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Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
As the WTS 2021-2022 term comes to a close, I’d like to express my gratitude for the following:
Thank you to YOU, our Philadelphia Chapter members and supporters. Your membership, support, attendance, participation, advocacy, and energy made this term unforgettable. Thank you to our corporate sponsors and agency partnerships. Without you, our programming, professional development, networking events, and leadership development would not exist.
Congrats to our Award recipients, our 2022 awardees honored at our Winter Wonderland Gala on December 1st for their personal contributions towards the advancement of women in our industry. You each have had an impact on the direction and focus of not only our industry, but the people who live, work and play here. I am looking forward to celebrating many more award winners with WTS for years to come! Congratulations to our student scholarship recipients. For 2022, our Foundation awarded a total of 10 scholarships totaling over $15,000 to deserving young women in high school and college – the future of our industry! Our TransportationYOU Program mentored over 50 middle school students during this term.
A very special thank you to the Executive Board – Api Appulingam, Abbey Gancz, Alexis Williams, Tamara Nicholson, and Patti Gibson; and our Board of Directors consisting of 12 committees and task forces of over 30 volunteers. This term’s success lies on the foundation created by this Board and our predecessors. Thank you to WTS advisors, past presidents, and executive round table.
A personal thank you to my husband, Rick Antoine, family, friends, co-workers, and Burns Engineering.
Our Chapter takes pride in executing our core mission – creating a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable transportation industry through the advancement of women. I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve as the Chapter President.
It has been such a pleasure to serve such a fantastic chapter. As I pass the metaphorical Presidential baton to Api, I wish everyone the best and cannot wait to see what WTS has in store for 2023!
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Meet Our 2023-2024 Executive Board!
We are proud to announce our Executive Board for the 2023-2024 Term, elected by acclamation. Congratulations to our officers!
TOP Left to Right:
President | Api Appulingam, PE, CM, City of Phila. - Department of Aviation
President Elect | Abbey Gancz, PE, LEED AP, Urban Engineering
Vice President | Alexis Williams, AICP, PP, STV
Secretary | Tamara Nicholson, PMP, PgMP, Unicorn Consulting Solutions
Treasurer | Jaclyn Whelan, PE, Conrail
Immediate Past President | Erica Antoine, PE, Burns Engineering
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Winter Wonderland Awards Gala |
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Photos courtesy of Stokes Creative Group
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Positive Train Control (PTC) Tech Session |
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On November 3rd, 77 attendees joined us for our first hybrid-style meeting. The presenters were Joe Sanfilippo, Director of PTC, Communications & Signal Department, Amtrak, and Michael Ehrenberger, Project Manager - Signals, Communications & Train Control Group, Burns Engineering.
Our speakers defined “What is Positive Train Control (PTC)?”, discussed its history, current and future developments of PTC, and reviewed recommended safety measures to take when encountering a moving train. Learn more about PTC and the event!
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Get Engaged & Stay Involved |
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WTS Committees
Our vibrant committees are always accepting volunteers - there truly is something for everyone. If you are interested in joining a committee, reach out to the corresponding Committee Director. Contact our Chapter Relations Director with questions.
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JOINT DINNER MEETING
with ASHE Delaware Valley Section
February 15, 2023
Maggiano's, King of Prussia
Speaker: Ms. Mittal Patel, PE/PennDOT Asset Management Manager will present the District’s IDA Storm emergency projects and process
Other speaker(s) TBD!
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Our Member Spotlights recognize true believers & achievers
in the WTS Philadelphia chapter and mission!
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Leslie Richards
SEPTA
General Manager & CEO
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Stan Niemczak
JACOBS
Operations Leader (PA & DE), Buildings & Infrastructure Americas
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Erica Antoine
BURNS ENGINEERING
Project Manager
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Our Student Outreach program has two sides:
Transportation YOU: a STEM Outreach program for girls ages 13 - 18
Student Chapter: a college-based community that focuses on preparing regional
students to be active & successful members of the transportation industry
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Our 2022 - 2023 Scholarship Recipients! |
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This month WTS Philadelphia awarded 10 high school, undergraduate and graduate scholarships to students who exhibited significant academic achievement and dedication to the STEM and transportation industry through their involvement in professional societies and/or career advancement. Scholarship recipients were invited to the WTS Philadelphia Winter Wonderland Awards Gala to network with industry professionals, and celebrated during the 2022 Emerging Leaders and Scholarship Reception at the Pyramid Club. See photos!
