidden talent is learning new languages, and she can speak seven languages. RESPONSIBILITIES
Plan/oversee events in conjunction with major conferences
Support chapter programming, especially when major conferences are held near chapters
Coordinate events with the Director of Finance and the Director of Membership
DIRECTOR OFCOMMUNICATIONS
ERIC TAURO // WSP CONTACT // INFO@YPTRANSPORTATION.ORG YPT NEW YORK CITY
Eric Tauro is an architectural designer in the Transportation Facilities Group (TFG) within Transportation & Infrastructure at WSP in New York City. He is primarily involved in the project design, development, and coordination within the Transportation building typology. His work experience consists of knowledge and design services ranging from American with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines, capacity improvements, building code/client standards, conceptual and design development, and visualization/3D model renderings. He has experience working with major NYC agencies, such as Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), New York City Transit (NYCT), Port Authority of NY & NJ, New Jersey Transit (NJT), and Long Island Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).
At WSP, Eric is currently the Vice Chair and previously Communications Chair of the Developing Professionals Network (DPN), an internal organization that is very similar to the opportunities and visions that YPT offers for young professionals to expand their knowledge and network. He is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects and a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, and has held collegiate positions in both organizations as Social/Communications Chair. Joining the YPT International Board of Directors is a fantastic opportunity to professionally grow within the transportation industry as a future leader who works well in a team environment.
Originally from California, Eric has a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona, and a Master of Architecture from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has a great passion for urban planning & design, architecture, sustainability, natural environments, and built ecologies. He also enjoys music, theater, photography, art, design, fashion, food and technology. During his free time, he likes traveling, hiking, photographing, cooking, singing, dancing, trying out different restaurants, experiencing different cultures, and exploring cities by foot or bicycle. RESPONSIBILITIES
Coordination of international communications
Development and distribution of official YPT International emails and newsletters
Website management and updates for all international chapters
Social media updates and management
Graphic Design
Development of Annual Report
DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION
NATALIYA PEKAR // ALTA PLANNING + DESIGN CONTACT // ADMIN@YPTRANSPORTATION.ORG YPT TORONTO RESPONSIBILITIES
Record minutes for all monthly board meetings
Oversee international awards and other major activities
Keep accurate records of the organization
Board of Advisors 2020-2022
YPT’s Board of Advisors are preeminent public and private sector leaders in transportation with a wide range of exemplary experience in the field. We are grateful for their participation and willingness to assist the development of a new generation of transportation professionals.
YPT has chapters in cities across the world. Choose from the chapters below to learn about YPT in your area. If you are interested in starting a chapter in your city and or country contact us at Chapters@yptransportation.org .
For more information on starting a new YPT Chapter click here.
YPT’s diversity of programming, events, publications and other opportunities is made possible through support from our annual Sponsors – firms and organizations within the transportation industry making a financial commitment to the development of the next generation of transportation professionals through their support. To learn more about becoming a Sponsor, please contact Sponsorship@yptransportation.org.
Becoming a YPT Sponsor
YPT’s vision is to become the preeminent professional development organization for emerging leaders in the transportation sector. Our members are the future of the global transportation community. Your generous support of our organization will ensure that you and your business will play a critical role in shaping a better transportation world for generations to come. YPT offers a number of exciting opportunities for you and your employees!
To view our Sponsorship Package, please click here.
If you would like to discuss benefits of Sponsorship, and how your company would like to get involved with YPT, please contact the Director of Sponsorship at Sponsorship@yptransportation.org.
2020 – 2021 Sponsors
*NEW* LEVEL ( To be announced soon!)
BRT LEVEL
BIKE LEVEL
CARPOOL
As a federally-recognized 501(c)(6) non-profit entity, contributions or gifts to YPT are not tax deductible as charitable contributions. However, they may be tax deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses.
Over the past month, YPT International advertised for submissions our first annual 2020 YPT TRB Young Members scholarship; a direct result of the generous support of Ford Mobility. Submissions were open from November 5th – 19th, to YPT Members in good standing, and responses were collected using Google Forms. This scholarship opportunity was advertised through our YPT website and e-mail newsletter, YPT social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn), and during YPT International and local YPT Chapter meetings.
