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    1. Technology

    Focused Technology Solutions names Calabrese as senior advisor

    March 27, 2019
    Calabrese brings four decades of transit industry experience to the company, which aims to offer the industry innovative solutions through technology.
    Focused Technology Solutions
    Joe Calabrese
    Joe Calabrese

    Focused Technology Solutions, a division of The Marmon/Berkshire Hathaway Company, has named Joe Calabrese as senior advisor, effective April 1.  

    Calabrese, a 40-year transit industry veteran, most recently served as CEO and general manager of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA). During his 19 years at the helm, he oversaw operation of a multi-modal transit system consisting of light and heavy rail, bus and bus rapid transit (BRT), paratransit and vanpool services. Prior to his time with Greater Cleveland RTA, he was president and executive director of the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (Centro).

    Calabrese is a past president of both the New York State and Ohio Public Transit Associations and a current board member of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), where he has participated on numerous committees including the Rail Transit CEOs, Bus & Paratransit CEOs, Member Services, Legislative and Access. He is a past chair of the Rail Transit CEOs Committee and BRT Task Force, which has since been made into a full committee.

    Calabrese is also past chair of Metropolitan Rail Discussion Group (MRDG), an alliance of 10 of the largest legacy transit agencies in the U.S. that own and operate the vast majority of the nation’s metropolitan rail network.

    Calabrese holds an undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and an MBA from the University of Buffalo. He has completed post-graduate fellowships at Northeast University, the University of Chicago and the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School.

    Calabrese has been recognized with a Transportation Achievement Award from the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida and was named an APTA Outstanding Public Transit Manager, among other awards.

    “As senior advisor, Joe will utilize his 40-plus years of experience in the transit industry to identify problems and issues that advanced technology can address, and then to work toward development of relevant products and services,” said Focused Technology Solutions President Peter Bartek. “Our mission is to solve transit industry problems with innovative technology.”

    About the Author

    Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

    Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

    Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content. 

    She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.  

    She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.

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