2025 FPTA/FDOT/CUTR PDW & Transit Safety and Operations Summit: Full Schedule

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8:00am EDT

Shared Use Session

Wednesday June 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:45am EDT

The shared mobility service model offers an effective and efficient solution to one of the transit industry’s long-standing challenges: meeting demand amid limited resources. As more transit agencies explore options such as microtransit or partnerships with transportation network companies (TNCs), they will need the most current, objective, and innovative data and information. If you want to learn about best practices, lessons learned, and the latest developments in shared-use mobility in Florida, this interactive session is a must!

Speakers

Lamar Hobbs

Transit Program Administrator, Bayway

Lamar Hobbs is the Transit Program Administrator of the Bay County Board of County Commissioner’s Transit Department. Having worked in public service for more than 25 years, Lamar’s vast experience coordinating and leading administrative and operational functions has allowed him... Read More →

Victoria Perk

Program Director, Transit Research Program, CUTR

MA, Economics, University of South Florida, 1993, BA, Economics, Eckerd College, 1992. Specialties: transportation economics, transit system performance analysis, transit development plans, transit service planning, survey design and analysis, statistical analysis.

Jessica Keller

Mobility & Transportation Manager, City of West Palm Beach

Jessica Keller is the Mobility and Transportation Manager at the City of West Palm Beach. She is an accomplished professional with over two decades of experience in public and private sector policy, planning, engineering, and operations management. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland... Read More →

Wednesday June 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:45am EDT
Cypress Room

Panel Discussion

8:00am EDT

Small and Rural Transit Agencies Roundtable: Insights into Rural Social Media Engagement

Wednesday June 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:45am EDT

Salons F & G

This session will feature a roundtable format to discuss a variety of challenges and successes encountered by small and rural transit agencies. During this session, a presentation will examine the strategic use of sponsored social media advertising to gather feedback on potential expanded transit services in rural Jackson County. Attendees will gain insights into campaign design, as well as targeting and engagement metrics. A comparison of engagement levels with urban communities in Florida will highlight the unique challenges and opportunities of rural outreach. TRIPS staff will be available to answer questions about vehicles. Attendees are encouraged to bring their questions and issues to share with the moderator, presenters, and their peers.

Moderators

Stephanie Lewis

Workforce Development Project Manager, USF/CUTR

Stephanie Lewis, M.Ed., is currently a Workforce Development Project Manager and Instructional Designer at the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida. She has a wide range of skills in online and instructor led course development, webinar coordination... Read More →

Speakers

Carlton Allen

TRIPS Program Manager, CUTR

Carlton Allen is the TRIPS Program Manager and is assigned to the FDOT Springhill Inspection and research facility in Tallahassee. He has worked for the Center for Urban Transportation Research for 15 years. Carlton also interacts with engineering related to crashworthiness testing... Read More →

Jason Jackman

Senior Research Associate, Center for Urban Transportation Research

I've been working with some amazing CUTR people on several Transit Development Plans, specifically the Public Involvement Plan(s).

Wednesday June 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:45am EDT
Salons F & G

Roundtable

8:00am EDT

TBEST 5.0 – FDOT's Transit Planning Tool

Wednesday June 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:45am EDT

Magnolia Room

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Public Transit Office has developed the Transit Boardings Estimation Simulation Tool (TBEST) as a multi-faceted GIS-based modeling, planning, and analysis software toolset which integrates socio-economic, land use, and transit network data into a unique platform for scenario-based transit ridership estimation and analysis. Public transportation agencies utilize TBEST to support a variety of planning applications including 10-year strategic Transit Development Plans (TDPs), FTA-required Title VI analysis and reporting, socio-economic market analysis, transit network accessibility, Mobility on Demand analysis, grant applications, and many additional service and strategic planning workflows. This session will review the recent improvements within the TBEST 5.0 release and provide guidance on TBEST 5.0 implementation and utilization.

