Session 2C: Transportation Management Associations - Perspectives from across Pennsylvania

Session Description: In this session, you will hear from TMAs across Pennsylvania on a variety of projects and initiatives they are supporting for the transportation industry.

Moderator: Cecile Charlton, Delaware County TMA

• TMAs and Public Outreach for PennDOT Construction Projects, Lynn Manion, Executive Director, Airport Corridor Transportation Association
• Partnering with TMA’s as Mobility Choices Are Evolving, Rob Henry, Executive Director, Greater Valley Forge TMA
• Information Management = Anger Management: Preparing Communications for Local Projects, P. Timothy Phelps, Executive Director, Transportation Management Association of Chester County
• TMAs — Who We Are and What We Do, Peggy Schmidt, Executive Director, The Partnership TMA of Montgomery County

Speaker Bios:

Cecile Charlton has led the Delaware County Transportation Management Association as executive director for 18 years. As an established community and business leader, Cecile serves on a number of boards including Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, Community Transit of Delaware County, and Values into Action. Cecile is the recipient of the Delaware County Chamber’s ATHENA Award, given annually to an outstanding woman in business. In addition, she received the Spirit of Excellence Award from the Delaware County Friends of The Women’s Commission. Cecile has served on Congressman Pat Meehan’s U.S. Military Academy Selection Committee, and was also chosen to be a civilian member of the National Security Seminar at the U. S. Army War College. Cecile is a lifelong Delaware County resident, and graduate of St. Joseph’s University.

Lynn Manion is the executive director of the Airport Corridor Transportation Association (ACTA) in Pittsburgh. ACTA’s mission is to optimize the use of the transportation system in the airport corridor by supporting and implementing strategies to reduce congestion, improve air quality, increase travel options, and support responsible economic growth. ACTA’s major programs include the RideACTA shuttle, WalkPittsburgh, and public outreach for PennDOT construction projects. ACTA also built the Super Stop at IKEA and created the first on-road bike map for the airport corridor. Lynn holds a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the School of Architecture and Environmental Design at the University of Texas.

Rob Henry is the executive director of GVF, which is a not-for-profit transportation management association located in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Under his leadership, GVF has received numerous local, regional, and national awards. He has been with GVF since 1999 and manages GVF’s daily activities, which include but are not limited to, over 130 paying members, transportation coalitions, task forces, shuttle systems, websites, and many other projects. Rob has a bachelor’s degree in marketing.

P. Timothy Phelps is the executive director of the Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC). Since joining TMACC in 2012, Tim has been defining its mission through multi-modal educational programing, enhancing the vision by creating more community engagement, and growing the organization with business partners with common transportation issues: congestion mitigation, improved air quality, and access for all. He is a graduate of Juniata College and the William Penn Charter School.

Peggy Schmidt has served as the executive director of the Partnership TMA of Montgomery County in Pennsylvania for 19 years. Under her leadership, the PTMA has implemented fixed-route bus systems, last-mile connectors, bike share programs, and an award-winning construction coordination program; assisted municipalities in livable community plans; provided travel training to seniors and students with disabilities; and taught pedestrian and bicycle safety programs for all ages. She hosts a monthly radio program on transportation and land use topics. In her spare time, she is the president of Ghost Tours of America and the author of two best-selling ghost books. She has been featured on Discovery Channel’s “Unexplained Files – Bridge of Death” and on the Animal Plant web video – “Small Dogs, Big Job – Pixie the Ghost Hunting Dog.”