Focused Technology Solutions names Calabrese as senior advisor
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.”
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. 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 served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
