Menu
Ferzan Ahmed, Executive Director, Ohio Turnpike & Infrastructure Commission
Ferzan is a native of Pakistan who came to America in 1985 to pursue higher education. He attended Kansas State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Ferzan began his career in transportation as an Engineer in Training at the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in District Six. He managed multiple construction projects in District 6 for 15 years. He ascended through the ranks and moved to engineering design to become the project manager on the I-70/I-71 reconstruction program, which was ODOT’s largest construction project at the time.
In 2011, he was appointed as the Deputy Director of ODOT District 6, where he oversaw all ODOT activities in eight counties in Central Ohio including Franklin County. During his tenure, Central Ohio citizens experienced the completion of some of Ohio’s largest construction projects. In 2016, the Delaware County Commissioners appointed him as the Administrator of Delaware County, Ohio’s fastest-growing county. There, he led the effort to create a formal budget process and county-performance metrics.
Most recently, Ferzan served as a Vice President and leader of AECOM’s Ohio Transportation practice. In that role, he worked with ODOT as AECOM’s Project Principal for DriveOhio autonomous and connected vehicle deployment projects and the MORPC Hyperloop Feasibility Study.
Ferzan is a registered Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering and formerly served as the Chair of the Ohio Board of Registration for Engineers and Surveyors. He is married to Cathy, and has a daughter, two sons, and two grandchildren. He loves to travel and meet new people.
Rick Fedder, Chief Operating Officer, Indiana Toll Road
Rick Fedder currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for ITR Concession Company (ITRCC), operators of the Indiana Toll Road (ITR). In his current capacity he oversees all operational aspects of the business, including Roadway/Facilities Maintenance, Employee Health and Safety, Infrastructure and Civil Engineering, Traffic Management Center, Project Management, and Emergency Management.
Joining the Indiana Toll Road in 2000, Rick was appointed to the COO role in 2015.
A graduate of St. Joseph’s College with a degree in business administration, Rick resides in Granger, IN with his wife and children.
Craig Shuey, Chief Operating Officer, Pennsylvania Turnpike
Craig Shuey was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Turnpike Commission in January 2011; in that role, he is responsible for oversight, management and strategic planning for the day-to-day operation of the 565 miles of Turnpike and direct oversight of six departments, including Toll Collection Operations, Traffic Engineering and Operations, Maintenance and Human Resources. He previously served two terms as the Chair of the E-ZPass Group’s Executive Management Committee and remains as the Turnpike’s representative.
A Bloomsburg University graduate majoring in Political Science, Craig had previously served as the Turnpike’s government affairs director, joining the Commission in August of 2009. He served 15 years with the Pennsylvania Senate and was Executive Director of the Senate Transportation Committee.
Colin Bird, Consul General of Canada in Detroit
Colin Bird (ALB Hons [Government Studies], Harvard University, 1994; LLB Hons, University of Ottawa, 2003) joined Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada in 2009. He has served as counsel to the NAFTA Secretariat and in the department’s Trade Law Bureau, where he focused on trade remedies and aerospace and softwood lumber trade issues, and he was a director in the North America Bureau of the Trade Negotiations Branch. Until 2019, Mr. Bird served as minister-counsellor for trade and economic policy at the embassy in Washington, D.C., where he was responsible for all aspects of the United States-Canada trade relationship, including the 2 countries’ cooperation in multilateral forums. He has also represented Canada before dispute settlement panels and the Appellate Body at the World Trade Organization. Most recently, he was the executive director in the Trade Policy Branch responsible for multilateral trade matters, particularly Canada’s membership in the World Trade Organization, and served as Canada’s senior trade official at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, where he chaired the Trade Committee, and at the G7 and G20.
Paul Baumer, Deputy Director, USDOT Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy
Paul Baumer serves as the Acting Deputy Director for Infrastructure in the Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy in the Office of the Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy. He is responsible for implementing the National Freight Policy, developing the National Multimodal Freight Network and National Freight Strategic Plan, and advising on DOT leadership on freight infrastructure programs. Until September 2023, he was served as the program manager for the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant program, which included oversight of the INFRA, Mega, and Rural grant programs that have collectively awarded $7.8 billion in federal discretionary grant funding to 165 projects across the country.