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Transportation YOU (TrYOU) |
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College Panel and Resume Workshop |
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WTS Philadelphia TrYOU and our Student Chapter held the flagship college panel event at STV, Inc. The panel was moderated by WTS Philadelphia Student Outreach Director, Faye Majekodunmi, and featured Student Chapter members, Parisa Hosseini, Emily Simkovich, Gwen Pfister and Bingchu Chen. The panelists engaged in an open discussion regarding resumes, college applications, job interviews, and college life in general to help equip the TrYOU students for their bright futures. After the panel, TrYOU Vice-Chair, Gina Venuto, led a resume workshop and the TrYOU mentors worked with the mentees to live edit an example resume.
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Registration for the TrYOU is currently on a rolling basis, if you know a young lady between the ages 13-18 interested in S.T.E.A.M, sign her up today here!
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Last month, the WTS Philadelphia Student Chapter hosted a bowling night to provide students with a break during finals week. Students from University of Pennsylvania, Rowan University, Drexel University, Villanova and Temple University were able to network, bond over strikes and seek resume help from our WTS Philadelphia volunteers. |
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To kick off the Fall semester, the Student Chapter held a Speed Mentoring event, hosted by STV Inc. Students from the University of Pennsylvania, Rowan University, Drexel University, and Temple University were able to meet and network with members of the WTS Philadelphia chapter. In our next session, students will be paired with WTS Philadelphia professionals from Gannett Fleming, Burns Engineering, Delaware River Port Authority, DVRPC, RK&K, Stokes, JMT, STV, Unicorn Consulting Solutions, Haines & Kibblehouse, Amtrak, WSP, Hatch and AECOM to provide career advice and professional development tips. |
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Assunta Daprano, EIT of AECOM and Christina Arlt, AICP of McCormick Taylor were accepted into WTS International’s Signature Leadership Training program in the Mid-Career track, which was held in October in Washington, DC!
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Faye Majekodunmi, PE of Gannett Fleming and WTS Philadelphia Student Outreach Director, authored a blog post on "Fostering Professional Development Though Mentorship." The article covers the benefits of a mentor/mentee relationship and how to foster connections. Read more!
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Congratulations to Jenn Walsh, PE of HDR on receiving the MASITE Donald M. McNeil Jr. Award! This award represents long-term service to the organization and the transportation profession.
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After 16 years under the leadership of Barry Seymour, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) has appointed Ariella Maron to serve as its new Executive Director. Maron will become the fifth Executive Director and first woman to lead DVRPC in its 57-year history! Read more!
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The Philadelphia International Airport | Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PHL PNE) named Atif Saeed, AAE, IAP Chief Executive Officer on December 1st. Read more!
More news from PHL PNE: The City of Philadelphia’s Division of Aviation received the 2022 "Airports Going Green" (AGG) Outstanding Sustainability Infrastructure Development Award for PHL's Remain Overnight (RON) apron project. Read more!
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Urban Engineering staff were excited to celebrate the completion of the Filbert Street Transformation project last month. The firm has been proud to team with Ground Reconsidered to provide design and construction support services for this great new outdoor space in Philadelphia. Learn more here. |
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SEPTA named Emmanuella Myrthil their first Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer. In this newly created role, she will provide the vision, leadership and direction for SEPTA’s diversity and equity programs, including the Diversity, Equity, and Belonging (DEB) strategy and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) programs.
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Railway Age has announced the 2022 Women in Rail Award winners. Congratulations to Honoree, Elizabeth Smith, Chief of Staff, SEPTA, and Honorable Mention, Alanna Strohecker, Vice President - Global Goods Movement Director, AECOM, on your recognition! Read more!
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From left to right: Shiny Mathew, JMT | Erica Antoine, Burns Engineering | Theresa Loux, Aero Aggrergates of North America | Heather Riebeling, AECOM
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Have some good news to share?
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Visit our website for exciting opportunities with our
corporate and agency partners!
Current openings include positions with:
Amtrak | Burns | CTDOT | Drive Engineering | FHA | HDR
Hunt Engineering | JBC | McMahon | Michael Baker Int'l
SEPTA | Susquehanna Civil | TPD
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If you'd like to list a job opportunity, please complete this form.
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WTS Philadelphia | Contact Us
The Philadelphia Chapter of WTS was formed by 12 women on June 21, 1979.
Since its formation, the Philadelphia Chapter has focused on
promoting the development and advancement of women in the transportation industry.
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