said Governor Baker. “Making informed transportation decisions and policy guided by the best analysis possible will be the foundation for success across the board in years to come to keep our innovation economy thriving and competitive.”
“Members of the Future of Transportation in the Commonwealth Commission have generously agreed to help us chart an important future of the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Our appointees bring exceptional institutional knowledge of our transportation history and a keen understanding of the challenges Massachusetts will need to address over the next several years.”
“I look forward to working with members of the Commission, many of whom are professionally recognized as leaders in fields that will impact transportation, as we wrestle with a wide range of facts and trends to develop plausible scenarios and guidance to decision-makers and other stakeholders,” said Steven Kadish, who will chair the Commission.
Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation (MTF) President Eileen McAnneny, who will serve on the Commission, said its creation reflects MTF’s recent report that stressed how transportation is undergoing disruptive change. “This Commission positions the Commonwealth as a national leader in factoring the impacts of technological advances, climate change and changing transportation consumption habits into its capital investment and strategic planning processes,” McAnneny said.
The Governor named 18 members with a range of backgrounds and skill sets to serve as unpaid members of the Commission, which will be chaired by Governor Baker’s former Chief of Staff, Steven Kadish. The Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Secretary and CEO of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation will serve as ex officio members.
Commission members will focus on at least five key areas anticipated to have a dramatic impact on transportation in the future:
- Climate and resiliency;
- Transportation electrification;
- Autonomous and connected vehicles, including ride-sharing services;
- Transit and mobility services; and
- Land use and demographic trends.
“This is going to be a serious effort, with a broad range of experts who will seek to better understand and evaluate how technology and other forces in society will affect transportation in the decades ahead,”
said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “We believe Massachusetts is the first state in the nation to convene a group like this which will play an important role in looking at disruptive changes in transportation, an exercise that is essential to laying the foundation for any future transportation blueprint. Those same forces could affect the types of capital investments Massachusetts will need and should make as well as the sources of revenue to support such future infrastructure investments in the Commonwealth.”
“The Baker-Polito Administration continues to utilize a collaborative approach to work across state government and with our cities and towns to reduce carbon emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change,”
said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “As Massachusetts continues its efforts to meet our commitments under the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008, the Commission on the Future of Transportation in the Commonwealth will be crucial in identifying solutions to achieving substantial greenhouse gas emission reductions from the transportation sector.”
The Baker-Polito Administration began a series of statewide listening sessions in September 2017 to discuss possible solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. Following the forums, state environmental and transportation leaders continue to develop the Commonwealth’s strategy to reduce transportation sector emissions, develop a comprehensive regional strategy for the deployment of zero emission vehicles, and increase the resilience of transportation infrastructure as the climate changes.
The Commission will engage with a range of non-profit groups, academic thought leaders and other stakeholders. As needed, Commonwealth of Massachusetts knowledge experts in various secretariats will be providing information to the Commission.
For additional information on Executive Order No. 579, please
click here.
In addition to Secretaries Pollack and Beaton serving as ex-officio members, other members of the Commission include:
Steven Kadish, Chair
Steve Kadish is a Senior Research Fellow at the Taubman Center for State and Local Government at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, after serving as Governor Charlie Baker’s first Chief of Staff for nearly 3 years. Prior positions include Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Northeastern University, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Dartmouth College, Director of Global Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts Undersecretary for Health & Human Services, Senior Vice President for Administration at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Associate Vice Chancellor of Operations at UMass Medical School, and Assistant Commissioner for Operations at Massachusetts Division of Medical Assistance (Medicaid). Kadish earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University and a Master of City Planning degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Rebecca Davis
Rebecca Davis has worked as the Deputy Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council since 2008. There, she oversees the agency’s administration, finance and human resource operations, and works to keep their priorities in line with their visionary regional plan; MetroFuture: Making a Greater Boston Region. Prior to becoming Deputy Director, Ms. Davis served as MAPC’s Director of Government Affairs, where she developed and led their legislative agenda, including zoning reform legislation, transportation funding, and energy and environmental issues. She also spent time as Director of their Clean Energy teams, where she focused on promoting the implementation of renewable energy and energy efficient projects. Ms. Davis previously worked in the Massachusetts State House as Legislative Director to State Senator Robert O’Leary, and worked to pass numerous environmental laws, including the Massachusetts Ocean Act, the nation’s first ocean management legislation. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and American Institutions from Brown University.