Prior to 2016, he served as an analyst and policy advisor within the Office of the Under Secretary with focuses on freight and goods movement, infrastructure finance, and project delivery. In 2014, he helped establish the Build America Transportation Investment Center at U.S. DOT, which would later merge into the Build America Bureau.
Prior to joining U.S. DOT in 2010, Mr. Baumer worked for the Economic Directorate of the Census Bureau and in the Office of Financial Services Industries in the International Trade Administration. He has a BA in International Affairs and an MA in International Trade and Investment Policy from George Washington University.
William D. Friedman, President & CEO, Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority
William D. Friedman became president and CEO of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority in June 2010. Under Mr. Friedman’s leadership, the Port of Cleveland has experienced a resurgence in maritime trade and long-sought diversification of cargo types. In 2014, the Port launched the Cleveland-Europe Express service, revitalizing shipping via the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway system and solidifying Cleveland’s position as its leading international hub.
Mr. Friedman has more than 25 years of experience in port management, real estate development, the international supply chain and multimodal distribution. He served as vice president, ports and logistics for Duke Realty Corp. from 2004 to 2009, helping the company expand to key port and inland logistics hubs including the Port of Savannah and the Rickenbacker Global Logistics Park in Columbus, Ohio. Before joining Duke Realty, Mr. Friedman was CEO of the Ports of Indiana from 2000 to 2004, where he improved financial results, increased cargo volumes, and secured more private investment, resulting in a record $1.5 billion annual economic impact statewide. Prior to that, Mr. Friedman spent 10 years with the Port of Seattle serving in a variety of management roles including director of seaport strategic planning, general manager of cargo piers and industrial properties, and senior harbor development planner. Mr. Friedman’s work in Seattle enabled a $600 million expansion of one of the nation’s primary container ports. Mr. Friedman is President of the American Great Lakes Ports Association and serves on numerous industry and civic boards including the Executive Committee of the American Association of Port Authorities, Green Marine, the Northeast Ohio Development Fund, the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, and the Cuyahoga County Economic Development Commission. Mr. Friedman holds two degrees from Indiana University: a bachelor’s degree in history, and a master’s degree in public administration with a concentration in urban and regional planning.
Andrew Bremer, Managing Director of Local Affairs, DriveOhio
Andrew Bremer currently serves as the Managing Director of Local Affairs for DriveOhio, interfacing with Ohio’s communities and ensuring the coordinated implementation of DriveOhio’s automated and connected vehicle standards. Specifically, Andrew serves as the program manager for the US33 Smart Mobility Corridor, coordinating public sector response to private sector development and testing needs. He also serves as project manager for the I-70 Truck Automation Corridor; a $8.8 million project to facilitate truck automation technology adoption. He also represents DriveOhio, on behalf of ODOT, to a regional collaborative for “smart transportation” known as the Smart Belt Coalition; consisting of the states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Andrew formerly served at the Ohio Department of Transportation as the Deputy Director of Strategic Initiatives and Programs overseeing ODOT’s initial project development of automated and connected technologies and infrastructure.
Andrew earned undergraduate degrees in History and International Studies and a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from the Ohio State University. He resides in central Ohio with his wife and two children. He hopes that automated technology will allow him to one day pull into the driveway without destroying his children’s favorite outdoor toys.
Tim Brown, Ohio Rail Development Commission
Tim Brown has been with the Ohio Rail Development Commission for over 9 years. He serves in a variety of roles, including environmental coordinator for federally-funded projects undertaken by the Rail Commission and project manager for the Rail Commission’s railroad rehabilitation grant program. Mr. Brown managed the development of the 2019 State Rail Plan and 2022 Safety Action Plan and is currently managing the development of the State Rail Plan Update.
