People Behind the Plan
Creating the long-range Metropolitan Transportation Plan for the Dallas-Fort Worth region is a collective effort requiring participation from multiple program areas at NCTCOG. Meet a few of our multitalented team members behind the mobility plan by clicking the names below.
What is your role at NCTCOG?
I'm a principal transportation planner, working on the Dallas-Fort Worth region's long-range transportation plan.
What inspired you to pursue a career in transportation planning?
For a class in college, I had to identify a community issue and write about it. I noticed that in my hometown sidewalks were incomplete or missing, and things seemed built too far away from homes to walk. This led to my path of studying transportation so I could go into planning.
Which aspects of your work have you found most rewarding?
I have loved the creativity and policy strategy that is part of planning. Often I get to design graphics to communicate complex processes or concepts, which is a challenge but so rewarding to see the completed effort. I also love the project management side of things: setting up structures for success and trying to solve the community's pressing issues.
What interest or activities do you enjoy outside of work?
I enjoy traveling, seeing new places and different architecture, and seeing different ways places all over the world choose to develop and organize themselves. I also love art and being outdoors in the wind and sun.
What is your role at NCTCOG?
Program Manager of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan team.
What inspired you to pursue a career in transportation planning?
I have always been fascinated by the role transportation plays in how a city grows and develops. Sim City was my first taste of this, and I've been hooked ever since.
Why did you choose this field?
I enjoy being a part of a team that values a comprehensive look at the issues faced in transportation to find a context-sensitive solution for each project. Developing an orchestrated system of improvements does not occur by accident; I appreciate seeing the countless hours of planning, designing, and developing projects come to fruition through our local government and transportation partners.
What do you like to do for fun?
Outside of work, my little boys keep me busy reading them books, playing outside, and all the other activities that start with "Daddy, watch this!" My wife and I enjoy the occasional kid-free night where we seek out new restaurants anywhere in the metroplex (and I mean anywhere).
What is your role at NCTCOG?
Communications Supervisor of the Public Inolvement team.
What inspired you to choose a career in Public Involvement?
I've always been interested in writing and photography and knew from a pretty young age I wanted to have a career in communications. When I finished my graduate program, I was hired as an account executive at a public sector PR firm. It was then I realized I wanted to use my communications skills to have a meaningful impact in my community and beyond.
Which aspects of your work have you found most rewarding?
Everything we strive to accomplish at NCTCOG centers around building and maintaining relationships with people. I love traveling around the region and meeting North Texans. I also enjoy mentoring staff and watching them learn and grow in their careers. There is no greater feeling than knowing you've helped someone succeed.
What interest or activities do you enjoy outside of work?
Reading, baking, movies, travel, antique malls, American history, psychology and sociology. I also enjoy spending time with my family in rural Virginia.
What is your role at NCTCOG?
Transportation Planner on the Transportation Technology and Innovation Program (TTIP).
What inspired you to pursue a career in transportation planning?
My role in transportation comes from a unique perspective. I was initially hired to solely tackle an emerging topic known as "broadband as transportation" or, more known as, creating equal access to the internet as a mode of transportation. Spurred from the COVID-19 pandemic, remote "travel" via the internet became a basic need for individuals to participate in workforce, education, commerce, healthcare, you name it. It is my passion for digital equity that got me into the world of transportation planning. Now, while I still heavily focus on broadband planning, I get to manage projects related to other innovative modes of transportation as well. These modes include automated vehicle travel and service delivery, safety initiatives through quality and real-time work zone data reporting, and situational awareness apps that leverage AI to better monitor roadways. Those are just a few of the initiatives that I get to lead for the region and there will be many more to come.
Which aspects of your work have you found most rewarding?
Working as a transportation planner within the NCTCOG region has allowed me to meet with and create projects that support diverse communities of all geographic, social, and economic conditions. As a dedicated public servant, being able to fund those projects that have positive impact on community issues that I am determined to solve means the world and a half. It is so rewarding to watch an idea shape into a project and then witness an underserved community reap the benefits.
What interest or activities do you enjoy outside of work?
I've moved around the country a lot, so I have accepted for myself the mentality of "everything and everywhere" for all interests. I may not be a Dallas-Fort Worth region native, but I have been here for a few years and have loved taking the time to learn about the cultural differences between each city and town. I love to explore the outdoors just as much as I love to explore the urban centers. Volunteering helps to see the core of these communities and it is something that I remain passionate about in any location I that I reside.
What is your role at NCTCOG?
I am on the Transit Management & Planning team where we collaborate with local governments and public transportation providers on short-term transit planning, funding, and operations - including our smaller agencies providing services in both urban and rural areas. Within Transit, I focus on our mobility management efforts such as: helping identify transit gaps, coordinating regional resources, and promoting partnerships with governments, transit providers, and stakeholders in order to serve the transportation needs of the region.
What inspired you to pursue a career in transit planning?
I eventually found transportation planning, but I actually studied Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies and Public Policy. I've always wanted to make an impact and have been interested in how communities are connected and empowered. Also, as a Mexican-American, I wanted to better understand how policies and programs impact various communities, so I began looking into equity issues around early education, parent engagement, and affordable housing policies. My interest in transportation stems from my passion to support inclusive communities and after spending time working around community development - I began to see how all these things are interconnected and shape the experience we have in our world. I truly believe access to transportation is crucial for our local communities as it links individuals to employment opportunities, healthcare, social services, and overall improves people's quality of life.
Which aspects of your work have you found most rewarding?
As someone who didn't have a car until after college and grew up with a parent who doesn't drive, access to public transportation and walkable communities has always been important to me. I love being able to work with partners across to the region to find ways to make our region more connected and implement projects that offer people more options on how to travel in their daily life. Also, I grew up in North Texas, so the best part of my work is being to help improve mobility options here at home.
What interest or activities do you enjoy outside of work?
Depends on the season! Starting in the fall I'm usually watching NFL games - I love listening to all the stats and analysis and seeing how predictions turnout during games days. Come spring and summer I love catching live shows from my favorite bands and getting to spend time the extra sunlight hours outside with family and my dog Kona.
What is your role at NCTCOG?
Communications Specialist on the Public Involvement team.
What inspired you to pursue a career in Public Involvement?
My degrees are both in Political Science, and I learned the value of public participation throughout my education. In my personal life, I try to be involved in my community and local government, and that has inspired me to help others become more involved as well.
Which aspects of your work have you found most rewarding?
Being able to work community events, meet people from all over DFW, and teach them about NCTCOG and the work we do as a department.
What interest or activities do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I find joy in spending quality time with my family and friends, creating cherished moments together. I also appreciate moments of relaxation and often indulge in the simple pleasures of walking and hiking to unwind and connect with nature.
What is your role at NCTCOG?
I’m a Transportation Planner with the Aviation Team. My role at NCTCOG is to provide planning assistance for the Dallas-Fort Worth region’s general aviation airports, including developing a robust aviation education network and integrating Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
What inspired you to pursue a career in aviation planning?
The first time I knew I wanted to be in aviation was my first commercial flight at age 11. Since then, it has been a passion and a way of life.
Which aspects of your work have you found most rewarding?
The most rewarding aspect of my job is the constant learning. Aviation, especially the Unmanned Aircraft Systems industry, is growing fast; if you aren’t on top with your knowledge, you are behind.
What interest or activities do you enjoy outside of work?
Aviation is not only in my professional life but also in my personal life. Sometimes, on the weekends, I fly with friends and have recently tried aerobatic flying. After work, you can find me playing club volleyball or cooking something good for dinner.
You may also be interested in...
Mobility 2050