Speakers

Rodney Bunner

TBEST Program Manager, ServiceEdge Solutions

Rodney Bunner is the Principal and Transportation Solutions Manager at ServiceEdge Solutions where he specializes in developing transportation-specific software applications including the FDOT TBEST Transit Planning software. Rodney received a B.A. in Geography from West Virginia... Read More →

Wednesday June 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:45am EDT
Magnolia Room

Training

8:00am EDT

Cultivating Well-Being in Transit—Stress Management, Work-Life Balance & Mental Health

Wednesday June 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:45am EDT

Salons A - C

Join us for an interactive session focused on fostering a healthier, more balanced workplace in the transit industry. From managing daily stress to achieving work-life harmony, we’ll explore practical strategies to support employee well-being. Participants will engage in guided stretching and breathing exercises, gain actionable tips for reducing workplace stress, and learn about successful initiatives we’ve implemented, such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), "Snack & Learns," monthly massages, and our "Unwind Your Mind" week featuring expert speakers, yoga, and mindfulness activities. Walk away with fresh ideas to enhance well-being in your organization and create a more supportive work environment for your employees.

Speakers

Tamika White

Sr Organizational Development Manager, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority

Dr. Tamika Gunn White is the Deputy Director of Talent Management at the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA). She oversees recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, professional development, and strategic organizational initiatives that support culture, engagement, and performance.Dr... Read More →

Patricia Collins

Director of HR, PSTA

Trish Collins has been in the Human Resources field for 25 years, first in the IT and manufacturing industries, and then, since 2012 at Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. She serves as PSTA’s Director of Human Resources and EEO Officer, leading the agency’s talent management... Read More →

Carla Byrd

Senior Manager of HR, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority

Carla Byrd is a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) with over 15 years of experience in Human Resources, including extensive time in both the private and public sectors. She joined the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) 3.5 years ago as an HR Associate, quickly advancing... Read More →

Wednesday June 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:45am EDT
Salons A - C

Workshop

10:00am EDT

Transit Vehicle Automation

Wednesday June 11, 2025 10:00am - 11:45am EDT

Cypress Room

Transit automation technologies have the potential to improve safety, reduce operating costs, and increase convenience of the transit service. An increasing number of transit providers nationwide continue testing and demonstrating passenger vehicles with high levels of automation. Yet, these technologies still face challenges with ensuring adequate safety in all operating conditions, achieving public acceptance, overcoming legal and regulatory obstacles, and other issues. Transportation professionals continue debating when transit automation technologies will see widespread market adoption and what impact they will have on transportation costs, workforce development, urban planning, and overall travel behavior. This session will cover the latest developments in automated transit in Florida, including the review of the best practices and lessons learned from recent deployments, as well as the discussion of the existing challenges and obstacles to practical AV implementation in transit service.

Speakers

Alexander Kolpakov

Senior Research Associate, CUTR/USF

Alexander Kolpakov is a senior research associate at the Center for Urban Transportation Research, University of South Florida (CUTR). During his 21 years with CUTR, Mr. Kolpakov has been managing a wide variety of transportation-related research projects, focusing primarily on evaluating... Read More →

Brandon Corsentino

Sales Executive, Beep

Brandon Corsentino oversees the US East market for Beep, the leading service provider for autonomous shuttles. Brandon’s previous experience includes work in the non-profit and automotive industry. In his role, Brandon leads his team’s relations with transit authorities, master... Read More →

Gustavo Castro

City of Orlando

Gus Castro – City of Orlando Transportation Projects CoordinatorGus is an urban visionary with vast work experience in transportation studies, traffic/transit operations, forecasting, mobility policies, project management, developments review, and data analyses. He has represented... Read More →

Carlos Cruz-Casas

VP of Mobility Innovation, TYLin | City Solutions

For over 17 years, Carlos Cruz-Casas has been a driving force in urban mobility, delivering transformative projects in both public and private sectors. From pioneering innovative mobility solutions to leading complex bus network redesigns, he consistently improves operational efficiency... Read More →

Wednesday June 11, 2025 10:00am - 11:45am EDT
Cypress Room

Panel Discussion

10:00am EDT

Transit Development Plan (TDP): Rule, Process, and Guidance Updates

Wednesday June 11, 2025 10:00am - 11:45am EDT

Salons F & G

In this session, participants will learn about current updates on the Transit Development Plan (TDP), including, but not limited to, information on the current Rule, highlights of the 2025 TDP submittals, future TDP submittals, new handbook highlights, upcoming workshops, and open discussion on the most pressing issues related to the TDP.

