2025 Power Players in Transportation

Jennifer Aument is CEO of The New Terminal One, a new world-class international terminal being built at John F. Kennedy Airport along with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, as the largest public-private partnership in the nation. Jennifer brings more than 25 years of experience in developing and delivering major infrastructure projects across the highway, rail, airport and port sectors, with a focus on public-private partnerships.

How can policymakers support the transportation industry?
Policymakers can play an important role in addressing transportation needs by requiring or incentivizing government decision makers to examine the potential use of public-private partnerships before embarking on major, complex transportation programs. While it’s not the right model for every project, there are opportunities where governments can leverage private capital to help deliver more, drive innovation and reduce risk to taxpayers.

Is there a transportation improvement or project that you hope to see completed in 2025?
We are fortunate that we have so many impactful projects underway in the region, from the Hudson Tunnel to the Midtown Bus Terminal. I am biased, but there just isn’t anything more exciting than the transformation of JFK International Airport, of which my team and I are proud to be a major part. We are transforming a top gateway to the United States into an airport of a scale and grandeur worthy of New York. 

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
A mentor taught me very early in my career that the most important thing you do as a leader is take care of your team. Delivering infrastructure is a complicated business that requires persistence over many years. You must have the right talent in place and work every day to ensure they have what they need to succeed, including support in managing the demands of work and family and opportunities to grow in their careers.

Carm Basile is CEO of the Capital District Transportation Authority in Albany. Basile has developed innovative strategies to deliver high-quality services and programs to the people of the Capital Region. Under Basile’s leadership, the organization has grown Universal Access agreements with area colleges and businesses, increased mobility options throughout the region by adding three Bus Rapid Transit lines, on-demand services, a bikeshare program with 650 electric and pedal bikes, and an all-electric carshare program. 

Selvena N. Brooks-Powers represents the 31st City Council District, which includes the communities of Arverne, Brookville, Edgemere, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens, Rosedale, and Far Rockaway. She is the first-ever Black woman to serve as majority whip of the City Council as well as chair of its Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Marc Buncher is president and CEO of Siemens Mobility North America. Under Buncher’s leadership, the organization has seen tremendous gains in growth and market share. This includes the largest order in the company’s 160 years it’s been doing business within the U.S. and announcements of a $220 million investment in a rail manufacturing and service hub in Lexington, NC, and a $60 million investment into America’s first true high-speed rail production facility in Horseheads, NY.

How can policymakers support the transportation industry?
Now is the time for policymakers to actively engage in public-private partnerships. As technology advances at an incredible pace, every level of government should strengthen its collaboration with the private sector. By leveraging private sector expertise, we can collectively build a more robust, reliable, and innovative transportation network that meets the demands of the future and addresses emerging challenges. This proactive approach will ensure an equitable and efficient transportation system for all.

Is there a transportation improvement or project that you hope to see completed in 2025?
We successfully implemented Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) for the MTA on the Culver Street Line this year, and we’re looking forward to expanding CBTC service to the entire Queens Boulevard Line in 2025. We’re also anticipating the entry of dual-mode locomotives into service for Metro North. Not only are these faster, but they produce fewer emissions than conventionally powered trains. Both projects will improve the speed and efficiency of New Yorkers’ commutes every day.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
“Control your own destiny, or someone else will.” As a former GE employee, this quote from former CEO Jack Welch resonates with me. As CEO, you need to innovate and understand where the market is going before your competitors, or you will not succeed long-term. That’s why I stress the importance of being market leaders. We’re always talking about the strategy, operational excellence, project management expertise, and talent we need to stay at the forefront.

Charlie is a highly accomplished business development executive with more than 20 years of subject matter expertise in the emerging smart mobility transportation sector. He possesses industry leading experience and verifiable achievements in developing and managing customer growth and retention, as well as new business for the largest photo enforcement and road safety program in the world. He has experience with federal, state, and local governments, companies, and trade associations.

How can policymakers support the transportation industry?
Policymakers can support the transportation industry by doing a couple of things: streamline the regulatory process to promote innovation and sustainable transportation initiatives; provide incentives for the adoption of alternative powered vehicles, promoting fuel-efficient technologies, and supporting research into alternative fuels; leverage the use of automated enforcement to change driver behavior; and fostering partnerships between government agencies, industry stakeholders, and the public to develop comprehensive transportation strategies.

