MTA Red Line Senior Project Director

Allison brings more than 19 years of experience as a civil engineer to the Red Line project, successfully leading transit projects in urban, multimodal environments from concept studies through preliminary and final design. She has served as the civil engineering lead on numerous large transit projects in Baltimore and the metropolitan Washington region as both a design oversight consultant and an engineer of record, including Montgomery County Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on US 29 and MD 586; District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Streetcar and K Street NW Transitway; Richmond Highway BRT; and MTA’s Purple Line project. In her role as Red Line Senior Project Director, Allison is responsible for oversight of the design and delivery of this critical project, which will provide increased, reliable transit options for Baltimore City. She lives in Baltimore City with her husband and 3 children where she volunteers on the Mount Washington School Family Council and as a soccer coach for the Mount Washington Soccer Club. Allison enjoys living in an old neighborhood and doing projects on their 100 year old home.

Fun Fact:

When Allison was in college, she was the captain of the cheerleading team and the rugby team.

Inspiration:

“Passion and hard work makes a great player, but the courage to get up every time you fall is what makes a champion.” ~Jeanette Lee

MTA Red Line Deputy Director

Working as a designer, manager, and director in the transportation industry, Erica brings 19 years of experience in civil and transportation engineering to the Red Line project. She spent the majority of her career working for the State Highway Administration where she served as the District 3 Engineer, overseeing the construction of major infrastructure projects and implementation of the system preservation program in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. In her role as Red Line Deputy Director, Erica is responsible for assisting with oversight of the design and delivery of the project. She lives in Baltimore City with her kids, dog (Risto) and enjoys reading and triathlons in her free time.

Fun Fact:

My father was a licensed industrial engineer, Stanley Rigby. There is a YouTube video from my SHA days about this.

Inspiration:

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” Vince Lombardi

Red Line Director of Communications and Engagement

Ken’s professional career spans over 20 years, including time spent serving in both military and civilian roles. Following a 12 year tenure in the United States Marine Core as a Public Affairs Specialist where he honed a diverse set of communications skills, he worked for the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service as an Internal Communications Manager, and as a Communication Specialist for the USDA’s Farmer’s Market, Science and Technology, IT, and Livestock and Poultry programs. Prior to joining the Red Line Project Team, Ken spent several years as the Communications Strategist for the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, where he successfully guided executive and senior leadership teams through various communications challenges; a position which honored his unwavering commitment to effective and impactful communication. He lives in Howard County with his wife and three daughters, has a cat named Prince, and in his spare time enjoys reading, writing fiction, and playing video games.

Fun Fact:

Ken was raised on a small Alabama farm with a herd of goats and seasonally rotating crops.

Inspiration:

“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” – Simon Sinek

Red Line Communications Manager

Jerome comes to the Red Line project with experience from the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IndyGo) and TransitCenter, a national transportation advocacy and research group, where he focused on proactive community engagement, the rider experience, and increasing representative leadership in the transit industry. He has been named to the 40 Under 40 lists of both Mass Transit Magazine and the Association for Commuter Transportation, and is a graduate of the American Public Transportation Association’s Emerging Leaders Program. In his role as Red Line Communications Manager, he is responsible for the design and implementation of inclusive communications and engagement programs and initiatives. Jerome lives in downtown Baltimore, and enjoys walking around the Inner Harbor, attending live performances, and going to museums. He doesn’t own a car, rides transit whenever possible, and likes to bike. Additionally, he curates his extensive collection of transit memorabilia known as the International Micro Museum of Transit.

Fun Fact:

I can dance like Michael Jackson and play the low brass instrument Euphonium which is a baby tuba.

Inspiration:

“Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency.” – Daniel Burnham

Red Line Engineering Manager

Della began her engineering career as a Civil and Environmental Engineer with Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR), including several years serving as its Western Regional Engineer and Critical Maintenance Engineer where much of her work concentrated on rehabilitations, capital projects, renovations, and revitalizations throughout Washington, Allegany, and Garrett counties. Later, she entered the private sector, working on DC Water’s stormwater management projects, VDOT Highway systems projects, and as a member of the (previous) Baltimore Red Line Rail Transit Design Team, before joining the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to serve as its Division Environmental Officer. Della completed her Ph.D. work in the areas of Environmental, Energy, and Atmospheric Studies at North Carolina A&T State University (NCA&T); is a passionate math instructor, tutor, and math, engineering, technology, and science mentor for children and young adults; and belongs to and serves in a variety of roles with several organizations, including The Fly Girl Network, The National Society of Black Engineers, Women in Transportation, Mothering our Mother Earth, and the NCA&T School of Applied Science and Technology Graduate Council.

Fun Fact:

I am a Baltimore City College Knight and Senior Class of 2002 President.

Inspiration:

“Your attitude determines your altitude” Adjust wisely!