WTSI LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

On November 15 and 16, WTS International hosted their annual Leadership Conference in Newport Beach, CA. Shout out to Caren Chambers, Shannon McCord, Jennifer Krips, and Kimberly Sims who represented the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter at the conference!

With Special Guest Speaker

Gyna Bivens

Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Fort Worth and Chair of the Regional Transportation Council

The WTS Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter is hosting a reception for our Corporate Partners on Tuesday, November 28th, featuring special guest speaker Gyna Bivens, Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Fort Worth and Chair of the Regional Transportation Council (RTC).

Each year we are able to invest in the professional growth of women in the transportation industry and give away over $25K in annual scholarships because of the support of our Corporate Partners. This event will celebrate the involvement of our Corporate Partner members in the advancement of women in the transportation industry.

The WTS Corporate Partner reception is for current Corporate Partner members and new Corporate Partner members only. If you would like to become a 2024 Corporate Partner, please email membership@wtsgreaterdfw.com. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ELECTION

2024-2025

WTS Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter Members,

Nominations are in and it's time to vote for the 2024-2025 Board of Directors! 

Voting will close at 11:59 p.m. Friday, December 1st. Election results will be announced before our Annual Meeting in December.

All positions require a confirmation vote below.

MEET THE CANDIDATES

PRESIDENT

Shannon McCord is a Vice President and the National Client Service Director for HNTB Corporation located in Dallas, TX. She has more than 20 years of office leadership, communications, business development and community engagement experience in the transportation industry. She has been a member of WTS since 2010 and has served on the board as Communications Director and most recently as Vice President. She has also served on the golf tournament, scholarship banquet, scholarship and communications committees. Shannon is driven by WTS’ mission and vision of attracting, sustaining, connecting, and advancing women’s careers to strengthen the transportation industry as well as providing equity and access for women in transportation. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Oklahoma State University (Go Pokes!), an MBA in marketing and an MLA in Mass Communications both from Oklahoma City University, and is a graduate of the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Dallas program.

VICE PRESIDENT

Stephanie Taylor graduated with a BSCE from Rice University and worked for a year as a civil engineer in residential land development. She quickly realized that wanted to work in transportation engineering instead and went on to earn her MSCE from University of Southern California. Since then, she has worked as a traffic engineer both in the public sector and as a consultant for over 15 years. WTS has been a crucial part of her professional life since her graduate school days with the Greater Los Angeles Chapter and continued with the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter from 2008 – 2011. During that time, Stephanie created the Mentoring Committee and served as one of the first Transportation YOU Committee members. Since reconnecting with her hometown Chapter in 2020, Stephanie has enthusiastically gotten involved by volunteering with the Communications Committee, helping the Diversity Committee host its Awards Luncheon in 2022, and speaking on a Transportation YOU panel for local high school students.

Stephanie works in the Dallas office of LJA Engineering as a Senior Project Manager. She also volunteers with the Greater Dallas Section in the Texas District of Institute of Transportation Engineers (TexITE Dallas) and has recently been appointed to the Rice Engineering Alumni (REA) Board of Directors. If elected, Stephanie would leverage relationships with REA and TexITE to provide more opportunities to learn, network, and develop to a broader cross-section of transportation professionals and students.

She is committed to working with the Board and members to nurture and expand our supportive community of women in the transportation industry.

TREASURER

Jennifer Krips has worked in the construction and transportation industry for more than 20 years, focusing on business development and marketing of professional services. She is currently the Director of Marketing for RailPros, a 1,000-person, rail-focused engineering and ancillary services firm based in Irving. Jennifer also owns a notary public business and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. She is a past president of the Business Development Association of Orange County, California.

SECRETARY

Meredith Cebelak, PhD, PE is the North Texas Project Executive and a TSM&O Department Lead with Gresham Smith. She is a subject matter expert in big data, ITS and freight and has over 20 years of professional experience in the design, implementation, and evaluation of multi-faceted transportation engineering solutions. She has experience working with local, state, and federal agencies guiding projects from concept to construction and has been actively involved in the transportation research community through research projects and publications. Meredith has published and presented original research at numerous conferences including the TRB Annual Meeting, ITS America, and ITS World Congress. She has been recognized as a Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellow, ENO Fellow and is a currently a member of the TRB Information Systems and Technology committee.

PROGRAMS DIRECTOR

George Cisneros has over twenty-five years of experience in the planning, design and managing of aviation, federal, roadway, transit, bridge, water resources, public works and land development projects. His portfolio includes bridge design, floodplain management, hydrologic and hydraulic analyses and the planning and design of drainage, roadway, and water and wastewater facilities, from initial development through completion. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, reading, spending time outdoors and attending sporting events.