Speakers

Martin Catala

Program Director, TMI, Center for Urban Transportation Research/USF

Martin Catala is the Program Director of the Transit Management and Innovation Group at the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida. With over 28 years at CUTR, he specializes in public transportation performance evaluation, innovative mobility... Read More →

Jonathan Roberson

Research Associate, Center for Urban Transportation Research/USF

Jonathan Roberson, AICP, is currently a Research Associate with the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation (CUTR). Jonathan has over twenty years of expertise in transit planning and project implementation, including leadership positions at Manatee County... Read More →

Kayla Huetten

Planner, Benesch

Kayla Huetten holds a Master of Urban & Regional Planning from the University of South Florida and a B.S. in Sustainability in the Built Environment from the University of Florida. Currently a Senior Planner at Benesch, Kayla specializes in transit planning with an emphasis on accessibility... Read More →

Wednesday June 11, 2025 10:00am - 11:45am EDT
Salons F & G

Presentation

10:00am EDT

Understanding CTD’s Annual Operating Report: Submission Guidelines and Clarifications

Wednesday June 11, 2025 10:00am - 11:45am EDT

Magnolia Room

With the September 15th reporting deadline fast approaching, we invite CTCs to join us for an informative session where we will review the requirements for the Annual Operating Report. We’ll walk through the data collection system and provide guidance on what information should be included. You are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to share your thoughts, ask questions, and gain the clarifications you need.

Speakers

Sheri Powers

Project Manager, Commission for Transportation Disadvantaged

Project Manager | Florida Commission for the Transportation DisadvantagedDriven by a commitment to public service, Sheri Powers has over 30 years of experience in state government, including roles in emergency management and transportation. She currently serves as Project Manager... Read More →

Dan Zeruto

Commision for Transportation Disadvantage

Daniel Zeruto is a Project Manager with the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged, where he has worked since 2011. With over 25 years of experience in management, he oversees the Commission’s Data Collection System and plays a key role in compiling the Annual Performance... Read More →

Wednesday June 11, 2025 10:00am - 11:45am EDT
Magnolia Room

Presentation

10:00am EDT

Compliance Q & A Session

Wednesday June 11, 2025 10:00am - 11:45am EDT

Salons A - C

If you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers! But only regarding compliance reviews – we can’t solve all the world's problems…but when it comes to compliance, we’ve got resources for you. Join us for this Q&A session and get answers to all your burning questions.

Speakers

Dean Kirkland-McMillan

Compliance and Oversight Manager, University of South Florida

Mrs. “Dean” Kirkland-McMillan, Compliance and Oversight ManagerDean has been involved in public transportation for over 35 years Dean has held many positions in the transit industry including Bus Operator, Operations Manager, Executive Director, Safety Security Director, and Revenue... Read More →

Laurie Zeruto

Program Oversight Supervisor, CUTR

Laurie has worked in the transit industry for 23 years. Earning her Masters in Social Work from Florida State University, Laurie’s career in transportation began at the Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged. In 2018 Laurie joined the CUTR Compliance Oversight and Technical... Read More →

Wednesday June 11, 2025 10:00am - 11:45am EDT
Salons A - C

Training

12:00pm EDT

General Session Luncheon Program (pre-registration required) – Statewide Educational Campaign

Wednesday June 11, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

Salons D & E

As the workshop draws to a close, join us for the final common session. In addition to delicious food, this will provide a great opportunity to relax and network with your peers. Please join us for an exciting presentation from Lisa Bacot. She will provide an overview of the Florida Public Transportation Association’s comprehensive Statewide Educational Campaign aimed at promoting public transportation across Florida. The campaign ran in the spring of this year and was an effort to improve the perception of public transportation to the general public and legislative leaders. The lunch presentation will cover specific information, sample ads from the campaign, and demonstrate the tremendous results.