Mr. Brown holds a Master of City and Regional Planning degree from the Ohio State University.
James Bryant, Administrator of the Office of Aviation, ODOT
James joined the Ohio Department of Transportation in September 2004, where he currently holds the position of Administrator of the Office of Aviation. In this role, his responsibilities involve the planning, directing, and administering of ODOT’s flight operations, aircraft maintenance and aviation programs sections. Prior to ODOT, Bryant had a distinguished career with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, serving for 31 years and retiring as Commander of the Patrol’s Aviation Section. He has been a pilot for over 40 years and holds a single-engine, multi-engine, rotorcraft, instrument and commercial certification.
Maynard Factor, Vice President of Business Development, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Unmanned Systems Division
Maynard Factor is the Vice President of Business Development for the Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Unmanned Systems Division. He is responsible for the generation of new business opportunities, world-wide sales and marketing, and provides technical direction for long-range strategic planning including the development of new products, capabilities, and internal research and development endeavors. Mr. Factor offers an extensive background in driverless vehicle, ground robotics, and unmanned systems technology which has been integral in leading the company’s efforts towards expanding its Autonomous Vehicle (AV) presence in the military and commercial markets. Mr. Factor holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida and a Master of Business Administration from the University of West Florida.
Abbi Failla, EASE
Abbi Failla has over 20 years of experience in strategy, innovation, and performance transformation. Joining EASE in 2021, Abbi created and built-out their first-ever Strategy and Innovation department playing an integral part in making EASE Logistics one of the most innovative companies in the logistics industry. Focusing on innovation, sustainability, and philanthropy, Abbi was awarded the Smart50 Innovation Award, has been named one of the Top Women to Watch in Transportation and lead EASE to be named Fortune’s 2023 Most Innovative Transportation Company in America, and a Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Award Honoree.
Abbi grew up in EASE’s hometown of Dublin, Ohio, graduated from Ohio University, and now resides at Indian Lake.
Rachel Ellenberger, Industry Engagement Manager, North American Council for Freight
Rachel Ellenberger is the Industry Engagement Manager for the North American Council for Freight Efficiency – known to the industry as NACFE. NACFE is a nonprofit organization with staff located all across the country, and in Mexico, dedicated to providing the industry with independent, unbiased research on the benefits and consequences of various efficiency technologies to help fleets, manufacturers and others make the best decisions for their operations. As the Industry Engagement Manager, Rachel helps manage NACFE’s relationships with organization sponsors and members of the trucking industry. Rachel has worked in the alternative fuels and nonprofit industries for five years. As a previous Director at Ohio’s U.S. Department of Energy designated Clean Cities Coalition, Rachel maintains relationships with many of the countries Clean Cities Coalitions.
In addition to the work she does at NACFE, Rachel is also the owner and principal consultant of Green Seed Collective LLC, a consulting firm that works with nonprofit companies across the country to create project management and strategic growth solutions.
Joe Ferenczy, Division Director and Principal, Osborn Engineering
Joe Ferenczy is the Division Director of Infrastructure and Principal at Osborn Engineering. His career includes over 30 years of experience in the design and construction of public and private infrastructure projects including numerous large-scale urban engineering projects, studies, and design reports. Joe is responsible for the overall planning and production of the Infrastructure Division including transportation, water resources, site development, municipal and sports field related projects for numerous public and private clients. Responsibilities have included conceptualization, planning, project design, plan preparation, specifications, utility and governmental approvals, construction administration, and project financing. Additionally, Joe served as the project manager and principal in charge for the Irishtown Bend Rehabilitation and Stabilization Project, a $60M+ major infrastructure project aimed at stabilizing the hillside along the west bank of the Cuyahoga River between Detroit Avenue and Columbus Road.
