The Rutgers School of Engineering and the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IndyGo) have made new appointments to their respective leadership teams.
Rutgers
New Jersey Transit’s (NJ Transit) former president and CEO, Kevin Corbett, will be joining Rutgers School of Engineering as a senior fellow of transportation studies effective Feb. 15.
Corbett served NJ Transit as president and CEO for seven years and will apply his learned experiences into the advancement of transportation solutions for New Jersey and the region.
“I am very excited to join Rutgers University as a senior fellow of transportation studies,” Corbett said. “This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the university and the School of Engineering’s dynamic transportation portfolio. I am eager to share my experience and knowledge with future transportation professionals, fostering their growth and innovation.”
He added, “Mentoring students, young faculty and research professionals will be a key focus, as we work together to develop creative solutions to transportation challenges in New Jersey, the region and the nation. I look forward to making a meaningful impact and advancing the field through collaboration and innovation at Rutgers.”
As a senior fellow, Corbett will collaborate with the Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation, a designated university transportation center within the School of Engineering and supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). In this role, he will represent the school and research center, mentor students and faculty, contribute to ongoing research initiatives and facilitate external partnerships and opportunities for the center.
“We look forward to Kevin’s continued involvement in the state’s transportation sector through advocacy and insight, as we work together to advance innovative transportation solutions that serve not just the people of New Jersey, but lead the nation in public transit that is sustainable, efficient and affordable,” said Rutgers Dean of the School of Engineering Alberto Cuitiño.
The university highlights that Corbett played a key role in launching the North American Regional Training Center of the International Association of Public Transport, which fosters training and develops next-generation transit leaders. Additionally, Corbett partnered with the center on research projects, including one funded by a $1.6 million USDOT grant to develop artificial intelligence-based systems for improving safety at light-rail grade crossings.
“As a senior transportation fellow, Kevin will enhance the university’s research and education in transportation,” said Rutgers Director of the center and a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Ali Maher. “He will provide mentorship to faculty and students in research and development while connecting them to national and international opportunities through agencies such as the Federal Transit Administration, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the International Association of Public Transit (UITP). We are thrilled to welcome him and look forward to his role in advancing transportation initiatives and fostering meaningful collaborations on a broader scale."
Appointed by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy in 2018, Corbett led efforts to modernize and enhance New Jersey’s mass transit system.
Notable achievements during Corbett’s tenure include the implementation of Positive Train Control systems, initiating the replacement project of the century-old Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River, the introduction of NJ Transit’s first-ever electric buses, the restoration of the ranks of New Jersey’s locomotive engineers and bus operators and winning recognition by the APTA as “Outstanding Public Transportation System” with 50 million or more annual passenger trips in 2023.
Previously, Corbett held leadership roles at AECOM, overseeing major projects, including Moynihan Station Phase One, the Second Avenue SubwayPhase One and Amtrak’s Gateway Program. He also led global marine and freight operations at DMJM+Harris and other AECOM subsidiaries.
Corbett’s involvement in the transportation field includes having served on the executive committee of the Regional Plan Association and co-chair of its Transportation Committee, as well as president of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York andNew Jersey. He also currently serves as the U.S. representative to the executive board of the International Association of Public Transit. The Georgetown University graduate also serves as a blue and gold officer for the U.S. Naval Academy.
IndyGo
IndyGo has named Lisa Soard as its new director of communications. Soard took on this new role after Carrie Black was promoted to chief public affairs officer late last year. Soard has more than 20 years of experience leading strategic communications and public relations across various sectors.
As IndyGo’s director of communications, Soard will support the chief public affairs officer by leading the agency’s marketing and communications strategy, delivering coordinated messaging through key stakeholders and developing and nurturing partnerships across the community that generate avenues of revenue and increase ridership.
“We’re excited to add Lisa to the public affairs team,” Black said. “This is a big year for IndyGo as we break ground on the Blue Line, celebrate 50 years and continue to raise the bar on providing excellent service to our customers. Lisa has the leadership skills, creativity and innovation to guide these campaigns to the next level.”
Soard began her career at public relations agencies in Chicago, where she had the opportunity to work with the Chicago Transit Authority as it worked to modernize the Red and Purple Lines and expand the Red Line. Most recently, Soard spent more than five years at the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute as the director of communications and engagement.
Soard received her bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications from Drake University. She proudly serves on the professional development committee of the Public Relations Society of America’s Hoosier Chapter. She is an avid reader, who also enjoys hiking and playing board games with her husband, their two children and black labrador.
Eman Abu-Khaled | Associate Editor
Eman Abu-Khaled is a graduate of Kent State University with a bachelors in journalism. She works through Endeavor Business Media with Mass Transit as an associate editor. Abu-Khaled brings a fresh perspective to the visual side of journalism with an interest in video and photography work.
