Mass Transit magazine features agency profiles, industry trends, management tips and new product information.
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34 | Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 Daniel Hofer Transit Asset Administrator Utah Transit Authority Bridget Hennessey Intergovernmental Affairs Officer North County Transit District DAN HOFER started in his current position at the Utah Transit Authority when its asset management system was a plan, a fowchart and a dream. Trough Hofer's ability to focus on the details while keeping the end goal of the system in mind, the UTA has created, with its partner Bentley Systems, a state-of-the-art asset manage- ment system. UTA won the Bentley Sofware "Be Inspired" award in 2013 in the category innovation in transportation asset management. Te system he has led de- velopment on will be able to manage thousands of assets, including struc- tures, track, rail vehicles, buses, facilities, fber and other key assets that help UTA deliver transit services to the public. Tis system has reduced the time required for data collection and condition assessment of the assets by creating a mobile sofware solution that provides computer tablets to inspection staf. Tis approach has allowed UTA to collect condition data on assets by leveraging the tasks that are being com- pleted routinely by existing staf and collecting the data without the addition of more manpower. Tis key aspect of the system allows the experts in the feld — who are most familiar with the assets — to provide the technical assessment of the asset. By providing a solution for accurate condition ratings in this manner, it did not require the front line worker to go through extensive retraining. It also saved thousands of dol- lars by not requiring additional staf to duplicate a job that was already be performed by others. Hofer actively serves on the American Public transportation Association's State of Good Repair Working Group that has written several white papers that have helped other transit agencies begin development of an efective asset manage- ment system. He also contributed to the successful completion of an FTA Pilot Program Grant that highlighted the UTA system. www.MassTransitmag.com/11614030 BRIDGET HENNESSEY has guided staf through periods of both transition and crisis since joining the North County Transit Dis- trict in Oceanside, California, in November 2010. In her dual role as chief of staf and intergovernmental afairs ofcer, she is charged with implementing special projects on behalf of the agency's executive director; managing the strategic direction and daily activities of the intergovernmental afairs and communications division and its three departments and 15 employees; working with the local congressional delegation to secure discretionary funding for capital projects; and communi- cating the district's position on issues to federal, state and local agencies, associations, and advocacy groups. When the Sprinter light rail train was suspended from service in March 2013 on the eve of its ffh anniversary celebration, Hennessey mobilized her communications team and quickly assembled out- side resources to efectively communicate the service interruption impacts to passengers, the general pub- lic and stakeholders. During a highly stressful event, Hennessey provided the thoughtful, calm, upbeat leadership which successfully guided her team and her agency to a fawless response to the crisis. Hennessey joined NCTD as the agency was shif- ing its business model, and in turn, transforming the organizational structure. As chief of staf, Hennessey has addressed the challenges of this organizational transforma- tion head on. Te operational model change has also brought intense media scrutiny. Using her experience, Hennessey has set the strategy for responding to the scrutiny helping the agency maintain its stature in both local and industry communities. Prior to joining NCTD, Hen- nessey worked for nearly a decade as a transit advocate. In that capacity she worked with national organizations, including the Center for Transportation Excellence, Smart Growth America and the American Planning Association to advocate for increased investment in transportation and pro- gressive transit and community development policies. Hennessey continues to demonstrate her dedi- cation to the industry through her innovation and leadership at North County Transit District. www.MassTransitmag.com/11617572 "I really enjoying working in an industry that truly makes an impact in the communities we live and work in. I would like to see national transportation policy that fosters a culture of innovation." "I enjoy the public transit industry because we help fulfill a need in many people's lives. Since working at UTA I've learned how important it is that people are able to get places they need to get to ..."