Daniel Dolan
Daniel Dolan is President of the New England Power Generators Association. He turned the company around to make it the successful, well-respected energy association it is today. He provides leadership of the association, and administers all aspects including overseeing staff, finances, membership recruitment and retention, policy development, and the implementation of Board actions. Mr. Dolan also oversees key relationships with the Congressional delegation, Federal regulators, Governors, state legislators, and ISO New England Executive Management and Board of Directors. He previously served as Vice President of both Policy Research and Communications, and Policy Research and Analysis for the Electric Power Supply Association. Mr. Dolan received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Goucher College. He is presently a member of the Development Committee of Family ACCESS Board of Directors, and was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of My Sisters Place.
Gretchen Effgen
Gretchen Effgen is Vice President of the Global Partnerships and Business Team at Nutonomy. She provides team leadership, and oversees partnerships, business development, external relations, and recruiting and human capital management. Ms. Effgen previously served as Executive Vice President of Mobility Services at CivicSmart, and was a member of their Board of Directors. She also spent four years working for Zipcar where she served as Strategic Advisor, Vice President of Strategy & Corporate Development, Director of Business Development, and Senior Manager of Business Development. Ms. Effgen received her Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University, and her Master of Business Administration from London Business School. She is a member of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council, and a member of the ULI Urban Development Council. Ms. Effgen also received the Best Strategic Alliance Award for the Zipcar and Ford Motor Company partnership, as well as the Zipcar Innovator Award.
José Gómez-Ibáñez
José Gómez- Ibáñez is the Derek C. Bok Professor of Urban Planning and Public Policy at Harvard University. He also holds a joint appointment at the Graduate School of Design, and John F. Kennedy School of Government. Mr. Gómez- Ibáñez is also the Chair of the Social and Urban Policy Area at Harvard Kennedy School. He also does work as a consultant and public service aid to U.S. government agencies, foreign governments, and private for-profit and non-profit firms. He previously served as Senior Advisor to the Infrastructure Vice Presidency at the World Bank, and was a Senior Staff Economist in the Council of Economic Affairs at the Executive Office of the President in Washington, D.C. Mr. Gómez- Ibáñez has interests in infrastructure and urban economic development, and infrastructure privatization and regulation. He has published four books, numerous journal articles and papers, and has edited many other writings. He received his Bachelors of Arts in Government from Harvard College, and his Master of Public Policy and Ph.D. from Harvard Kennedy School.
Kenneth Kimmell
As president of the Union of Concerned Scientists, Kenneth Kimmell dedicates his time to using scientific knowledge to build a healthier and safer world. He is a leading advocate for UCS’s Power Ahead campaign, which is working to build an expansive group of clean energy leadership states. Mr. Kimmell previously served as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, where he helped push nine states to lower carbon emissions. He also worked as general counsel in the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs during Governor Deval Patrick’s administration, and spent 17 years as the director and senior attorney at a law firm specializing in environmental, energy, and land-use issues. Mr. Kimmell earned his Bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University, and his law degree from the University of California.
