Community Streetcar Coalition names new executive committee

The Community Streetcar Coalition (CSC) announces its executive committee and eight new board members who will serve two-year terms with the organization.

“I am excited to serve as chair of the CSC as communities begin to recognize that offering a variety of mobility options positively impacts economic vitality,” said Incoming Chair Adelee Le Grand of New Orleans. “Streetcars play a significant role in providing mobility, improving quality of life, and generating economic activity. CSC is committed to helping communities realize the benefits of streetcars.”

In Le Grand’s current role as a VP at Transdev and chief strategy officer in service to the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, she is responsible for identifying solutions to address the access and mobility challenges facing the New Orleans region. She executes her vision by developing and communicating strategies into actionable plans that will guide the implementation of community-specific solutions. In 2017, Le Grand delivered the first strategic mobility plan for the Regional Transit Authority in New Orleans that will serve as a roadmap for the next 20 years.

Sherri McIntyre begins her term as CSC’s vice chair, and is the assistant city manager and director of Public Works in Kansas City, Mo. Under McIntyre’s leadership, Kansas City successfully constructed a premier streetcar system that launched on May 6, 2016, delivered on time and under budget. Since then, the KC Streetcar has resulted in more than $3 billion in economic development within the streetcar Transportation Development District and will celebrate five million rides this fall. McIntyre has a strong background in transportation and municipal infrastructure

Ethan Melone assumes the role of CSC treasurer. Melone resides in Seattle and is a principal project manager and streetcar practice leader with Parsons. Prior to joining Parsons in 2016, Melone managed the streetcar program for the City of Seattle, where he was responsible for all aspects of design, funding, construction, and start-up of the Seattle Streetcar’s two operational lines and planning for future extensions.

Serving as immediate past chair, D.J. Baxter currently resides in Salt Lake City and is a partner and project manager at Shiels Obletz Johnsen Inc., where he is currently supporting public agency real estate and streetcar development projects across the country.

Eight new board members on the CSC Management Committee were named after members made nominations in spring. Their names, titles, and organizations are listed below:

• Brian Hawkins, Director of Business Development, Siemens
• Kwadwo Atta, Division Manager, SNC Lavalin
• Gerald Francis, President, Keolis
• Stan Feinsod, Development Manager, Transit Systems Engineering, Inc.
• Terry Nash, Associate Vice President of Rail and Transit, HNTB
• Andrew Plambeck, Public Affairs Manager, Portland Streetcar Inc.
• Jon Schlegel, Project Development Director, Herzog Transit Services
• Gina Thomas, Project Manager, HDR