DEANNA ARCHEY

21 Years of Service

MCDOT Division of Transit Services, Chief, Planning and Implementation

Since beginning my career in transportation in 1988, I’ve been shaped by diverse experiences gained across multiple agencies primarily on the East Coast. What continues to inspire me is the opportunity to provide essential services to those who need them most while helping to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility for the broader community.

Over the past three years, two accomplishments I’m especially proud of are launching Phase 1 of the Great Seneca Transit Network (GSTN) and completing the Ride On Reimagined comprehensive network redesign, both of which significantly advance our region’s transportation future.

ZOULI BEREDDAD

3 Years of Service

MCDOT Division of Transportation Engineering, Project Executive Director (Contractor)

My decision to pursue engineering was influenced by a deep personal curiosity and a passion for making a significant impact. I aspire to contribute to the creation of enduring, safe infrastructure that empowers and uplifts communities. The most rewarding aspect of my job is witnessing my work come to life, evolving from initial concepts into impactful infrastructure projects. I find great joy in mentoring young engineers, sharing knowledge to inspire the next generation of innovators. Currently, I am serving as the Executive Director for two Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects in Montgomery County. The Veirs Mill Road BRT project is currently under construction, while the MD 355 BRT project is progressing through the preliminary design phase. Additionally, I recently worked on the Purple Line Light Rail project in Maryland.

PHILAISHA CARTER

8 Years of Service

MCDOT Ride On Safety and Training Instructor

I have been with MCDOT for nearly eight years, and today I’m proud to serve as a Safety & Training Instructor for Ride On. I began my career as a bus operator at the Gaithersburg Depot and, after three years on the road, was promoted to Safety and Training Instructor in 2021. For the past five years, I’ve helped new operators build confidence and launch meaningful careers, and each time we celebrate a new bus operator graduation, it’s rewarding to know I played a part in their success.

The most fulfilling part of my job is guiding trainees through each stage of their learning until everything finally comes together. Whether we are on the training track, in the classroom, or out on the road, I stay by their side until they can perform every skill with confidence.

I was inspired to become an instructor by a former supervisor who demonstrated what true guidance looks like. He was knowledgeable, effective, and genuinely passionate about helping others. His example motivated me to support trainees with that same level of dedication.

My message to women considering a career in transit is to stay true to your integrity, work hard, and learn everything you can. There is real growth and opportunity waiting at MCDOT!

CHRISTINA CONTRERAS

28 Years of Service

MCDOT Director’s Office, Strategic Projects Implementation Manager

My career has been shaped by several significant influences. Foremost among them was my father, who encouraged me to pursue the engineering profession and planted the seed to my future career path. Early in my career, I also benefited from guidance within a private, family-oriented engineering firm where mentors recognized and supported my developing interest in civil engineering and encouraged me to continue pursuit of my degree in Civil Engineering and ultimately my Professional Engineering Licensure. Additionally, my current and several of my former County supervisors consistently promoted my professional growth by encouraging continuous opportunity and advancement in both my technical capabilities and overall career development.

I am responsible for advancing several critical County funded capital projects as part of the Purple Line construction, including the Capital Crescent Trail, the Bethesda South Metro Entrance, and the Silver Spring Green Trail. My work on the Purple Line includes serving as the primary day to day construction liaison for MCDOT and the County, coordinating with a multidisciplinary project team and numerous partner agencies and stakeholders. This effort supports the delivery of a vital transit corridor designed to connect diverse communities and enhance mobility along the 16.2 mile corridor between Bethesda in Montgomery County and New Carrollton in Prince George’s County also providing connectivity to four major WMATA Metro Stations.

I have more than 35 years of civil engineering experience spanning both private sector development and public sector capital project delivery. I have supported the planning and conceptual development of a future transit center to enhance multimodal connectivity within the County. I have also led and contributed to multiple competitive grant applications aimed at securing federal and state funding to advance critical transportation infrastructure, including efforts to support construction of a new entrance to the WMATA Red Line.

MARICELA CORDOVA

6 Years of Service

MCDOT Director's Office, Special Assistant to the Director, Strategic Projects

I am an executive with 30 years of experience in the delivery of innovative architectural, engineering and construction programs for federal, local and private clients in the U.S. and Latin America ranging from $5 million to over $9 billion dollars.

