MxV Rail’s Jeffrey Bennett will be moderating the 2022 Transit State of Good Repair Conference Keynote: Accelerating Renewal and Modernization of Transit.
The keynote will feature Holly Arnold, Administrator and CEO, Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration and Jamie Torres-Springer, President, MTA Construction & Development.
From this year’s event website: Transit state of good repair (SGR) and transit asset management (TAM) are in the spotlight with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed. The Act appears to allocate nearly USD23 billion in SGR funding and overall funding of USD108 billion to modernize transit systems. The government has recognized a repair backlog of USD105 billion and the need to replace 24,000 buses and 5,000 rail cars, re-develop 200 transit and rail stations, and modernize tracks, signals and power systems. With the new funding in place, transit agencies are expected to strengthen the focus on SGR and TAM, deploy new technologies and leverage data for effective asset management, train workforce and emphasize organizational capacity development, and undertake lifecycle analysis. This will enable transit agencies to manage risk, minimize costs, and maximize the performance of assets as well as operate transit systems safely, efficiently, reliably, and sustainably.
To continue the discussion on SGR and TAM, Global Mass Transit is organizing the Tenth Edition of the Transit State of Good Repair conference on March 09-10, 2022 at JW Marriott Washington, DC.
Ms. Holly Arnold Administrator & CEO, MDOT MTA
Ms. Arnold has an extensive background in managing and implementing transportation projects, with both public- and private-sector experience in the transit industry. In June 2021, she was appointed Administrator of the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA). In this role, she oversees the thirteenth largest transit system in America, managing six modes—local bus, Metro SubwayLink, Light RailLink, mobility paratransit services, commuter bus, and the MARC Train Service—with an annual operating budget of USD900 million and a six-year capital budget of over USD3 billion. She also oversees the construction of the Purple Line, a new, 16-mile light rail line outside of Washington, DC, currently the largest transit public–private partnership (P3) in the nation.
Ms. Arnold has been with MDOT MTA since 2012, working as the Capital Program Manager; Director of Planning and Programming; and Deputy Administrator/Chief Planning, Programming, and Engineering Officer. She oversaw all aspects of the agency’s USD3 billion six-year capital program, from project planning to construction. In her time at MDOT MTA, Ms. Arnold has led the development of the Central Maryland Regional Transit Plan and Cornerstone Plans for each mode, successfully applied for over USD80 million in federal grants, spearheaded the agency’s asset management program, and overseen the creation of the agency’s transit-oriented development design guidelines and station area concepts.
Ms. Arnold is a 2017 graduate of the Leadership APTA program, was recognized in 2018 as a Top 40 Under 40 transit professional in Mass Transit Magazine, and was a 2019 40 Under 40 honoree in the Baltimore Business Journal. She holds an undergraduate degree from Duquesne University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.
Mr. Jamie Torres-Springer President, MTA Construction & Development
Mr. Torres-Springer joined the MTA in 2021 as President of MTA Construction & Development and Chief Development Officer. He is responsible for better, faster, and cheaper delivery of the MTA’s USD55 billion capital plan through innovative management of construction work for subways, buses, commuter railroads, bridges, and tunnels.
Prior to joining the MTA, Mr. Torres-Springer served as Commissioner of New York City’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC), the agency responsible for delivering infrastructure and facilities across the New York City government. He led the development and implementation of DDC’s Strategic Blueprint for Construction Excellence, a comprehensive plan to streamline capital project delivery, and had a leading role in several programs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York City’s adaptation to climate change, and reform of the criminal justice system. Prior to DDC, he led a national planning practice working on urban infrastructure, open space, and citywide strategic plans for inclusive growth and sustainability.
Jeffrey Bennett Director of Business Development, Passenger & Emerging Technologies
Jeffrey Bennett leads passenger railroading and emerging technologies efforts for MxV Rail’s business development team. In this role, Bennett worked with leading providers, such as commuter railroad MBTA, space company Blue Origin, autonomous freight company Parallel Systems, and hyperloop developer Swisspod. Previously, he led the District of Columbia Department of Transportation as the head of the transit division. In this role, he was responsible for the DC Streetcar Rail System and DC Circulator Bus System. Additionally, Bennett served as President of the Washington D.C. Chapter of Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, as well as the President and State Coordinator of DC Operation Lifesaver.
Before this, Bennett served as Denton County Transportation Authority’s (DCTA) Assistant Vice President of Rail Operations. At DCTA, Bennett was responsible for bus and rail operations, maintenance, safety, security, and infrastructure capital projects. Bennett led DCTA’s positive train control infrastructure capital project, and managed the rail operations and maintenance contract, valued at $198 million. Prior to DCTA, Bennett served as an Operations Manager for Keolis Rail Services Virginia, supporting the Virginia Railway Express commuter railroad. Bennett started his career as a Terminal Trainmaster at Norfolk Southern.
Mr. Bennett received Mass Transit Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 Award in 2017, Progressive Railroading Magazine’s Rising Star Award in 2018, and International Transportation & Automotive Summit’s Top 100 Leaders in Transportation and Automotive Award in 2021. Bennett received a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce, and a Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Military Institute.
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