MEMBER SERVICES DIRECTOR

Madeline Shepherd is a Project Manager in the Transportation Planning & Policy group at Burns & McDonnell. She delivers strategic communications, planning, outreach and project management services to a diverse range of clients and communities, with a particular focus on long-term planning, emerging mobility technology and public involvement. Madeline has over 10 years of experience working in urban policy and transportation, including leading stakeholder engagement across a 13-state region for Ford’s mobility and autonomous vehicle and mobility division. Prior to Ford, Madeline worked at the Metropolitan Planning Council in Chicago where she researched and advocated for transportation and infrastructure funding, transit investments, and land use policy. She’s currently a board member for the WTS Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter, the Greater Dallas Planning Council, and the High-Speed Rail Alliance. Madeline attended the Master's of Urban Planning and Policy program at the University of Illinois in Chicago (UIC) and has a B.A. in Social Policy from Northwestern University. 

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP & MAJOR EVENTS DIRECTOR

Iskra Rodriguez is an Aviation Sr. Project Manager at HNTB, she has proven experience in successfully managing complex programs and delivering mega-infrastructure projects. She has provided program management development and oversight using a comprehensive project control and reporting systems to support the successful planning of over $5 billion in mega projects. Most recently she helped with the concept development and approval of Terminal F and Terminal C Redevelopment at DFW Airport. She is currently working with Austin Bergstrom overseeing the preliminary conceptual planning of their new terminal. Iskra enjoys project management and loves simplifying complicated challenges, in her free time she likes to hike, watch FC Dallas soccer games and cook with her husband.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Kimberly Sims serves as the Director of Public Engagement and Communications for HNTB’s North Texas offices. She has more than 20 years of communications and government, media and community relations experience. In this role, she leads a team who supports transportation and urban planning projects with communication and outreach strategies. Her transportation experience includes transit, tolling, aviation and heavy highway in the planning and construction phases.

She previously served as the Engagement and Outreach Manager for BART’s Link21 Program. This generational project integrated equity into the program and is expected to transform the passenger rail system in the 21-county Northern California Megaregion.

Prior to her role at HNTB, Kimberly led the Public Involvement practice at a Fort Worth-based public relations firm. While there, she managed communications and outreach for several high profile, large-scale transportation projects, including the 35Express, Chisholm Trail Parkway, SH 170 and SH 360. The 35Express project was a $1 billion Texas Department of Transportation project that expanded 30-miles of Interstate 35E through nine cities and two counties. Kimberly and her team worked to develop a relatable brand and communications strategy that would reach more than 100,000 commuters, 3,000 businesses and 150,000 residents. This design build project was recognized by ARTBA and the Fort Worth chapter of PRSA for its communications and outreach efforts.

Kimberly also led the public involvement efforts for the NTTA’s first tollway in Tarrant County, the Chisholm Trail Parkway, a 26-mile road that stretched from downtown Fort Worth to Cleburne. Kimberly and her team helped the NTTA develop relationships with businesses and residents along the corridor to keep them abreast of construction progress and its possible impacts on the travelling public.

Kimberly served the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter of Women’s Transportation Seminar as the Director of Programs and as the chapter’s representative for the SW Region Council. Prior to this position she served as the inaugural communications chair for the chapter. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications and an MBA from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. 

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Stephanie Manry joined VRX, Inc. as a Senior Environmental Planner in 2020 working alongside a team of engineers and environmental professionals. Stephanie has almost two decades of effectively managing all environmental aspects of projects from planning through construction. Prior to joining VRX, Stephanie worked for the Texas Department of Transportation for many years in the North Region, Environmental Affairs Division, and in the Wichita Falls District.

Stephanie has her BS in Environmental Science from Midwestern State University and her MS in Occupational Safety & Health with an emphasis in Environmental Management from Columbia Southern University. Stephanie is a Registered Environmental Professional and Graduate Safety Practitioner and currently serves on the WTS DFW Chapters Board of Directors as the Communications Director with active roles including serving on the WTS Annual Golf Tournament Committee and the Facilities Committee.

When Stephanie is not working, she is spending her free time with her family and extra time with her grandson, Brantley. Stephanie shares her love for transportation and traveling with her son Colby (27), and daughter, Shyanne (25) who both work in the Transportation Consulting industry.

STUDENT RELATIONS

Melanie Cleavelin, P.E. earned her BS in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M in 2007 and later earned her ME from UTA in 2013. She has been with Halff Associates for over 16 years. Melanie has a variety of experience with transportation, drainage and site development projects with a focus on roadway design. Her current role is team leader overseeing a team designing transportation and public works projects.

Melanie has been a member of WTS with active roles including banquet committee, programs committee, and mentor. She currently serves as the Transportation YOU chair. She has served as chair of Halff’s charitable organization, Halff Community Initiative, since its inception in 2017.

Melanie spends any free time with her husband, Nick, daughter, Ryan, and son, Bryce, usually playing soccer or watching her husband or kids play soccer.