Applicants were asked to commit to attending at least 20 hours of Conference Sessions & Exhibits during January 21–22 and 25–29. Each applicant was asked, “In 100 words or less, how will the YPT TRB Young Members scholarship help further your professional development?” Additional information, such as the applicant’s Chapter and whether or not the applicant’s employer offers a program that will pay for registration for conferences, was requested to help provide context for the selection committee. We are grateful for the time many of you contributed to selecting our first scholarship recipients.
11-submissions were received for this scholarship opportunity. 9-submissions were responsive (active YPT members in good standing) and were reviewed by a selection of YPT International Board of Advisors, YPT International Board Members, and YPT Chapter Members. 4 submissions were selected for their demonstration of need, current employment status, participation in their chapter, and commitment to attending the conference and writing up their experiences. For the seven applicants who were not selected, we offered a free year of YPT Membership as a sign of our gratitude for the effort they put forth in applying.
We are pleased to introduce our four scholarship recipients:
Morgan Hunlen,is a member of YPT Los Angeles, lives in Glendale California, and recently obtained contractual work with the Thrivance Group, where she will be assisting as a Planner and hopes to obtain formal employment soon as well.
Brianne Eby, is a member of YPT Washington D.C. where she serves as a Senior Policy Analyst at the Eno Center for Transportation.
Gabi Kappes, AICP, is a member of YPT Seattle, where she serves as a Transportation Planner III, Speed and Reliability, in the Capital Division at King County Metro Transit.
J. Swiderski, is a member of YPT Washington D.C. and a recent MURP graduate (Virginia Tech 2020), where they are seeking to serve communities by expanding safe places to walk, roll, scoot, bike, and ride transit.
BTS is currently hiring for several positions. For the positions immediately below, BTS has Direct Hire Authority:
NOTE: Direct Hire positions are not listed on USAJobs. Email resumes directly to BTSjobs@dot.gov
A leadingFreight Expertto transform the current Department of Transportation freight programs. (GS 13 – 14, direct hire authority for economics/statistics series)
A Modeler who can reimagine the current freight and economic models using the latest techniques in statistics, economics and/or data science (GS 12 – 14, direct hire authority for economics/statistics series)
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) seeks multiple outstanding statisticians to join our family. BTS is the Principal Federal Statistical Agency within the Department of Transportation (DOT), leading the department in data analytics, survey design, and data driven research. Mandated by congress, BTS provides independent, objective, comprehensive and relevant information to decision makers and the public on the extent and use of the Nations’ transportation systems, the system performance, and the systems impacts on society and the environment. The statisticians have opportunities to guide national surveys, lead research on statistical methodology to enhance data quality and usability, direct innovations to improve efficiency and timeliness of data collection and production, and represent BTS in various settings. Applications in all areas of statistics and data science are welcome. Individuals with experiences evaluating statistical programs, applying various statically methodologies to improve data collection and production, and having a strong research background are most desired.
These positions are telework eligible. BTS is located in the DOT Headquarters in Washington, DC.
To apply, submit your resume to BTSJobs@dot.gov and indicate which role you are applying for in the subject line. Direct hire authority allows BTS to hire outside of USAJobs.
We are accepting resumes on a rolling basis, for full consideration submit resumes no later than December 1, 2020.
For the positions below, please proceed through USAJobs:
A Cartographerwho will advance cartographic techniques appropriate for statistical analysis and create new map based products that clearly and innovatively convey transportation statistics (GS-12, apply for this position via USAJobs).
The Department of Transportation has been recognized as one of the top ten best places to work in the Federal Government, and the National Transportation Library is a great example of why.
Are you motivated by public service? Are you passionate about digital librarianship? The National Transportation Library is one of only four Federal libraries and, as a Reference Librarian, you will have the opportunity to lead a small reference team serving internal DOT clients as well as the external transportation research community at large.
Founded as an entirely digital library in 1998, and a leader in open access, the National Transportation Library exemplifies cutting edge data curation and delivery. Come join us in the nation’s capital. DOT Moves America! Set Your Career in Motion!