Bryant L. Francis, Director of Port Control, City of Cleveland
Bryant L. Francis, originally from Harrisburg, PA, has had a lifelong passion for aviation. He pursued that passion at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management. His entire 28-year professional career has been spent at U.S. Airports, with 12-years at the Director level. He joined the City of Cleveland as Director of Port Control in May 2023, where he leads a team of 350+ operating Ohio’s busiest passenger airport. Port Control, with an annual operating budget of $180 million, consists of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Burke Lakefront Airport, and North Coast Harbor along the shores of Lake Erie. Francis is leading the upcoming customer experience transformation of Cleveland Hopkins’ terminal campus and related facilities, anticipated to begin by the end of 2025. This initiative, titled the Terminal Modernization Development Program, will be the largest and most comprehensive infrastructure improvement effort in the nearly 100-year history of Cleveland Hopkins. He proudly represents Cleveland through several industry organizations, including the American Association of Airport Executives, Airports Council International – North America, and the Airport Minority Advisory Council. Francis currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Aerozone Alliance as well as the Ohio Aviation Association. Both organizations exist to promote the economic well-being of aviation, with Aerozone specifically focused on commercial development and job creation surrounding Cleveland Hopkins.
Geoffrey Gates, Senior Director of P2P and Technology for Supply Chain and Support Services, Cleveland Clinic
Geoffrey Gates is the Senior Director of P2P and Technology for Supply Chain and Support Services at Cleveland Clinic. In his role, Mr. Gates leads a multi-disciplinary team with direct oversight of data management, analytics, procure-to-pay, technology deployment, innovation, and resiliency. Mr. Gates’ direct reports support teams in both the US and UK.
Mr. Gates’ experience in healthcare spans almost 20 years, with expertise in supply chain management, hospital operations, process improvement and data management. He joined Cleveland Clinic in 2018 as a Materials Management Director and led the day-to-day operations for four hospitals in Ohio.
Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic, he held multiple positions at Cardinal Health, including Operations Director and Process Improvement Consultant where he obtained his Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
Mr. Gates graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in Global Supply Chain Management from Indiana University.
Michael L. Hillman, President & Director of Flight Operations, JETS FBO & Chief Risk Management Officer, Beecher Carlson
Mike achieved his private pilot license at age 17 and now has his Airline Transport rating and a great deal of flight and management experience with multiple aircraft and flight departments.
He has served as Flight Instructor, a FAA Part 135 Director of Flight Operations and FAA Check Airman.
Mike has owned and operated a flight school and multiple aircraft. He currently owns and operates multiple Fixed Based Operator locations in Ohio, while managing and flying corporate aircraft.
Across 30+ years of risk management and aviation experience, Mike has enjoyed his roles in both the cockpit and as a leader in the industries he serves.
Sherry Kish, Manager Business Development, HNTB
Sherry Kish has been with HNTB for 7 years and has focused on emerging technology projects on the ground and in the air. She is currently the data management and privacy lead for DriveOhio’s I-70 Truck Automation Corridor and for TxDOT’s ConnectSmart program. Sherry has also had the pleasure of working with over 10 states on their National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure plans.
Randy Lane, Statewide Planning Manager, ODOT
Randy Lane is the Statewide Planning Manager for the Ohio Department of Transportation, responsible for development of the state’s long-range transportation and supporting plans, statewide freight and maritime coordination, and oversight of regional transportation planning programs administered by Ohio’s Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) and Rural Transportation Planning Organization’s (RTPO). Prior to his current role, Randy served as Administrator of ODOT’s Office of Local Programs and the Director of Programming for the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA), the MPO for the Cleveland urbanized area.
Hrishue Mahalaha, Executive Director, Aerozone
Hrishue Mahalaha is the Executive Director of the placebased economic development organization, Aerozone Alliance. He is also the Chief Economic Advisor at Innovation Economy Partners.
Hrishue has over a decade of experience working with the management consulting firm Accenture. During this time, Hrishue worked closely with a variety of domestic and international, public and private organizations. Hrishue also has launched a variety of entrepreneurial ventures that spanned from medical devices to a restaurant.
