Bay Transit is pleased to announce that Bay Transit Operations Specialist Dina Cunningham has been selected as one of sixteen transit professionals from across Virginia to participate in the inaugural year of the Virginia Transit Association’s Leadership Institute (VTLI). VTLI is a groundbreaking program aimed at fostering the next generation of public transportation leaders in Virginia. “I am very excited to have been selected as a VTLI fellow,” Ms. Cunningham said. “I am extremely proud to represent Bay Transit at VTLI and will work hard to learn as much as possible from this innovative program.”

VTLI is a program initiated by the Commonwealth’s transit systems and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), and is designed to engage, elevate, and cultivate emerging leaders in the public transportation sector. This nine-month comprehensive program is tailored to mid-level and future executives, providing them with a holistic understanding of transit from diverse perspectives across the Commonwealth.

Among the robust schedule of speakers is DRPT’s Director Jennifer DeBruhl, who will be speaking at the Bay Transit-hosted VTLI session in Gloucester on November 14th, 2023. Bay Transit’s Director Ken Pollock, GRTC’s CEO Sheryl Adams, Michael Baker International’s Vice President Lorna Parkins and Jarrett Walker’s Principal Associate Scudder Wagg will also be speaking at VTLI sessions. “We are incredibly excited to introduce the inaugural class of fellows for the Virginia Transit Leadership Institute,” said Danny Plaugher, Executive Director of VTA. “VTLI represents a significant milestone in the advancement of Virginia’s public transportation sector, providing a platform for emerging leaders to cultivate their skills, collaborate with industry experts, and drive innovation. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact these fellows will make on our state’s transit landscape and the communities we serve.”