Lipscomb, Transit Alliance bring area leaders together to examine transit opportunities
Kim Chaudoin |
Responding to mass transit needs and options in Middle Tennessee, the Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee and Lipscomb University’s Nelson and Sue Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership have brought leaders from across the region together to examine transit opportunities as part of its third Transit Citizen Leadership Academy.
Nashville Mayor Karl Dean opened the new session of the Transit Citizen Leadership Academy Aug. 22, stressing the importance of this course of study.
“I thank you for your time and commitment over the coming weeks as we move forward in Nashville and as a region with real mass transit solutions,” said Dean. “Without action, we will be guaranteeing worse traffic congestion and choosing to put ourselves at an economic disadvantage to our peer cities.”
“The members of the third class of the Transit Citizen Leadership Academy are joining a growing group of academy alumnae who are leaders across all 10 counties of Middle Tennessee. These leaders, with the information and experiences shared at the academy, are an essential ingredient in the growing interest in creating new transit choices for all residents and visitors in our region,” said Ed Cole, executive director of the Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee.
The class includes 23 government, business and nonprofit leaders representing economic and community development, the military, finance, real estate, construction, government, technology, health care, banking, sales and marketing, agriculture and utilities. Participants were nominated by mayors and city managers throughout the region.
“We welcome our newest class of community leaders as they begin their exploration of mass transit needs and options,” said Linda Peek Schacht, executive director of the Andrews Institute. “Thriving communities depend on informed civic leaders working together for the common good. We at Lipscomb University are honored to continue our partnership with the Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee.”
The Transit Citizen Leadership Academy is a seven-session program that will explore a variety of topics including:
- Scanning the Landscape: A look at the historical, economic and social impact of transportation in the United States and in Tennessee.
- Understanding Current Reality: An exploration of Middle Tennessee’s transit system and the challenges we face.
- Identifying Models of Success: An analysis of the successes and failures of other communities facing a transit challenge.
- Evaluating the Options: An examination weighing value and cost of options for Middle Tennessee, informed by global best practices.
- Creating the Conversation: A design for facilitating conversations on transit options and opportunities.
- Engaging the Community: Identification and activation of community resources to support transit conversations.
- Moving Transit Options Forward: An individual leadership plan.
Sessions will be held at the Andrews Institute on the Lipscomb campus and at locations in Middle Tennessee that highlight factors related to the development of a mass transit system for the region.
About the Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee
The Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee is a nonprofit organization with the mission of encouraging private sector as well as public sector support for new investments in mass transit in the ten county region of Middle Tennessee. The alliance is committed to communicating the value of regional mass transportation needs and options. It fosters education across the region about the economic value of mass transit investments.Through these communication and education efforts, the Alliance will actively participate in the steps necessary to secure dedicated revenues for mass transit investments in the months and years ahead.
About the Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership
Founded in October 2010 to build on the legacy of Nashville leader Nelson Andrews, the Nelson and Sue Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership engages current and emerging leaders in programs to create thriving communities. The institute promotes and showcases government, business and nonprofit leaders working together for the common good and its programs provide for the study and practice of this collaborative civic leadership model. The institute’s programs include a Master’s in Civic Leadership, Citizen Leadership Academies and customized leadership classes and conferences for organizations like CABLE and leadership programs serving counties and cities throughout the state.
Members of the Third Class of the Transit Citizen Leadership Academy
Cheatham County: Chris Neese — Executive Director, Cheatham County Chamber of Commerce
Davidson County: Carrie Brumfield — Director of Programs, Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee; Hal B. Clark — Principal, Civil Site Design Group; Richard Courtney — Broker, French Christianson Patterson Courtney & Associates; Reverend Edward Steiner — Rector, Cathedral of the Incarnation
Dickson County: Tony Adams — Financial Advisor, Innovative Financial Group; Michael Curcio — Broker/Advisor, Benefits Inc.
Maury County: Kim Willis — President, Columbia Construction Co., Inc.
Montgomery County: Daniel Binkley — City Project Manager, City of Clarksville; Chris Goodman — Associate Principal, Civil Site Design Group; Nick Powell — County Engineer
Robertson County: Faye Stubblefield — Manager, Assistant Vice President, The Farmers Bank
Rutherford County: Rachel Bragg — Strategy and Technology Senior Manager, Dell Inc., Veronica Terrell — Senior Product Manager, Deloitte
Sumner County: Dr. Rick Orgain — Optometrist, Orgain Family Vision Care, Brenda Payne — President / CEO, Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce
Williamson County: Charles Carlisle — CEO, Bristol Development Group, H. Michael Hindman — President, H. Michael Hindman Architects, P.C., Hagan Stone — Realtor, Pilkerton Realtors, Mike Walker — City Manager, City of Brentwood
Wilson County: Steve Jessen — Realtor, Century 21/West Main Realty & Auction, Caleb Thorne — Chief Estimator/Marketing, Thorne’s Excavating Company, Colonel Steve Wilson — Retired, U.S. Army