Congratulations to our winners! Our annual YPT Awards program was created to fill the void presented to young professionals in large, established transportation organizations. In the past we have only had two award categories two traditional award categories, the YPT Excellence in Innovation/Research Award and the YPT Project of the Year.
This year we are excited to launch the YPT Changemakers in Transportation to highlight several outstanding YPT members who are making a significant impact in the field of transportation.
YPT Changemakers in Transportation
Andrea Barbour, University of Tennessee – Knoxville – YPT Nashville
Andrea Barbour is the Special Projects Coordinator at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. Andrea has been working diligently for the last 3 years to complete Regional Rural Transportation Plans for all Rural Planning Organizations (RPO) in Tennessee. Andrea has been working to develop regional level plans for all the RPOs to ensure regional problems are being evaluated and addressed throughout the planning process rather than just focusing on local issues, as is the traditional approach. With this approach to rural planning, the members of our RPOs have been looking at transportation issues through a wider lens rather than just looking at the issues in their specific town/city. The first RPO Andrea worked with to develop a regional wide plan was the Dale Hollow RPO, one of the most economically distressed areas within the state. Through the planning process, Andrea was able to identify regional level recommendations to address transportation issues, but also create economic development opportunities through transportation initiatives. The Dale Hollow RPO and the counties within now have a long-range plan to assist them in prioritizing the transportation needs across the region and assist them in earning future grants through the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). Without the plan, the Dale Hollow RPO had little data to support the requests for transportation projects in the area. The impact she has made on the Dale Hollow RPO, and the other RPOs she is assisting, is undeniable.
Jasmine Richmond, American Public Transportation Association (APTA) – YPT DC
Jasmine Richmond works as the Educational Services Coordinator at American Public Transportation Association. Jasmine has extended the values of equitable, sustainable, and accessible transportation to hundreds of emerging leaders in the transit industry, students at all grade levels. She is always strategically building partnerships ranging from local schools to international youth development organizations to instill an appreciation and a curiosity in the transportation industry. Because of Jasmine’s work, APTA has extended its reach, and her programming and strategy has resulted in countless students, association members, and others deepening their interest and understanding of transportation, and setting up the industry to have more exposure and attract a diverse array of stakeholders and talent.
Margaret-Avis Akofio-Sowah, WSP USA – YPT DC
Dr. Margaret-Avis Akofio-Sowah is an infrastructure asset management consultant with experience in both the research and practical aspects of asset management. She has led projects to implement Federal asset management regulations at both transit and highways agencies and is a co-author of industry Asset Management Guides including the FTA Transit Asset Management Guide for Small Providers and the 2019 update of the AASHTO Transportation Asset Management Guide. As a result of her work, she has presented at several industry conferences including the TRB Annual Meeting and the TRB National Transportation Asset Management Conference. She has published peer-reviewed articles in notable journals, including the Transportation Research Record and the ASCE Journal of Infrastructure Systems. She is also a member of the TRB Standing Committees on Transportation Asset Management (AJE30) and Strategic Management (AJE10) and an Associate Member of the Institute of Asset Management. Margaret also currently serves as President of the Ghana Transportation Professionals Forum (GTPF), an organization of professionals originally from Ghana or with an interest in Ghana who are based outside the country.
YPT Transportation Project of the Year
IH 45 Segment 2B
Emily Weigand, Jacobs – YPT Austin
This project, titled “IH 45 Segment 2B” is the second and final proposed segment within the Central Walker County Project with the purpose to enhance freight mobility and address safety along the IH 45 corridor. The proposed changes will help meet current and future traffic needs resulting from increasing population growth and developmental trends in the region. In addition to the benefits discussed above, the project creates a route for hurricane evacuation.
YPT Excellence in Innovation/Research of the Year
Transit Blues in the Golden State: Analyzing Recent California Ridership Trends
Jacob Lawrence Wasserman, University of California, Los Angeles Institute of Transportation Studies – YPT Los Angeles
In 2020, the UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS) completed a comprehensive study of transit ridership trends in California and released two reports, one statewide, funded by the California Department of Transportation, and one on Bay Area trends, funded by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). This innovative work analyzed the ridership drop from all angles—including both supply-side and demand-side factors—to identify the factors most affecting transit use and the ways to best recover.