Is there a transportation improvement or project that you hope to see completed in 2025?
In 2025, I hope to kick-off the largest Red Light Camera expansion initiative in NYC, since the program began, quadrupling the size of the program, from 150 intersections being enforced to 600 intersections.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
Treating people with utmost respect means valuing their worth and abilities, accepting them as equals, and giving them the same consideration you would expect for yourself. My mentor has helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses, provided valuable feedback, and encouraged me to take on new challenges. Additionally, my mentor has introduced me to new networking opportunities and has helped me develop a strong sense of direction for my career.

Michael Carrube began his career in NYCT in 1989 as a train conductor. In 1993, he was elected shop steward. He then served as TWU 100 division chairman from 1997 to 2004. In 2007, he was promoted to supervisor and joined the Subway-Surface Supervisors Association. In 2010, he was elected section VP. In 2014, he was elected SSSA president. In 2018, he created the National Association of Transportation Supervisors, representing supervisors and managers. Michael was re-elected SSSA president in 2024

After her 12-year-old son Sammy was killed in 2013, Amy Cohen joined with others and helped found Families for Safe Streets (FSS). FSS confronts the preventable epidemic of traffic violence by advocating for life-saving changes and providing support to those personally affected by crashes in our communities. This burgeoning national movement started in NYC where the founding chapter had numerous legislative successes including its most recent victory, Sammy’s Law, named after Amy’s son.

How can policymakers support the transportation industry?
We need our leaders to support the proven solutions to save lives – focusing on safe speeds, safe roads and safe vehicles, while also encouraging people to get around by walking, biking and public transit so that there are fewer cars on our streets.

Is there a transportation improvement or project that you hope to see completed in 2025?
We are fighting to ensure that reckless drivers who disproportionately cause harm on our streets are mandated to have proven anti-speeding technology installed in their cars so that they are stopped before they kill or injure someone. We hope everyone will join in support of the NYS Speed Limiters for Repeat Offenders bill.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
It is important to be strategic and persistent. Bring together others who have been affected in this preventable public health crisis – because together we are powerful. We don’t give up. It is hard and painful to share our stories but we do it because we don’t want anyone else to endure the heartache of losing someone they love or suffering injuries in a preventable crash.

New York State Senator Leroy Comrie represents the 14th Senatorial District of Queens which includes portions of Jamaica, Cambria Heights, Queens Village, Hollis, St. Albans, Laurelton, Jamaica Estates, Briarwood, Hillcrest and Kew Gardens. He currently serves as the chairman of the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, which gives him oversight over the state’s 150+ public authorities including the MTA and Port Authority.

Senator Cooney was adopted from an orphanage in Kolkata, India and raised by a single mother in the City of Rochester. He made history in 2020 as the first Asian American elected to state office from upstate New York. Earlier this year, Senator Cooney was named chair of the NYS Senate Transportation Committee where he has championed investments into public transit, infrastructure improvements, and the potential benefits of high-speed rail.

Confirmed as Amtrak board director in June 2010, Mr. Coscia was elected board chair in 2013 and has served as vice chair of the Audit and Finance Committee since July 2011. He is also a partner at Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP. Coscia is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and received his Bachelor of Science and J.D. degree from Rutgers University School of Law.

How can policymakers support the transportation industry?
Funding and partnership. We just received dedicated funding to advance several local infrastructure projects. But, after years of underinvestment, this is only a down payment. The long-term solution is to fully modernize the 100+ year-old infrastructure Amtrak inherited upon its creation in 1971. We value the support of the state and federal delegations and will collaborate on more investments to deliver current projects on time, safely and within budget. 

Is there a transportation improvement or project that you hope to see completed in 2025?
Amtrak’s NextGen Acela fleet, scheduled to enter service on the Northeast Corridor in Spring 2025, will upgrade the travel experience for millions of passengers and set the stage for the next generation of train travel in America and on the Northeast Corridor via enhancements in comfort, technology, innovation, and safety on Amtrak’s most efficient fleet of trains to date. These trains will also become the fastest in operation in the United States.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
Focus on the work to be done. Operate with a recognition that our efforts are not about us, but on the work that needs to get done.