AMERICAN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP APTA 2013 THE 16 TH LEADERSHIP APTA CLASS PROGRAM AND APPLICATION PACKET LEADERSHIP APTA is the American Public Transportation Association s (APTA) premier professional development program designed to develop and support the next generation of leaders of APTA and the public transportation industry. PROGRAM OVERVIEW n join the ranks of more than 350 program graduates who serve in executive and senior leadership roles at APTA, transit agencies, in the private sector, and at public transportation organizations worldwide. n engage in a rewarding and intensive year-long leadership program that connects class members with APTA s executive leadership, public transportation industry leaders, and leadership experts. n deepen your understanding of APTA and the public transportation industry, strengthen and refine your core leadership competencies, and expand your network of colleagues and friends. n learn, lead, and grow through customized sessions, intensive workshops, executive roundtable sessions, small team assignments, online meetings, transit site visits, leadership projects to benefit the industry, mentoring, and much more. Benefit from opportunities to be a featured speaker at APTA conference sessions, committee meetings, workshops, and events. n address key leadership challenges facing the transit industry. Work in collaboration with classmates to recommend and develop solutions. n help promote our mission to strengthen and improve public transportation through such APTA initiatives as TransitVision 2050 and the 2010-2014 Strategic Plan. n give back to APTA, the industry, and your sponsoring organization. Outside photos: Leadership APTA Class of 2012 activities Color inset: Leadership APTA Class of 2012 with APTA President & CEO Michael P. Melaniphy (far left), APTA Chair Gary C. Thomas (middle row, far right), and Leadership APTA Committee Chair John M. Lewis, Jr. (back row, far right) Leadership APTA is committed to identifying and selecting a diverse, broad-based group of industry professionals from among our members for this highly recognized leadership program. Leadership APTA is the path to preparing yourself to join the next generation of APTA and public transportation industry leaders. Each year, the Leadership APTA Committee selects 25 individuals from among APTA member applicants to participate in a year-long program that includes skill-building workshops, conferences, executive roundtables, class leadership projects, teleconferences, online meetings, and web-based events. n be part of a prestigious group of 25 individuals chosen from a competitive pool of applicants to be the Leadership APTA Class of 2013. PREPARING TOMORROW S LEADERS TODAY For APTA and the Public Transportation Industry
a letter from the committee chair The Leadership APTA Committee and APTA staff members are responsive to the changing industry needs for the professional development of our future leaders. Over the past few years we significantly enhanced the Leadership APTA program. We re-tooled and re-engineered the curricula and its offerings. We added highly regarded industry leaders and prestigious university professors to our faculty. We refined the scope and purpose of the class leadership projects. We provided formal speaking opportunities for class members to share with the class their own leadership challenges in their home organizations. We increased the number of agency site visits and executive leadership roundtable sessions. In addition, we provided expanded opportunities to showcase class members and their projects at the APTA Annual Meetings, modal conferences, and APTA industry workshops and sessions throughout North America. Continuing a new tradition, our most recent Class of 2012 graduates were given a prime-time oppor tunity to deliver highlights of their leadership projects during their high-profile Leadership APTA graduation program held this past fall in New Orleans in conjunction with the 2011 APTA Annual Meeting and EXPO. Leadership APTA is very proud of our graduates. Several graduates have risen to top executive positions in the industry. Several serve as members of the APTA Board of Directors and its Executive Committee, and one recently was named president and chief executive officer of APTA Michael P. Melaniphy. The Leadership APTA Committee is encouraged that despite a tough economy, the number of applications has remained high. And as such, the application process has become more and more competitive as the Committee selects a 25-member class representing the richness and diversity of our industry. JOHN M. LEWIS, JR. Chair, Leadership APTA Committee LEADERSHIP APTA S GOALS THE GOALS OF THE LEADERSHIP APTA PROGRAM ARE TO: n Identify, develop, and support the future leaders of APTA and the next generation of public transportation industry leaders. n Help participants identify, develop, and take action to refine their core leadership competencies and skills. n Offer expert-led sessions and workshops facilitated by APTA s executive leadership, world-class public transit industry leaders, and renowned leadership experts and university faculty. n Provide meaningful class assignments and projects designed to address tough leadership issues and real-world public transportation challenges. n Connect class members with respected leaders both within and outside the public transportation industry. n Stimulate and foster individual development, teamwork, and class growth. n Educate participants about APTA, including its governance, organizational structure, leadership, and development opportunities. n Provide an immediate means for class members to give back to APTA and to the industry through work on class leadership projects and related opportunities. Members of the Class of 2012 in workshop session n Introduce class members to APTA committee leaders and offer first-hand opportunities for class members to become actively involved in APTA committee work. n Enable participation in APTA s Legislative Conference and Annual Meetings. n Identify and address services, challenges, trends, and major issues in public transportation. n Support and sustain a collegial and professional environment that facilitates team building, networking, and strong communication with a diverse group of Leadership APTA program participants, alumni, and APTA members. n Incorporate direction, guidance, faculty assistance, and programmatic support from members of the Leadership APTA Committee.