Additional team members who contributed to the report are: Andrew Schouten, Hannah King, Julene Paul, Madeline Ruvolo.
MASCO is seeking a talented and motivated Transportation Planner. This is an outstanding opportunity for a hands-on, multi-modal planner to contribute to transportation strategies, studies, and designs for the Longwood Medical and Academic Area (LMA), one of Boston’s busiest and most dynamic neighborhoods and an epicenter of innovation, culture, education and healthcare. The position also supervises one of the region’s first Transportation Management Associations (TMAs), CommuteWorks which provides innovative TDM programs to our twenty member institutions.
MASCO (Medical Academic Scientific Community Organization, Inc.) is a $36-million nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community in the Longwood Medical Area (LMA) for patients, residents, employees, students, and visitors. The LMA spans across 213 acres and is located just three miles southwest of downtown Boston.
The right candidate will be a highly motivated, mission- and values-driven planner who is committed to customer service, has an operational focus, and is able to manage sophisticated projects leveraging strong analytical and communications skills. This visible role requires successful stakeholder engagement and relationship management across a diverse constituency— from executives of world-renowned institutions, to public sector leaders, to area employees and residents.
Notable Responsibilities:
Serve as lead planner for master programming and technical assistance efforts designed to meet institutional needs for parking and multimodal transportation access.
Perform regional and district-level studies of transportation infrastructures to support emergency vehicle, patient, visitor and employee access needs.
Lead initiatives to improve walking, biking, transit, micro-mobility, shared mobility, and vehicular access.
Assist in implementation by working collaboratively with members and public agencies to achieve political support and funding.
Manage the work of transportation planners and engineers under contract.
Monitor governmental policies that may affect LMA’s transportation systems.
Assist in development of policy positions, advocacy strategies and materials presentation.
Manage staff and guide incentive program development and technical analysis for CommuteWorks, the LMA transportation management association (TMA).
Communicate transportation-related interests with several boards and serve as a liaison to transportation agencies at the local and state levels.
Work with other MASCO planners to incorporate aspects of the transportation systems with other LMA area plans.
Direct and perform field work and maintain databases to aid in transportation systems planning.
Required Qualifications (unless otherwise noted)
Bachelor’s degree in transportation planning or related field; master’s degree preferred.
Minimum eight years of experience working in transportation planning/engineering desired. Prior supervisory experience.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office software applications. Proficiency in CAD preferred.
Knowledge of city and state transportation project development, planning and funding processes.
Excellent analytical, presentation, verbal and written communication skills.
Strong proactive organizational skills.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Exhibit a ‘can-do’ attitude and flexible work style approach. Patience and flexibility to meet demands of a changing environment.
Ability to handle situations, issues and information with sound judgement, diplomacy and sensitivity.
Compensation and Benefits: Compensation is competitive based on experience. MASCO offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental coverage, a monthly MBTA pass subsidy or free off-site parking, 3 weeks of vacation, 12 paid holidays, flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, and a 401(k) retirement plan with a generous employer contribution.
Young Professionals in Transportation (YPT) is an international nonprofit coalition of organizations, which helps professional development, fellowship, and networking for young professionals in the transportation field.
As a result of COVID-19, young professionals have had reduced access to leading industry conferences due to event cancellations, budget reductions, travel restrictions, and social distancing. YPT International wants to support the professional development of young professionals by funding the 2021 TRB Young Professional registration fees for four YPT Members at a value of $245 per registration. The conference will be held virtually.
Disclaimer: the TRB Annual Meeting website defines that a Young Professional can register at a reduced rate if they are age 35 or younger at the time of the Annual Meeting (date of birth & ID required.) We will reimburse for this rate, however an active YPT Member who does not confirm to that definition can enter and would need to cover the difference between the Young Professional rate and the standard rate if selected.
