CTAA Leadership Academy Empowers Transportation Professionals with Transformative Week-long Intensive Training in Washington, D.C.

Limited Spaces Available for 2025 Cohort 7, Applications Are Due October 31, 2024

Washington, D.C. – [September 19, 2024] – The Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) is thrilled to announce the application for its popular Leadership Academy (formerly Emerging Leaders Academy) is now available for the 2025 program, Cohort 7.

“The CTAA Leadership Academy features a targeted curriculum to cultivate high-level leadership skills for professionals within the transportation sector. We’re proud of the quality of the program and the impact this immersive program has not only on the participants but on their communities,” shares CTAA Executive Director Scott Bogren. “In addition to the coursework, Leadership Academy participants join the CTAA Board of Directors and Staff during our Legislative Fly-In, meeting with Congress about issues that impact transit across the country.”

“The Leadership Academy programming is strategically and expertly designed to provide future leaders in community transportation the knowledge, tools, and connections they need to drive positive change and innovations within their organizations,” says Loreal Lance, Member Services Director and the organizer of the Academy. “We welcome students from transit agencies and providers, state or regional transit-related organizations, and anyone interested in advancing their career in the transportation industry.”

The CTAA Leadership Academy offers a series of comprehensive courses that explore the core principles of effective leadership, strategic planning, and team management. Participants engage in dynamic workshops, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities with industry experts and peers. The program’s holistic approach ensures that attendees leave with a profound understanding of effective leadership in the transit industry, empowering them to lead with integrity and vision.

Cohort 6 participant Neal Vance, Rural Areas Program Manager at the Division of Multimodal Transportation Facilities, West Virginia Department of Transportation, attested to the transformative power of the Leadership Academy, stating, “The CTAA Leadership Academy is the single most important training I have ever attended. The structure of the training and the engaging atmosphere of the speakers were interesting and moved me out of my comfort zone.

The Academy taught me a critical lesson on the difference between Authority and Leadership that I have been incorporating into my team at work. I will send a representative of West Virginia DOT every year CTAA will allow because this training is truly transformative and I hope all of my staff will eventually be able to participate.”

Roman Steichen, Director of Frederick County (Maryland) Transit Services shares his experience in Cohort 5; “It was hands-down the best training experience of my life. Being immersed in the subject matter for five days with my peers in similar situations as myself resulted in fantastic problem-solving opportunities, a honed skillset to be used in the work environment and personal life, and forged lifelong friendships.”

The CTAA Leadership Academy is open to transportation professionals from across the country who are dedicated to advancing their leadership capabilities. As part of CTAA’s ongoing commitment to fostering excellence in community transportation, the Academy provides an unparalleled opportunity for professional development and growth. For more information about the CTAA Leadership Academy, including a program outline and application details, please visit https://ctaa.org/leadership-academy.