Red Line Deputy Director of Community Engagement

Matt started his transportation planning career in New Orleans working directly with transit riders to advocate and take action to improve the regional transit system. That worked evolved into transit policy and planning which eventually led to a bus network redesign. He was also a member of both the New Orleans and Louisiana statewide Complete Streets Advisory Councils. Matt moved to Baltimore in 2019 to become the Lead Bike Planner for the Baltimore City Department of transportation (BCDOT) where he led the expansion of the city’s bike network, managed projects for the Greenway Trails Network, and implemented the city’s 25-miles of Baltimore Slow Streets to provide safer access across neighborhoods to parks and green space. Most recently, he was working at the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) for the Bus Priority program designing and constructing dedicated bus lanes. He is currently a member of the Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and works on the Maryland Trails Committee. Matt lives in Baltimore City in the Waverly neighborhood with his wife, young daughter, and two cats. On Saturday mornings you can find them at the 32nd Street Farmers Market, well, minus the cats.

Fun Fact:

Matt is originally from Seattle and is a big Seattle sports fan. Baltimore is a great sports town, and he’s landed comfortably in a place where we can all share disdain for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Inspiration:

“In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.” –Dalai Lama

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 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 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!

Director of Red Line Real Estate

With over 25 years of experience in real estate and rural & urban development, Dawn brings a wealth of expertise to the Red Line project. She has spent 17 years of her career managing right-of-way projects for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)/State Highway Administration (SHA) District 3 and District 5 offices, which includes Montgomery, Prince George, Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, and Saint Mary’s counties. During this time, she specialized in land acquisition, negotiation, relocation, demolition, condemnation, and project management. As the Director of Red Line Real Estate, Dawn leads efforts to secure properties and manage the real estate strategy critical to successfully delivering the Red Line project. Her role is the key to ensuring that property acquisition and stakeholder coordination align with the project’s goals and timelines. Dawn holds a prestigious International Right of Way SR/WA, further enhancing her technical and leadership capabilities. Outside of work, Dawn enjoys traveling and experiencing nature, seeking new adventures and perspectives through the beauty of the outdoors.

Fun Fact:

She has two grand dogs named Fourteen and Cricket. The dog’s name is 14 because her daughter found it at the 14-mile mark.

Inspiration:

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier

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