Speakers

Stephanie Lewis

Workforce Development Project Manager, USF/CUTR

Lisa Bacot

Executive Director, FPTA

Wednesday June 11, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Salons D & E

Lunch

1:15pm EDT

Emergency Management Strategies for Transit

Wednesday June 11, 2025 1:15pm - 3:00pm EDT

Salons F & G

This interactive workshop provides a comprehensive guide to transit agency preparedness for major storm events. We will review key emergency management functions as they pertain to transit, analyze case studies from recent storms, and explore strategies for effective pre-storm planning, real-time response, and post-storm recovery. Participants will learn how to accurately document activities, maintain seamless communication with FDOT districts, and access essential resources, including fuel and support, to ensure operational continuity and community assistance.

Speakers

Gennaro Saliceto

Transportation Safety and Security Specialist, Center for Urban Transportation Research

Gennaro Saliceto is a Transportation Safety and Security Specialist and member of Transit Safety and Workforce Development at the Center for Urban Transportation Research at USF. He collaborates on FDOT funded programs to provide training and technical assistance to Florida agencies... Read More →

Paul Goyette

Project Manager, CUTR

Paul Goyette served as the Deputy Director for Lee County Transit in Fort Myers, Florida for several years. With over 25 years of public transportation experience, Paul conveyed a cohesive leadership style to the employees at Lee Tran to support a cross-functional and efficient transit... Read More →

Wednesday June 11, 2025 1:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
Salons F & G

Training

1:15pm EDT

Mastering Transit Policy Development

Wednesday June 11, 2025 1:15pm - 3:00pm EDT

Salons A - C

This session will equip transit professionals with the essential skills and knowledge to develop and maintain robust agency policies that meet the requirements of Rule 14-90, Florida Administrative Code. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the critical role documentation plays in the transit industry. A focus will be on the development and implementation of effective agency policies. Attendees are encouraged to bring in a policy for review and feedback.

Speakers

Roberta Yegidis

Affiliate Faculty, CUTR

Wednesday June 11, 2025 1:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
Salons A - C

Training

1:15pm EDT

TILE Orientation (Cohort 4) (by invite only)

Wednesday June 11, 2025 1:15pm - 3:00pm EDT

Cypress Room

Speakers

Tony Brandin

Central Office Transit Operations Manager, FDOT

Tony Brandin serves as the State Transit Operations Manager at the Florida Department of Transportation in Tallahassee. Working in coordination with the Center for Urban Transportation Research, Lively Paratransit Instructional Program, and the Crashworthiness and Impact Analysis... Read More →

Stephanie Lewis

Workforce Development Project Manager, USF/CUTR

Tamika White

Sr Organizational Development Manager, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority

Liliane Finke

President, ExecuCoach360 Training and Consulting, LLC

Dr. Liliane M. Finke, Ed.D., ExecuCoach360 PresidentAs a leadership development consultant, Dr. Liliane M. Finke offers over 25 years of experience in both the public and private sectors and is a seasoned professional with a strong vision and mission to initiate a positive impact... Read More →

Wednesday June 11, 2025 1:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
Cypress Room

Training

1:15pm EDT

Florida DOT Central and District Office Meeting (FDOT Staff Only)

Wednesday June 11, 2025 1:15pm - 5:00pm EDT

Magnolia Room

Wednesday June 11, 2025 1:15pm - 5:00pm EDT
Magnolia Room

Meeting

2025 FPTA/FDOT/CUTR PDW & Transit Safety and Operations Summit