About
As a geographer with a passion for improving government, I serve as director of operations at ETA Transit, where I work to bridge the gap between public and private sector approaches. My singular mission is to create public services that are more responsive to community needs and resilient in the face of challenges. I co-host the Stop Requested podcast and am building Govtechnocrat, a platform dedicated to advancing the govtech community.
Education & Early Inspiration
I hold dual BAs in Geography and Spanish from Arkansas State University, and an MS in Geography from the University of North Texas, where I focused on urban geography, sustainable transportation, and international development. My academic journey included studying abroad in Spain and serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and President of Gamma Theta Upsilon, the geographic honor society. My graduate research was recognized with a first-place paper at the Southwest Division of the American Association of Geographers.
Professional Journey
My career began with planning internships at the City of Jonesboro and the City of Frisco, where I worked on downtown planning and development review. In October 2015, I joined LeeTran in Lee County, Florida, as a Transit Planner. Over five years, I advanced to Senior Transit Planner and then Transit Planning Manager, leading projects such as GTFS onboarding, securing $4.4 million in state grants, and developing the "Evolve" 2021–2030 Transit Development Plan.
I then served as Transit Planning Director and EEO Officer at Palm Tran in West Palm Beach, managing a seven-person team, overseeing a 32-route bus service with $105 million in annual expenditures, developing the "Accelerate 2031" Transit Development Plan, and ensuring EEO compliance for over 500 employees.
Bridging Government and Technology
My path took an exciting turn when I moved to ETA Transit, first as Product Manager and now as Director of Operations. There, I launched Tally, our NTD surveying software, using Agile development methodologies, and now manage a team spanning hardware engineering, purchasing, inventory, project management, and field services. This experience has shown me that the best technology solutions emerge when you understand both government and vendor perspectives.
Projects & Community
As co-host of the Stop Requested podcast, I'm passionate about the intersection of government and technology. I'm currently building Govtechnocrat, a specialized job platform and newsletter serving the govtech community. At ETA Transit, I continue developing innovative software solutions for the transportation sector, including Transitbase—a SaaS platform that enables transit agencies to benchmark and optimize their performance.
Over the years, my passion for transit technology led me to create several platforms:
- Transitography: Blog and Instagram account documenting transit systems
- Busquero: Website cataloging Latin American transit options
- Transit Thinkers: Community forum for transit professionals
- Transit Grants: Website making federal grant data more accessible
- Transitways: Website listing transit agency jobs
Recognition & Commitment
I've been honored to participate in industry programs such as Mass Transit magazine’s 40 Under 40, the American Public Transportation Association’s Emerging Leaders Program, and the Florida Public Transportation Association’s Leadership Program. I also hold a Certified Public Manager credential.
My Mission
I believe government can work better when we bridge the gap between public sector needs and private sector solutions. My goal is to help create more responsive and resilient public services, leveraging my experience on both sides of the government-vendor relationship.
Want to connect?
Read my Mass Transit 40 Under 40 interview or find me on LinkedIn.