Celebrating Transit Leaders: Nominees Announced for Transit Champion and Transit Development of the Year

The Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee is excited to announce the nominees for our annual Transit Champion of the Year and Transit Development of the Year awards! Winners will be celebrated at our Breakfast for Better Mobility on Thursday, October 30, at the Sheraton Music City.

These awards recognize the individuals, organizations, and projects making a real difference in how Middle Tennessee moves. This year’s nominees showcase the creativity, collaboration, and commitment it takes to advance transit and mobility across our region.

Transit Champion Nominees

• Mayor Rogers Anderson, Williamson County

• Steve Bland, President and CEO, WeGo Public Transit (MTA & RTA)

• Michael Briggs, Deputy Chief Program Officer, Choose How You Move

• Koby Langner, Livability Planner, Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure

• Meredith Montgomery, Executive Director, Walk Bike Nashville

• Mayor Ken Moore, City of Franklin

• Tom Rose, Public Works Director, Town of Smyrna

• Spencer Sharpe, Transit Rider and Advocate

• Jeff Syracuse, Former District 15 Councilmember

• Gaye Lynn Wilson, Executive Director, Wilson Rides, Inc.

Transit Development or Initiative Nominees

• Murfreesboro Transit’s New Transit Center

• Nashville Connector

• Town of Smyrna’s Safe Streets for All

• Wilson Rides Inc.

Last year’s honorees set a high bar: Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell was recognized as Transit Champion of the Year for his long-term advocacy for transit improvements and leadership on Choose How You Move, Nashville’s comprehensive transportation improvement program.

The Dr. Ernest “Rip” Patton Jr. North Nashville Transit Center earned Transit Development of the Year for its collaborative design with the North Nashville community, creating a hub for mobility, access to opportunity, and community pride—a space that celebrates history while looking toward the future.

“This year’s nominees span the region with champions and projects from Davidson, Rutherford, Williamson, and Wilson Counties,” said Jessica Dauphin, President and CEO of the Transit Alliance. “We are beyond proud to celebrate the contributions of these indiviudals and teams at our event.”

The Breakfast for Better Mobility will also feature inspiring keynote speakers: Chris Lloyd, Senior VP & Director of Infrastructure & Economic Development at McGuireWoods Consulting, and Janet Miller, a local powerhouse recognized for her lifetime of leadership and service in Nashville.

Tables and tickets are available now. Join us for a morning of networking, celebration, and inspiration: thetransitalliance.org/events/breakfast-for-better-mobility-1.