BIGGEST SURPRISE IN MARKETING TRANSIT:: That it took too long (and then some) for most of the transit administrators and planners to realize that, “Not true, that if you run them (buses) they (passengers) will come! Marketing and public relations has always had an important role in transit!”
BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN MARKETING TRANSIT: Show me the money…
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Everything from senior event planning and MLK parade committees, volunteering my PR skills, to memberships in professional organizations.
PERSONAL BACKGROUND: (family, pets, hobbies, pastimes, etc): So very proud of my two adult children. My handsome son, Esau, is a Senior Juvenile Probation Officer with Florida’s Dept. of Juvenile Justice. My lovely daughter, Ikeda, recently graduated from Kennesaw State University, GA, and landed a super job in her field of study – Behavioral Data Analyst working with autistic children. Jazz concerts and dancing are my favorite pastimes. And, I totally enjoy my family reunions in N.C. – get to see my other 5 adult siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, the elders…
CHILDHOOD AMBITION: The legal system and helping adolescents less fortunate who, for various reasons, end up taking the wrong path to nowhere. That’s the main reason why I studied social sciences in college. And, I was fortunate enough to land my first job working in the D.A.’s intake and adjudication section. Never thought I could solve the world’s problems – just be a small part of some of the solutions.
INSPIRATION: To write a book; and when retired, to join the senior-citizen arm of the Peace Corps and travel oversees to lend my professional expertise wherever I’m needed.
FAVORITE BOOK: “Roots”, by Alex Haley.
FAVORITE COLOR: Black
FAVORITE CANDY: Anything with pecans.
ANY OTHER RESPONSE/QUESTION THAT YOU’D LIKE TO RESPOND TO: Yes. Ask me if I had to do it over again, what would be different. I would respond: “I’d do it all over again, only the next time, knowing what I know now”! (smile)