2023 WTS Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter

Scholarship Opportunities

To encourage women pursuing careers in transportation, the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter of WTS awards local scholarships to graduate, undergraduate, community college, and high school students. These scholarships have been made possible through generous contributions from our corporate members.

Every year, the scholarships are competitive and based on the applicant’s specific transportation involvement and goals, job skills, and academic record. Minority candidates are encouraged to apply. Past applicants have backgrounds in civil, mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineering, as well as urban planning, public policy, public safety, and emergency response. Any students that may be eligible for the scholarships should apply!

Scholarship Application can be found here: 

https://www.wtsinternational.org/chapters/greater-dallasfort-worth/scholarships

Must be submitted

no later than Friday, December 22, 2023.

Questions:

 Katelyn Heikkinen 

BGE, Inc. 

Phone: 972-464-4857 

E-mail: kheikkinen@bgeinc.com 

Wanda J. Schafer Graduate Scholarship ($2,500) 

Encourages women to pursue career paths in transportation. This $2,500 scholarship is awarded to women pursuing graduate studies in transportation or a related field. 

Monique Pegues Graduate Leadership Scholarship ($2,500)

For graduate students who are the future leaders of transportation and who demonstrate interest in advancing transportation innovation. This award is for $2,500.

Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter WTS Undergraduate Scholarship ($2,500)

Fosters the development of women in the transportation field by encouraging bright new undergraduate students to undertake careers in transportation. This award is for $2,500. 

Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter WTS Undergraduate Leadership Scholarship ($2,500)

For undergraduate students in transportation or related field who demonstrate leadership skills, ability and interest. This award is for $2,500.

Community College/Technical/Trade School Scholarship ($2,500)

Fosters the development of women in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals at community, technical, or trade colleges to undertake careers in transportation. This award is for $2,500. 

Transportation YOU High School Scholarship ($2,500)

Fosters the development of high school women and girls in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals and students to undertake careers in transportation. This award is for $2,500.  

WTS/Gorrondona & Associates, Inc. High School Scholarship ($2,500)

Encourages female high school seniors to pursue STEM studies at the community college or university level. These scholarships are targeted towards Dallas-Fort Worth area students with a financial need, who are among the first of their family members to attend college, are working to contribute to a family budget or participating in activities outside of schoolwork and wish to pursue a career in the transportation field. There will be a total of four $2,500 awards given out for this scholarship.  

WTS/HDR Future Forward Scholarship ($2,500)

Aims to help prepare a high school senior or undergraduate student for a bright future in the pursuit of a STEM degree and pathway into the transportation industry. Both WTS and HDR seek to cultivate the next generation to advance the transportation industry for the public good. This award is for $2,500.

WTS Annual Conference 2024:

Connecting Cultures, Connecting Communities

Call for Abstracts

Do you have an amazing idea for WTS International's 2024 Annual Conference? Share your specialized knowledge, insights, research, and experience in a conference breakout session or poster!

The 2024 WTS International Annual Conference will be held on May 8-10, 2024, in New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans is a welcoming city whose citizens embody the spirit of resilience. The focus of the conference – Connecting Cultures, Connecting Communities – requires a fully inclusive conversation. We are looking for abstracts from all transportation modes including roads, transit, bicycle and pedestrian, freight, aviation, maritime and ports. We are strongly encouraging diversity and inclusion across modes and speakers for panels and presentations and are looking for abstracts that highlight equity regardless of topic. This will be an exciting opportunity to showcase The Crescent City in all its forms. 

TRACK THEMES

• Collaborating on Resiliency and Funding in Transportation
• Navigating New Technology in Transportation
• Career Development and Management Solutions
• Inclusivity and Equity in Transportation
• Connecting to the Future of Transportation

SUBMISSIONS SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION

• Track selection
• Breakout session title
• Primary point of contact information
• A primary point of contact is required for each proposed session and will be used to communicate all vital conference details.
• Geographic Interest
• Indicate what cities, states, regions represent the session.
• Breakout Session Description
• Provide a clear description of the proposed session content while highlighting any compelling characteristics (maximum 250 words)
• Breakout Session Format
• Audio/Visual Needs
• Proposed Speakers Information: Name, Title, Organization, City, 2 Email Addresses and Speaker Biographies – Provide a brief biography for each proposed speaker (maximum 100 words)

Click the button below to find out more information and submit your contributions by FRIDAY DECEMBER 15, 2023.

Call for Posters

Do you have research or a project you'd like to share in our 2024 Poster Sessions? Click the button below to find out more information and submit your poster contribution by FRIDAY JANUARY 12, 2024.

Questions? Contact programs@wtsinternational.org

As a benefit for our corporate partners, members, and local non-profit organizations, the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter will run job postings for 30 days for free on our chapter website.

To add your posting, contact Communications@WTSGreaterDFW.org