Making Transit Work for Cities with Jannet Walker Ford

This episode of the Amazing Cities and Towns Podcast sponsored by Bearing Advisors, Jim Hunt interviews Jannet Walker Ford 

·       A candid conversation about making transit work in your city.

·       And, much more

7 Steps to an Amazing City:

1. Attitude
2. Motivation
3. Attention to Detail
4. Zing
5. Inclusiveness
6. Neighborhood Empowerment
7. Green Awareness

Thanks for listening and look forward to having you join us for the next episode.

 Links Mentions During Show:

• https://www.wsp.com/en-us/profiles/jannet-walker-ford

 ·       www.AmazingCities.org

·       www.AmazingCities.org/podcast to be a guest on the podcast

 

About Jannet Walker Ford:  

 

Jannet Walker-Ford is the Advisory and Planning Business Line Executive at WSP in the U.S. In this role, she is responsible for business performance, and integrating the firm’s technical expertise in planning, engineering, program/construction management and operations with the strategic problem-solving and communications needed by owners, developers and operators to assess, fund, and organize around successful delivery of infrastructure programs and projects across all business lines.

Previously, she served as National Transit and Rail Leader, responsible for leading and growing the firm’s business in national transit and rail markets including the national practices for transit and rail, freight delivery, passenger rail, systems, technical project delivery, bus rapid transit and zero emissions.

Jannet is a nationally recognized transportation industry executive, and a tireless advocate for equity in transportation and the power of public transit to transform communities. She has more than two decades of diverse expertise including management consulting, technology, mobility, and transportation systems.

Jannet is a graduate of the University of Memphis with a bachelor’s degree in management information systems and Central Michigan University with a Master of Business Administration degree. Recognized by WTS International with the inaugural Jannet Walker-Ford Breaking Barriers Award in 2024, Jannet has received numerous awards and serves on multiple national boards. She is the Immediate Past Chair of WTS International, the APTA Executive Committee, the Eno Center for Transportation and Jacksonville Board of Trustees. The broad range of recognition for her success and advocacy includes 2023 Railway Age Women in Rail, 2022 American Public Transportation Association’s Business Member of the Year, 2021 WTS Northeast Florida Woman of the Year, 2019 Transportation Diversity Council/Massachusetts Institute of Technology honoree for Services to the Transportation Industry, 2019 Women of Color STEM Technology All-Star Award, and a 2019 Conference of Minority Transportation Officials’ Women Who Move the Nation honoree.

About Your Host, Jim Hunt:

Welcome to the “Building Amazing Cities and Towns Podcast” … The podcast for Mayors, Council Members, Managers, Staff and anyone who is interested in building an Amazing City.

 

Your host is Jim Hunt, the author of “Bottom Line Green, How American Cities are Saving the Planet and Money Too” and his latest book, “The Amazing City - 7 Steps to Creating an Amazing City”

 

Jim is also the former President of the National League of Cities, 27 year Mayor, Council Member and 2006 Municipal Leader of the Year by American City and County Magazine.

 

Today, Jim speaks to 1000’s of local government officials each year in the US and abroad.

 

Jim also consults with businesses that are bringing technology and innovation to local government.

 

Amazing City Resources:

 

Buy Jim’s Popular Books:

·       The Amazing City: 7 Steps to Creating an Amazing City:   https://www.amazingcities.org/product-page/the-amazing-city-7-steps-to-creating-an-amazing-city

 

·       Bottom Line Green: How America’s Cities and Saving the Planet (And Money Too)  https://www.amazingcities.org/product-page/bottom-line-green-how-america-s-cities-are-saving-the-planet-and-money-too

 

FREE White Paper:

·       “10 Steps to Revitalize Your Downtown”  www.AmazingCities.org/10-Steps

 

Hire Jim to Speak at Your Next Event:

·       Tell us about your event and see if dates are available at www.AmazingCities.org/Speaking

 

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·       Discover more details at https://www.amazingcities.org/consulting

 

Discuss Your Business Opportunity/Product to Help Amazing Cities:

·       Complete the form at https://www.amazingcities.org/business-development

 

A Special Thanks to Bearing Advisors for the support of this podcast:  www.BearingAdvisors.Net