Carol Lee Rawn
Carol Lee Rawn is a Cambridge resident who currently serves as the Director of Transportation for CERES, a Boston based sustainability nonprofit organization. In her role, she works with influential investors and companies to promote sustainable transportation practices and policies. Prior to her work at CERES, she was General Counsel for the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, leading the Clean State Initiative, before moving onto the Conservation Law Foundation, where she worked as an environmental advocate. Ms. Rawn also served as Deputy Legal Counsel for Massachusetts Governor William Weld, and spent 3 years before that working as an environmental crime prosecutor with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literary Studies from Middlebury College, and then went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Eileen McAnneny
Eileen McAnneny has been President of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation since 2015. She has more than 20 years of experience in government relations, public policy, and advocacy and managerial experience in both the public and private sectors in Massachusetts. Ms. McAnneny previously served as President and CEO of the Massachusetts Society of CPAs, as Director of Public Policy at Fidelity Investments, and as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Associate General Council at Associated Industries of Massachusetts. She spent time working in the public sector as a staff attorney for the Joint Committee on Revenue of the Massachusetts legislature, where she played a key role in various significant tax policy changes. Ms. McAnneny received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Tufts University, and her Juris Doctorate in Law from Suffolk University Law School. She is a commissioner of the Group Insurance Commission, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Cooperative Central Bank and the Massachusetts Health Quality Partnership.
Timothy McGourthy
Timothy McGourthy is a Worcester resident currently serving as Executive Director for the Worcester Regional Research Bureau where he directs the research agenda, oversees operations, coordinates forums and events, leads fundraising efforts, and provides support for a 90-member Board of Directors. He is also an adjunct professor at Clark University where he teaches a graduate course in Community Development Finance. Mr. McGourthy previously served as the Chief Development Officer for the City of Worcester, and the Chief Executive Officer for the Worcester Redevelopment Authority. He helped oversee nine city divisions, and was key in the development of Worcester’s Downtown, Lincoln Square, and Washington Square. He also served as Director of Public Policy for the Boston Redevelopment Authority where he drafted policies and legislation related to issues impacting the development of the city. Mr. McGourthy received his Bachelor of Arts in History from the College of William and Mary. He also holds a Master of Arts in Government from The Johns Hopkins University, and a Master in Public Policy and Urban Planning from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He was offered the Comparative Domestic Policy Fellowship in 2010/2011 from the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Mr. McGourthy was also a Chair on the Worcester Economic Development Coordinating Committee, as well as an Executive Committee Member of the Worcester Cultural Coalition.
Mark Melnik Ph.D
Mark Melnik is a Jamaica Plain resident who currently works as the Director of Economic and Public Policy Research at UMASS Amherst’s Donahue Institute. He focuses on demographic, socio-economic and labor market issues. Previously, he acted as Deputy Director for Research at the Boston Redevelopment Authority, where he led research teams on demographic and economic research. Dr. Melnik also worked as a research associate at the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Youngstown State University, and his Master of Arts from Northeastern University, both in sociology. He also holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Sociology from Northeastern University.
Colleen Quinn
Colleen Quinn is the Senior Vice President of Global Public Policy for ChargePoint, the world’s largest network of electric vehicle charging stations. There, she leads regulatory and government market development activities. In addition, she oversaw ChargePoint’s expansion into Europe, and represented ChargePoint at COP 21 in Paris, where she accepted the United Nations Momentum for Change Award. Ms. Quinn is a seasoned executive leader and government strategist with 30 years of experience in government, business, and non-profit sectors. Her experience includes working for California Governor Jerry Brown, the Partnership for New York City, Insight Communications, Pacific Telesis, and the Revlon Foundation. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley, and earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of California’s Hastings College of Law. The diverse organization and stakeholder group positions that Ms. Quinn serves in the EV industry include: Executive Committee and Board member Electric Drive Transportation Association; Executive Committee of the California Plug In Electric Vehicle Collaborative; Founder of the Electric Vehicle Charging Association; Gubernatorial appointee the Massachusetts ZEV Commission; Maryland Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council; Chair of the National Electric Manufacturers Association EV Charging Government Relations committee.
