November 2021 - 39

For 12 years out of his 20-year career, Mike
Smith simultaneously served in senior management
and consulting roles and part-time
operator positions, wanting to keep his skills
sharp and maximize his time in the field. This
has built a comprehensive resume representing
key operations and safety roles complemented
by experience as a contractor supporting
FTA's safety and oversight office and a
staffer at APTA.
Smith started in transit as a sophomore at
the University of Virginia as a part-time bus
operator for the University Transit Service.
Within one year, he was promoted to trainer,
and shortly thereafter, to safety supervisor.
When he graduated in 2005, he had trained
four classes of bus operators and restructured
many safety policies and procedures.
In his current role at RTA, he provides expertise
in regulatory compliance, Safety Management
Systems, accident investigation, safety audits,
emergency management and project management.
In 12 months, he repaired a strained
relationship with the state safety oversight
agency; revamped the internal safety committee
structure, which had been dormant; completely
rewrote and successfully adopted RTA's
FTA-compliant Agency Safety Plan; revamped
the employee safety reporting program;
I have found that dedicated
public servants who want transit
to be successful are out there
working for all types of systems
in all capacities, and they are
almost always willing and
eager to lend a helping hand. "
streamlined accident investigation and internal
safety audit procedures; and rebuilt a safety
training program including hazard identification
and Roadway Worker Protection training.
He continues to rebuild the agency's safety
culture, including personally delivering
an " SMS 101 " training course to frontline
employees that he developed based on FTA
guidance and industry best practices. He is
in the process of earning certification as an
Authorized Volunteer for Operation Lifesaver,
Inc., and he participates in APTA's bus and
rail safety committees, as well as its Rail
Operating Practices Standards Working Group.
Fast Fact: Smith is RTA's first employee
certified under FTA's Public Transportation
Safety Certification Training Program for rail.
MassTransitmag.com/21246389
Mike
Smith
Chief Safety Officer
New Orleans
Regional Transit
Authority (RTA)
RTA
CONGRATULATIONS,
ANTHONY ORTOLANI!
We appreciate all you do for the Modern
Railway Systems team.
For more information, visit www.MassTransitmag.com/10065974
2111MASS_Stacy & Witbeck.indd 1
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40
40
Congratulations,
Mike Smith!
under
The New Orleans Regional Transit
Authority congratulates Chief Safety
Officer, Mike Smith, for being selected
as one of Mass Transit's 40 under 40.
For more information, visit www.MassTransitmag.com/10856596
NOVEMBER 2021 | MassTransitmag.com | Mass Transit | 39
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http://www.MassTransitmag.com/21246389 http://www.MassTransitmag.com/10065974 http://www.MassTransitmag.com/10856596 http://www.MassTransitmag.com
November 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2021