LEADERSHIP APTA S PLANNED 2012 2013 AGENDA Key events and activities: n September online meeting prior to 2012 APTA Annual Meeting. (highly recommended) n APTA 2012 Annual Meeting: Customized workshop sessions, orientation programs for Leadership APTA Class of 2013 including sessions with graduating class; participation in committee meetings, conference sessions; introduction of Leadership APTA Class of 2013 during Class of 2012 graduation program, full participation in the 2012 APTA Annual Meeting. (highly recommended) n Four-day December 2012 workshop session. (required) n Full participation in APTA s March 2013 Legislative Conference. (required) n Leadership APTA workshops held in conjunction with APTA s March 2013 Legislative Conference. (required) n Five-day July 2013 workshop session. (required) n Full participation in team assignments, related work, and completion of team-based leadership projects on industry topics selected by class members. (required) n Online meetings and teleconference calls scheduled during the year. (required) n Delivery of class leadership project presentations and reports given in conjunction with APTA committee meetings, conference sessions, and class graduation program at the 2013 APTA Annual Meeting. (required) Throughout the year-long program and events, participants will have numerous opportunities to talk with APTA s executives; private sector and transit agency leaders; national, state, and local officials; international and local labor leaders; and communications, media, workforce development, negotiations, diversity, and leadership experts. Workshop discussion topics will include areas such as federal and local legislation, funding sources, labor/ management relations, strategic planning, sustainable practices, building and developing local, national and international relation ships and networks, workforce development, and leadership development and its related challenges. Members of the Class of 2012 and committee members tour the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority s Carmen E. Turner Maintenance and Training Facility Over the course of the program year, APTA and industry leaders will direct workshops on the evolving role of today s leaders. Participants will benefit from highly customized and robust workshop sessions on presentation and communication skills, community building, media relations, labor relations, business ethics, negotiations, decision making, workplace diversity, career development, and much more. Project teams will begin working on their leadership project assignments, one of the aspects of the program, at the March 2013 Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. They subsequently will conduct industry interviews, related research, and deliver their presentations at the July 2013 session and at the October 2013 APTA Annual Meeting in Chicago. ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN LEADERSHIP APTA Leadership APTA is specifically designed for APTA members working for public transportation systems, private corporations, businesses, and organizations related to the industry. Only employees of organizations that are APTA members are eligible to apply. The Leadership APTA program is looking for the next generation of leaders progressing in their careers in the public transportation industry. Candidates can be assistant general managers working for public transit services providers, middle management personnel aspiring to executive leadership positions, and other individuals with strong leadership potential working for public transportation systems, private sector businesses supplying goods or services to the public transit industry, or other organizations related to the industry. The Leadership APTA Committee strongly recommends that individual organizations submit only one candidate as their applicant for the Leadership APTA Class of 2013. Leadership APTA s agenda includes attendance at customized workshops and some APTA conferences; leadership projects, teleconference and online meetings; use of online tools and collaboration sites; and participation in web-based events.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS To be recognized as a graduate of the Leadership APTA Class of 2013 and receive a certificate of completion, each member of the class must actively contribute and participate in the following: n December 2012 and July 2013 workshop sessions. n March 2013 APTA Legislative Conference and related class workshop sessions. n 2013 APTA Annual Meeting to deliver class team leadership project presentations at committee meetings, conference sessions, and during the class graduation program. n Assigned projects with fellow team members, including the team leadership projects. n Conference calls, on-line meetings, collaboration sites, and other web-based events. n Highly Recommended: The program highly recommends attendance and full participation at the 2012 APTA Annual Meeting in Seattle where class members will participate in customized workshop sessions and orientation programs, including joint sessions with the graduating class. They will attend committee meetings and Annual Meeting conference sessions. Attending the 2012 Annual Meeting will give new class members the opportunity to learn more about APTA, the industry, and its members, build their professional network and relationships, bond with fellow classmates, see and hear the deliveries of the graduating class leadership project presentations, and better realize the many learning and professional development opportunities ahead of them for the coming program year through the Leadership APTA program. NOTE: If you are selected to participate in Leadership APTA, and you change jobs during the course of the program year, your new employer must be an APTA member and must write a letter of support to APTA for your continued participation in the program. You will be responsible for resolving the tuition fee payment between your new and former employers. LEADERSHIP APTA COSTS AND WHO PAYS Leadership APTA participants are sponsored by the public transportation system or organization where they are employed. An