After a nationwide search, Transportation for America is delighted to announce the hiring of Kevin F. Thompson as Director of Transportation for America (T4America), the signature transportation initiative of Smart Growth America.
Mr. Thompson brings a wealth of transportation experience to T4America, previously serving as the director of communications & legislative affairs during the Obama administration for the Federal Railroad Administration at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Earlier in his career, he spent time at the Chicago Transit Authority, directed the infrastructure sub-cabinet for former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, and worked as a planner for the City of Chicago.
“Transportation policy and funding decisions, whether federal, state or local, are entirely interrelated, and we’re delighted to find someone in Kevin with experience at nearly every level,” said Beth Osborne, interim director of T4America. “His range of experience — working at the city level, at the country’s second biggest transit agency, and with USDOT — provide him with an invaluable perspective of how coalitions get built and decisions get made.”
“At the federal level, we’re facing the challenges of dwindling federal revenues for transportation and an administration that believes that the responsibility for making new investments in transportation should fall entirely on state and local leaders. Kevin is someone who can help make the case that we’re all in this together, and that states and localities are counting on the federal government to continue being a reliable partner in their efforts. Kevin’s additional experience with strategic communications and bringing everyone to the table will be a notable asset for T4America in the years ahead,” Osborne added.
“Transportation investments are the cornerstone of a vibrant, growing economy and T4America has been at the forefront of connecting communities and regions to create jobs and build strong local economies all across the country,” said Kevin Thompson upon his selection. “I am delighted to be a part of this legacy and look forward to working with our partners and funders as we continue to build upon our past successes and chart a new course to help our country realize the benefits of a truly integrated, equitable, multimodal transportation system.”
Mr. Thompson is a Chicago native who lives in Washington, D.C. and is a graduate of the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington and Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2017