AITX
AITX has appointed Folu Adepitan as Vice President of Leasing, South to strengthen its growth in the Houston, Tex., region and to underscore its continued investment in the energy sector. She will report to Jon Mudronja, who recently joined the company as Senior Vice President of Commercial Leasing, Western U.S.
A 2022 Railway Age 25 Under 40 honoree, Adepitan has previously held commercial and sales leadership roles at Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific Kansas City. She also serves on the Board for the Southwest Association of Rail Shippers (SWARS). Adepitan earned an MBA in management and economics and B.S. in marketing, finance, and banking from the University of Nebraska Omaha.
“The Houston market is integral to the rail industry and one of the most dynamic regions in North America,” AITX Chief Commercial Officer Tina Beckberger said. “Folu brings a fresh, customer-focused perspective, a deep understanding of the rail markets, and a proven ability to deliver creative solutions. Her leadership will support our mission to develop strong partnerships and deliver leasing strategies that meet the evolving needs of our customers.”
In related news, AITX last month appointed Eric Stopka as Chief Operating Officer.
Sound Transit
Daphne Cross is taking on the role of Chief Economic Development and Civil Rights Officer at Sound Transit, which provides Sounder commuter rail, Link light rail, and ST Express bus services in Washington State’s Pierce, King, and Snohomish counties. In this position, she will continue to lead the Civil Rights, Equity and Inclusion department, where she had been Acting Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for the past year.
With more than two decades of experience at Sound Transit, Cross has held positions in Board Administration; the CEO’s Office; Small Business and Labor Compliance; and Civil Rights, Equity and Inclusion. Before holding the acting role leading Civil Rights, Equity and Inclusion, she served as the agency’s Director of Inclusive Culture.
Under the direct guidance of Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine, Cross will now develop strategies, design programs, and work with various external organizations and community partners to ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion principles are embedded throughout the transit agency. Additionally, she will serve as a member of the CEO cabinet and as the transit agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Title VI, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) officer.
“Ensuring equal and ample opportunity is a critical facet of how Sound Transit does business,” Dow Constantine said. “Daphne’s demonstrated commitment to Sound Transit’s values, the people on our team, and the issues in her portfolio make her an outstanding choice to join the agency’s leadership.”
“As a native Seattleite, with longstanding ties to communities throughout the region, I am both humbled and ready to officially get to work,” Cross said. “We’re working on the nation’s largest capital expansion project, focusing on delivering an excellent experience for our passengers, and we remain committed to removing barriers, building capacity and creating opportunities. So, I’m thrilled to continue the work during what is a very exciting time for the region.”
Sound Transit’s most recent Link light rail extension opened to Downtown Redmond on May 10 and will be followed by connections across Lake Washington this winter, and to Federal Way in 2026.
HNTB
As HNTB’s National Integrated Planning Services Practice Leader, Paula Dowell will focus on multimodal systems planning; urban design and planning; freight and goods mobility; environmental planning; resilience and sustainability planning; and strategic planning, policy and communications services. She will be based in the infrastructure firm’s Atlanta, Ga., office.
Dowell brings more than 24 years of experience in multimodal transportation planning, economics, and policy to this role. Since joining HNTB in 2022, Dowell has played a prominent role in positioning the firm as a leading planning consultant and advisor to several states, including Texas, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Dowell is active at the Transportation Research Board, where she has served on the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain, Transportation Economics, Transportation and Economic Development, and Urban Goods Movement committees. She also is a member of the International Transport Economists Association and Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.
Dowell received her master’s and doctorate in economics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
“With Paula’s leadership, we will continue to work with our partners early and often to discover their priorities and help define policies, goals, investments, and spatial designs to achieve safe, efficient, and resilient mobility systems,” said John Barton, Senior Vice President and Professional Services Chair at HNTB. “Her vision and experience will help us continue to deliver extraordinary value to our clients.”
Separately, Rich Schaefer recently rejoined HNTB as Program Manager.