organization s sponsoring a candidate, providing the monetary resources, and allowing the time necessary for candidates to participate in the related events and activities are critical to the success of Leadership APTA. The $3,500 tuition fee for the program, due at APTA by Thursday, September 27, 2012, includes: n Workshop books and materials, some meals, and related expenses during the required Leadership APTA workshops (December 2012, March 2013, July 2013, and October 2013). n March 2013 APTA Legislative Conference registration materials and some meals. n Registrations for 2012 APTA Annual Meeting, 2013 APTA Annual Meeting, and some meals. Participating agencies and organizations sponsoring participants in the program are responsible for: n The $3,500 tuition fee. n Travel costs to and from the Leadership APTA workshops, Legislative Conference, and Annual Meeting. n Hotel expenses, some meals, and related miscellaneous expenses. Participating agencies and organizations should plan for participants to attend the December 2012 workshop, March 2013 Legislative Conference and workshops held in conjunction with the conference, the July 2013 Members of the Class of 2012 and committee member in workshop session workshop, and the 2013 APTA Annual Meeting. We highly encourage class members to attend the 2012 APTA Annual Meeting and related Leadership APTA sessions. Logistical costs associated with these events include: n Five hotel nights, two travel days, and four days for the December 2012 workshop. n Five to six hotel nights, two travel days, and five days for the March 2013 Legislative Conference and related Leadership APTA workshops. n Six hotel nights, two travel days, and five days for the July 2013 workshop. n A minimum of four-to-five hotel nights and two travel days each for the 2012 Annual Meeting and 2013 APTA Annual Meeting. Full attendance at both annual meetings would involve a total of eight to 10 hotel nights. Complimentary conference registrations will be provided for the May 2013 Bus and Paratransit Conference and the June 2013 Rail Conference for members of the Leadership APTA Class of 2013. No Leadership APTA workshop sessions are scheduled at these conferences.
SPONSORING ORGANIZATION COMMITMENT General managers, presidents, and CEOs sponsoring candidates recognize that sending participants to Leadership APTA is extremely valuable to their organizations. Since the first Leadership APTA Class of 1998, public transit leaders have watched their investments in this program return great dividends. The executive leadership of sponsoring organizations understand that their commitment and support means allowing their Leadership APTA participant to attend the required workshops and conferences: December 2012 workshop session; 2013 APTA Legislative Conference and class workshop; July 2013 workshop session; and 2013 APTA Annual Meeting that honors the graduating class and features them at committee meetings, conference sessions, and their graduation program to present their leadership projects. The Leadership APTA Committee highly recommends that incoming class members attend the APTA 2012 Annual Meeting, including related class workshops and orientation programs. These executive leaders recog nize that their Leadership APTA participants will spend time over the year, from about March to September, working on a leadership project and will participate in related conference calls, online meetings, and web-based events. Upon graduation, Class of 2013 members will also serve as program coaches and mentors to the incoming Class of 2014. One of the goals of Leadership APTA is to develop future leaders of APTA. APTA strongly recommends that each sponsoring organization actively support at least one additional year of APTA committee involvement from its Leadership APTA participant after he/she graduates from the program. In addition, APTA supports general managers and CEOs in leveraging their Leadership APTA participants as valued resources within their respective organizations. LEADERSHIP APTA CLASS OF 2013 TIME SCHEDULE n Monday, June 25, 2012: Leadership APTA application deadline. The application materials must include the completed online application form and profile information; a 1000-word essay; a resume including current and past positions and experiences that includes timelines; and two letters of recommendation. All application materials must be submitted online. (Note: See link on last page to access the online application site.) n Mid-August 2012: The Leadership APTA Committee meets to review and evaluate the applications and select the Leadership APTA Class of 2013. n Within a week of the above meeting: APTA notifies the member organization primary point-of-contact of the Leadership APTA Committee s decision. n End-August: All applicants receive written letter from APTA. n Mid-September: Initial teleconference and online meeting with the Leadership APTA Class of 2013, leadership of Leadership APTA Committee, and staff. n September 27, 2012: $3,500 tuition payment due at APTA. n September 30 October 3, 2012: APTA Annual Meeting in Seattle. Incoming class introduced to APTA leadership, members, and Leadership APTA alumni. Incoming class provided opportunities to participate in customized Leadership APTA workshops and sessions, attend APTA committee meetings, conference sessions, and Leadership APTA events. Incoming class members formally introduced during the Class of 2012 graduation program. Class of 2011 project teams: Leading Through Economic Downturn; Sustainability A Toolbox for Leaders; Leadership Perspectives and Strategies for State of Good Repair; Sustaining Public Transportation: Making it Relevant for Today s Communities; and The Influence of Technology on Executive Decision-Making n Mid-November 2012: Teleconference and online meetings with class members, Leadership APTA committee leadership, and APTA staff, as preliminary review of and preparation for the December workshop. n November 28 December 1 or December 5-8, 2012: Four-day Leadership APTA required workshop in Baltimore, MD, including discussion of leadership project topics. (Note: Dates to be confirmed.)