I currently serve as MCDOT’s Special Assistant to the Director and am responsible for the planning, oversight, executive leadership, and implementation of critical priority transportation and transit projects. This includes overall contract management of the P3 Design-Build Purple Line light rail project for the County, development of the County’s Zero Emission Bus Transition Plan, planning for a new zero-emissions bus depot, project management of a new Transit Center project in support of the MD 355 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, and the implementation of the North Bethesda North Metro Entrance project as the key stone of a new transit-oriented development. I provide executive oversight of strategic projects such as the County’s more than 100 stops along eight routes BRT system in different stages of planning, design and construction through various contract methodologies. I was honored to have recently been appointed and commissioned as a member of the Maryland Transportation Authority by the Governor of Maryland.

The most rewarding aspect of my career has been helping bridge the gap between our regional transportation systems and the diverse communities we serve, particularly through addressing bilingual needs and culturally responsive outreach.

PAM DESTINO

14 Years of Service

MCDOT Division of Transportation Engineering, Project Manager (Contractor)

From a young age, I knew I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps to become a civil engineer. After graduating from Virginia Tech, I went on to obtain my Professional Engineer’s license while working as a consultant on transit and transportation improvement projects for various government agencies throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The best part of my job is when our projects are implemented, and open to the public. My first experience driving on a roadway I provided design and construction services for was an incredible experience. The real thrill is to see something you create help improve people’s lives.

The Veirs Mill Road Bus Rapid Transit project will have a similar effect, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be working on it with the County for the past few years. It is exciting to see construction beginning along the corridor and seeing that vision realized.

LATIKA OCHIENG

18 Years of Service

MCDOT Division of Transit Services (Ride On), Depot Chief, Silver Spring Depot

I began my career with the County in 2007 as a Transit Bus Operator, driven by a desire to build a better life for my family and a passion for serving my community. I took pride in connecting with people from all walks of life and knowing that my work made a real difference in their daily lives.

As I advanced to Transit Training Instructor, I had the privilege of teaching new operators the skills they needed to succeed—helping them not only build confidence behind the wheel but also improve their quality of life. Later, as a Transit Operations Supervisor, I served as a trusted resource and mentor for bus operators, contributing to a stronger, more cohesive operations team.

Over the years, I’ve gained valuable insight, grown as a leader, and deepened my commitment to public service. The most rewarding part of my career has been witnessing the positive impact of my efforts—seeing colleagues develop, thrive, and reach their goals while building meaningful relationships along the way.

A few accomplishments I’m especially proud of include serving as a founding member of the first Ride On Bus Roadeo Committee, leading the Blue Book Committee to revise and update our Standard Operating Procedures for greater consistency and efficiency, and making history as the first Woman of Color to serve as Depot Chief in the history of Ride On.

HALEY PECKETT

2 Years of Service

MCDOT Director’s Office, Deputy Director, Transportation Policy and Planning

I grew up in a very car-centric Central Florida, where I watched orange groves dismally turn into car dealerships and strip malls. I learned that urban planning is a way to envision and create the communities that reflect our values, as opposed to indiscriminately paving over our natural spaces. Working across federal, state, and local government, what I love most is working with people who are passionate about a place and helping translate their ideas into plans, funding, and projects.

My role at MCDOT is often to be a connector, so I’m always thinking about where we have shared interests with other agencies or individuals across the state and region. In the short time I’ve been at the County, we’ve gone from less than a mile of bus lanes to more than 12 lane miles, made huge strides in five Bus Rapid Transit projects, passed legislation to allow automated bus lane enforcement in Maryland, set up a partnership with MCPD and WMATA, and passed a major regional initiative to prioritize transit funding. With so many advances at one time, my job is to keep up internal and external momentum, while coordinating between all of the partners, elected officials, and other stakeholders to make sure that our transit successes build upon each other.

DEWA SALIHI

18 Years of Service

MCDOT Division of Transportation Engineering, Construction Section Chief

Having fled Afghanistan as a baby with my family, I grew up witnessing the systematic dissolution of my homeland, including its infrastructure. Growing up I wanted to pursue a career that would enable me to help rebuild the destruction left behind by war. This sparked my interest in civil engineering and led to my career with MCDOT. The best part of my job is working through challenges and seeing my team’s hard work come to fruition. I am especially proud of two key projects: White Flint West and the Great Seneca Transit Network project. Both projects improved connectivity within the County.

I am proud to be MCDOT’s first female Construction Chief.