Kevin B. Quinn, Jr., AICP
Director, Office of Planning and Programming
Maryland Transit Administration
- One word to describe yourself: Thoughtful
- Alma Mater: Goucher College (undergrad), Johns Hopkins University (grad)
- Favorite book: Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse
- Favorite hobby: Running
- What is your favorite transit system (outside of the one you work for or have worked for): Paris Metro, Paris, France. Quinn finds iti very user friendly, old, with lots of character.
Kevin B. Quinn had done previous consulting work for the Maryland Transit Administration, whom was looking to replace a retired Director of Planning and Capital Programming and did not waste time pursuing him. Coming on in fall of 2014, Kevin moved swiftly to change the Planning Department from a reactive office to a proactive planning practice through his 15 for 2015 list. The 15 for ‘15 list included expansion of regional planning activities, modal long-range plans, a planning blog, a state-wide transit plan, creation of a GIS department, an online Capital Project Database. Quinn led the group aptly towards achieving almost all initiatives by years end. What Quinn could not have foreseen was a major agency project called BaltimoreLink coming about in late 2015.
Quinn has mobilized personnel across departments within the MTA and from numerous consulting agencies numbering over 200+ who are working on BaltimoreLink. All the while Quinn has been a constant point of stability and a person that everyone looks up to for leadership during the adversity of an almost impossible timeline, a demanding public, and intense political scrutiny.
Quinn continues to push for the Office of Planning and Capital Programming to advance a proactive agenda and has recently led the application for a TIGER grant nearing $30m to improve the corridor where the Baltimore Riots occurred in the summer of 2015. He is working with the Maryland Stadium Authority to enter into a joint project to renovate a Commuter rail station and plaza at the main entrance to the city, and is leading the effort to expand commuter rail service into Delaware.
Quinn does not shy from responsibility and instills pride in everyone that works for him.
"I'm most proud of working on our BaltimoreLink program, which is a complete reboot of our entire transit system with a focus on our bus network. We're taking a look at re-imagining the network and changing just about every single transit line to better serve our city and the Baltimore region. We're in the throes of all the planning for it."
Fun fact: Quinn is on a lifelong pursuit to create the most amazing margarita.