Hrishue holds an MBA from Columbia University and a B.A. in Psychology and B.S. Business Management from Case Western Reserve University. Hrishue lives in Cleveland with his wife and three children.
Derek Schafer, Executive Director, West Creek
Derek has been with West Creek since 2004 and has served as the Executive Director since 2013. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Policy and Analysis with a specialization in Natural Resource Management from Bowling Green State University.
Derek leads the organization’s mission to protect land and water resources, implement park and trail development as well as habitat restoration initiatives and strategic watershed planning. Derek believes strongly in partnerships and regional collaboration enabling effective use of resources; progress through partnerships.
Within the West Creek team, Derek is responsible for real estate negotiations and related transactions; habitat restoration planning and implementation; park, trail and Greenway development; community/regional partnerships; grant/foundation development and respective management and implementation.
You will find Derek trapsing around all of Ohio hiking, fishing, camping, and kayaking, as well as enjoying Ohio’s amazing craft breweries!
Linda Sternheimer, Senior Vice President of Urban Planning & Engagement, Port of Cleveland
Linda Sternheimer is the Senior Vice President of Urban Planning and Engagement for the Port of Cleveland heading up planning and development initiatives as well as special projects which benefit from community engagement activities. Among other things Ms. Sternheimer is responsible for management of the stabilization efforts at Irishtown Bend (ITB) and Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve (CLNP) and the visionary Cleveland Harbor Eastern Embayment Resilience Strategy (CHEERS). CHEERS is a visionary effort to transform Cleveland’s east side Lake Erie waterfront using sediment dredged from the Cuyahoga River to create a shoreline that is protective of infrastructure yet available for people.
Ms. Sternheimer has dedicated her professional career to issues around urban redevelopment from low-income housing to real estate planning and development. She is a member of the American Planning Associations, Urban Land Institute.
Jim Thompson, Capital Programs Manager, NOACA
Jim Thompson is the Capital Programs Manager at NOACA. He’s worked there for 10 years in varying capacities. Many of his roles at NOACA involved administering federal funding programs tied to transportation infrastructure projects around the region. Before joining NOACA Jim worked at OSU Extension, Cuyahoga County, managing the City of Cleveland’s Summer Sprout community gardening program. Jim has a Bachelor of Science from Kent State University, and a Master of City and Regional Planning Degree from The Ohio State University.
Matt Wenham, Port of Cleveland
Matt Wenham joined the Port of Cleveland in early 2024 with excitement to lead the implementation of our Decarbonization & Electrification program in pursuit of the Climate Action Plan. He leads the program and all capital projects for the Port Authority facilities. This role involves procurement, program/project management, and compliance with grant assurances. Part of his role is outreach to diverse contractors and professional service firms.
His career includes more than 25 years in the private sector, most recently leading a national consulting practice for planning, design, and construction of projects for airports. He is a PE in several states and Envision Sustainability Professional.
Joel Wimbiscus, Senior Project Manager, LAND Studios
Joel coordinates the organization’s work on the Irishtown Bend Park project. His work on this future park is a natural extension of his prior park design and construction management experience in several park and trail projects in the Flats and Downtown. Joel led LAND studio’s involvement in the development of the Cleveland Foundation Centennial Lake Link Trail, the Red Line Greenway, the Wendy Park Bridge, Crooked River Skate Park, and Perk Park. Currently and in the past, he has managed public art and greenspace projects in Downtown, Clark-Fulton, University Circle, Buckeye, Tremont, St. Clair Superior and Glenville neighborhoods. Prior to joining ParkWorks (LAND studio’s predecessor) in 2006, Joel worked in the planning department of University Circle Incorporated and as a high school teacher in Michigan and Peru. Joel lives with his family in the Ohio City neighborhood. He has served on Ohio City, Inc’s Board of Trustees since 2007 and chairs its Real Estate & Land Use committee. Joel holds a BA from Kenyon College, a JD from the University of Memphis Law School, and a Master of Urban, Design and Development from Cleveland State University.