Mass Transit - 8

EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK

Congratulations to the 2020
40 Under 40 Honorees

If you need a shot of good news, look no further than the 40 young
professionals who are working to improve the transit industry in North America.

ur magazine has been honoring a selection of 40 bright individuals every
year since 2008. This is our twelfth year presenting the 40 Under 40 list
and 'outstanding' is an apt description for the 2020 honorees. We received
a record number of nominations for the 2020 recognition. Believe me
when I say, there wasn't a single dud in the entire nominee pool. We could
dedicate every page in every issue we will publish from now through the
end of the year to the nominees and not scratch the surface of excellence.
An embarrassment of riches is a good problem for our industry as we will need to tap into
innovation, creativity and new ways of thinking to help see the current crisis brought on by
the pandemic through to the end and, ultimately, to recovery and revival. The 40 individuals
highlighted within this issue will help bring that vision to reality.
When viewed as a whole, I'm struck by the diversity of thought and disciplines represented
in this group of 40 Under 40. We have transit system leaders and top managers from rural, suburban and urban agencies and municipalities. We have researchers, urban planners, engineers,
sales and marketing professionals, lobbyists, government officials and an association head.
This group is impressively educated with nearly 40 percent holding master's degrees, three
with juris doctorate degrees and three who have earned their Ph.D.
Close to 10 percent of this year's honorees began their careers as operators before transitioning
to management and, while I didn't tally a percentage, there are
When viewed as a more than a handful that began their careers outside of the
transit industry but have found it to be a place to thrive.
whole, I'm struck by the
Outside of work, you'll find this group to be comprised
diversity of thought and of musicians, cooks and bakers, sports fanatics, a personal
disciplines represented transit museum curator and a set of best friends. We didn't
in this group of know about the best friends until after the selection process
40 Under 40. was complete and it was a nice surprise.
What all honorees share is an unwavering belief in the
value transit brings to their communities and a dedication
to supporting this service in both their professional and
personal actions.
The entire Mass Transit team is proud to be able to present
the 2020 Class of 40 Under 40 honorees. We hope you take the
time to get to know them beyond the pages of the magazine by
visiting masstransitmag.com/40-under-40; where you'll find
additional fun facts, deeper first person viewpoints and more
information about their accomplishments.

Mischa Wanek-Libman, Editor
 mwanek@masstransitmag.com  224-324-8532  linkedin.com/in/mischawaneklibman

Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | JULY/AUGUST 2020

Editorial
Advisory Board
Gary Thomas
President/
Executive Director
Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Keith Jones, P.E.
General Manager
DC Streetcar
Matthew Tucker
Executive Director
North County
Transit District

http://www.masstransitmag.com/40-under-40 http://www.linkedin.com/in/mischawaneklibman http://www.MassTransitmag.com

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