Staff

Ulmer Named to Web Developer Post

SURTC graduate research assistant Dustin Ulmer was hired as a web developer by SURTC's parent organization, the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute. Part of his time is focused on SURTC's NDinfo project. That project is focused on developing an online statewide transportation service directory. He is also working on a UGPTI project with the American Road and Transportation Builders Association to upgrade the website for the Federal Highway Administration's Local Technical Assistance Program.

Ulmer first began working for SURTC in 2003 as an intern. He received his bachelor's degree in management information systems with a minor in computer science from NDSU in the spring of 2004. He is continuing to work on his MBA.

SURTC Welcomes New Board Members

Joe Dougherty of Wyoming, B. Leone Gibson of Utah, and Audrey Allums of Montana recently join the SURTC advisory board.

Joe Dougherty is the Transit Director in Cheyenne, WY, serving in that position since 2001. In 2003 the Cheyenne Transit Program was named the "Wyoming Transit Agency of the Year" and in 2006, Joe was named as "Wyoming Transit Administrator of the Year." He currently serves as the President of the WYTRANS organization representing more than 52 transit providers throughout Wyoming. Dougherty is a Cheyenne native and attended Laramie County Community College. In 1988 he was elected to the Cheyenne City Council, where he served as Public Services Committee Chairman, Vice President and President of the City Council. In 1993 Dougherty became Executive Assistant to Mayor Leo Pando, serving in that capacity for 8 years. Dougherty and his late wife, Ann, raised two children in Cheyenne, and today he enjoys being around his three grandchildren.

B. Leone Gibson has been involved in managing federal and state human service programs for more than two decades in her native state of Utah. At Six County Association of Governments in the central part of the State, she administered federal and state programs providing services to the elderly and low-income populations. As vice chair for the Community Services State Association, she provided oversight and direction for human service agencies. As a member of the State of Utah Social Service Block Grant Human Services Planning Committee she engaged in evaluation and necessary adjustment of state policies to better serve the target population.

Gibson began her career in rural transit in 2001 with the Utah Department of Transportation as the FTA Section 5310 manager. In 2003, she was promoted to director, Transit Plans and Programs that includes oversight of FTA Sections 5304, 5310, 5311, 5316 and 5317. Leone is providing direction for the implementation of Utah's Coordinated Human-Service Public Transportation Plan as well as local transit studies. She has been a board member of URSTA and provides advocacy and technical assistance. In 2005, she was appointed to serve on the Utah Commission on Aging to represent the interests of seniors related to transportation issues.

Audrey Allums is currently the Transit Section Supervisor for the Montana Department of Transportation. Originally from Flandreau, SD, she is a graduate of Chadron State College, Chadron, NE. She is currently completing her master's degree in transportation policy, operations and logistics at the School of Public Policy at George Mason University. Allums has spent the last sixteen years as an employee of the state of Montana with 13 years working for the Department of Justice. For six years she was the state Juvenile Justice Specialist. Audrey spent two years with the State Highway Traffic Safety Office and recently moved to Transit Section Supervisor. In her free time, Allums travels with her husband, Richard, and enjoys the Montana outdoors.

SURTC Staff Members Participate in National Meetings

SURTC staff members presented papers at or contributed their expertise to several national transportation meetings this spring.

SURTC director Jill Hough chaired and participated in a panel discussion on "Senior Mobility: Important Issues for an Aging Population" at the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Forum (TRF) in Boston March 15-17. Carol Wright filled in as a presenter when another presenter was delayed due to weather. The meeting was attended by more than 100 transportation leaders representing academia, industry and government.

Researcher Xinyu "Jason" Cao presented his research on residential and travel choices of elderly residents of Northern California during a session on emerging transportation issues at the TRF meeting. Cao completed the research for his dissertation at the University of California - Davis before joining SURTC.

Researcher Del Peterson presented information on the advanced small transit vehicle development study at the American Public Transportation Association Bus & Paratransit Conference in Nashville, TN. His presentation was part of a panel discussion on small transit vehicle advancements. The study is focused on developing standards for a small transit vehicle that is both economical to produce and meets the needs of small transit providers.

Peterson also presented information on the study at an advanced small transit vehicle stakeholder meeting at the Community Transportation Expo in Reno, NV. That event is conducted by the Community Transportation Association of America.

Hough Earns Ph.D.

SURTC director Jill Hough graduated from the University of California - Davis June 14 with a Ph.D. in transportation technology and policy. Thirteen of Hough's family members attended the ceremony.

Susan Handy, professor of environmental science and policy was Hough's major professor. Pat Mokhtarian, professor of civil and environmental engineering, and Daniel Sperling, director of the Institute of Transportation Studies and professor of civil and environmental engineering and environmental science and policy, also served on her advisory committee. Hough's dissertation is titled "Realized Travel Demand and Relative Desired Mobility of Elderly Women living in Rural and Small Urban North Dakota."