Karen Sawyer Conrad
Karen Sawyer Conrad is the Executive Director of the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission. She leads the agency on coordinating the planning and development of 15 communities in Essex County. Ms. Sawyer Conrad has over 28 years of experience in public and private sectors, and an extensive knowledge of state and local government in Massachusetts. She has previously served as the Director of Community Development and Planning for the City of Peabody, the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Corporate Development at MassInnovation, and was the Director of the Economic Assistance Coordinating Council within the Department of Economic Development. Ms. Sawyer Conrad received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and French from Duke University. She is a Director and Charitable Foundation Committee Member at the Savings Banks, a Director at First Financial Trust, and President of Housing Support, Inc. She was appointed by Governor Baker to the Gaming Policy Advisory Commission.
Sandra Sheehan
Sandra Sheehan is a Hampden resident who currently serves as Chief Executive Officer for the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority. There, she provides leadership, direction, support, and oversight for the Authority and its contractors. She previously served as the Director of Planning and Development, and the Director of Procurement and Transit at PVTA. Prior to her work there, Ms. Sheehan worked as Director of Grants and Contract Administration at the Greater Hartford Transit District in Hartford, CT. She played a key role in Hartford’s Intermodal Triangle Project, which included the design and construction of improved downtown intermodal connections. She received her Associate of Arts in Civil Engineering from Miami Dade Community College, and her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Ms. Sheehan also holds a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Western New England University. She is a member of the American Public Transportation Association as well as the Massachusetts Association of Regional Transit Authorities.
Stephen Silveira
Stephen Silveira is Senior Vice President at ML Strategies, where he assists clients in their interactions with both state and local governments. He was appointed by both Governor Romney and Governor Patrick to chair the Commonwealth’s Transportation Finance Commission, where he helped make recommendations on how the Commonwealth can finance, maintain, and expand its transportation system. He aided the commission in formulating 28 cost-cutting and revenue-enhancing recommendations. Mr. Silveira previously worked at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority as Deputy Director of Real Estate, where he oversaw the sale and development of the MBTA’s surplus real estate assets. He also led the successful effort to expand the Route 128 Station in collaboration with Amtrak. In addition, Mr. Silveira spent time working in the Massachusetts State Senate as a Legislative Aide. Mr. Silveira received his Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Government from Ohio Wesleyan University. He was appointed by Governor Baker to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, and was elected to serve on their Executive Committee.
Navjot Singh
Dr. Navjot Singh is a Weston resident who serves as the Managing Partner for the McKinsey Boston Office, and has been a leader in McKinsey’s Pharmaceuticals and Medicals Products and Public Sector Practice for over 15 years. He focuses on the intersection of science, medicine, business, investments, and government. He previously served as Program Manager at General Electric’s Global Research Center. Dr. Singh received a Bachelor of Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, a Master of Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He is a co-holder and inventor of over 15 patents, and has been published in
In Vivo and
Nature Drug Discovery. He is the Chair of the Board of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, and the Chair of the External Advisory Board of Overseers of Museum of Science.
Kirk Sykes
Kirk Sykes is the head of the Urban Strategy America Fund, L.P, where they work to provide investors with the opportunity to transform urban and economic development areas. Mr. Sykes supervises partnership equity placement, the identification of investments, and day-to-day operations of the fund. His start came about in the early 1990s, when he worked on the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative to develop a 40-unit townhouse in Boston’s south end. Mr. Sykes also helped develop the Boston State Hospital site in 1998, which later became the first investment of the Urban Strategy America Fund. Mr. Sykes received his Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Cornell University. He also studied at L’Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, and completed postgraduate programs at MIT’s Center for Real Estate Development, and Harvard University’s Business School. Mr. Sykes received the 21
st Century Black Massachusetts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005, Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund’s 5
th Annual Presidents Conference Award in 2004, and serves as a member of the Urban Land Institute’s Boston Executive Committee. He also founded the Robert Taylor Society of Black Architects in, and served as their president. He was appointed by Governor Baker to serve on the Black Advisory Commission.]]>
