DRPT Director Jennifer Mitchell Reappointed by Governor-elect Ralph Northam

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 13, 2017

DRPT: Chris Smith
(804) 225-3930
chris.smith@drpt.virginia.gov

DRPT Director Jennifer Mitchell Reappointed by Governor-elect Ralph Northam

RICHMOND - Virginia Governor-Elect Ralph Northam announced today the reappointment of Jennifer Mitchell as Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). Mitchell has served in this position since January 2014 after first being appointed by Governor Terence McAuliffe.

Under her leadership, DRPT has implemented significant reforms to the state’s rail and transit funding programs, developed multi-modal projects along the I-66 and I-95 corridors in cooperation with VDOT, expanded passenger rail service to Roanoke, Virginia, and developed a new statewide plan for passenger and freight rail.  In 2016, DRPT was awarded the largest FASTLANE (now INFRA) grant in the nation from the U.S. Department of Transportation for rail capacity improvements as part of the Atlantic Gateway project.  Additionally, Ms. Mitchell helped secure a $25 million TIGER grant for The Pulse, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project currently under construction along Broad Street in Richmond.

"More and more Virginians are demanding efficient and reliable multi-modal transportation solutions like public transportation and rail to get them off of our congested highways and to where they need to go," said DRPT Director Jennifer Mitchell. "I am thrilled to continue to serve Governor-elect Northam, Secretary Valentine, and the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia as we continue to move Virginia's transportation needs forward into the future.  

Ms. Mitchell also represents the Commonwealth with local and regional partners on matters related to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and has played a lead role in implementing the Metro Safety Commission with the District of Columbia and Maryland.

Ms. Mitchell has twenty-five years of experience in the transportation industry. She previously served as an Assistant Vice President with Parsons Brinckerhoff’s Strategic Consulting Practice; and as a Deputy Project Director for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

Until October 2017 she served as a member of the American Public Transportation Association’s Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, Chair of the American Public Transportation Foundation, and is currently a member of the Board of Regents for the Eno Center for Transportation. Jennifer has a Master of Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and a Bachelor in Urban Planning from the University of Virginia.

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About the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
DRPT’s mission is to improve the mobility of people and goods while expanding transportation choices in the Commonwealth through rail, public transportation, and commuter services. DRPT is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of its services on the basis of race, color, or national origin as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. For additional information on DRPT’s nondiscrimination policies and procedures or to file a complaint, please contact the Title VI Compliance Officer, Mike Mucha at (804) 786‐6794, TDD 711, or 600 E. Main Street, Suite 2102, Richmond, VA 23219.