LEADERSHIP APTA CLASS OF 2013 TIME SCHEDULE (CONTINUED) n January and February 2013: Teleconference and online meetings with class members, Leadership APTA Committee members, and APTA staff to review class preparations and planning for the March 2013 Legislative Conference and to discuss upcoming leadership projects. n March 9-13, 2013: 2013 APTA Legislative Conference and Leadership APTA workshops in Washington, D.C. Class leadership projects selected and project teams finalized. n Mid-March through Mid-July 2013: Project team work includes team planning and discussions, industry interviews, teleconferences, and online practice sessions in preparation for the July 2013 delivery of class leadership projects. n July 16-20 or July 23-27, 2013: Five-day Leadership APTA workshop in Denver. Class teams deliver leadership project presentations. (Note: Dates and location to be confirmed.) n Mid-September: Final versions of Leadership APTA Class project presentations and related project papers due to APTA. n September 29 October 2, 2013: APTA Annual Meeting in Chicago. Graduating class honored. Class members provided with multiple opportunities to deliver leadership project presentations during committee meetings, conference sessions, and events at the Annual Meeting. HOW TO APPLY Individuals interested in applying for the program must provide the following information: n Completed online application including recommended applicant profile information. n The 1000-word essay is the written formal conversation between you, the applicant, and the Leadership APTA Committee members who select the next class. Take great care in preparing your essay. The clarity and quality of your essay is the primary way the committee members will learn about your qualifications and aspirations. Your essay must focus on three specific questions: how and why you will benefit from the Leadership APTA program; what are your career goals; and, where you see yourself in APTA and in the public transportation industry in the future. The essay is not a place to comment at any length on the state of the industry, your sponsoring organization s successes, or APTA s accomplishments. Your essay should not restate your resume information or the program curricula information listed on the web site. n Current resume. Your resume should include current and past positions with dates of experience in public transportation and related industries. Job descriptions or equivalent documents are not acceptable resume submissions. We ask you to limit your resume to no more than three pages. Please note: A short essay and a 10-page resume are not acceptable application submissions. n Two industry letters of recommendation. The first letter must come from the highest ranking official, e.g. general manager, CEO, or President of the transit agency, company, or organization that is sponsoring you as an applicant. The second letter may come from your direct supervisor, a client, or recent/former transit agency senior official. We ask that those writing letters of recommendation provide substantive examples of your performance, your career progression, and why they believe you should be considered for the Leadership APTA program. These signed letters should be sent directly to you as PDF files. In turn, you attach these signed PDF files to your online application. The committee will not consider additional letters or recommendation when reviewing an applicant s packet. The committee highly discourages any APTA member from petitioning or lobbying members of the Leadership APTA Committee to select their candidate. ONLINE APPLICATION PROCEDURE Click here or go to http://www.apta.com/leadapta to apply online for the Class of 2013. APTA will only accept online applications. All required application materials must be submitted by Monday, June 25, 2012. (Note: The website will not be open after this deadline date.) APTA POINT OF CONTACT If you have questions or if you need assistance, please contact Joseph Niegoski, Director Educational Services, at 202-496-4870 or jniegoski@apta.com. Members of the Class of 2012 and committee member in workshop session 1666 K Street N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20006 1215 202-496-4800 www.apta.com