Karissa Coe

Medicaid Broker – Northeastern Colorado Association of Local Governments/NECALG (CO)

Hello, my name is Karissa, and I am the Medicaid Broker for NECALG. I work with six counties in Northeastern Colorado. I completed the CCTM course in 2023, and I am passionate about advancing my career in the transportation industry. I plan to continue pursuing any available education opportunities. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time at the lake with my boys and building miniature houses.

Anne Dunno

Capital Development Manager – Mountain Line (AZ)

As Mountain Line’s Capital Development Manager, Anne Dunno has 10 years of experience in the public transit industry focused on planning and capital
development delivering projects valued over $78M. She manages delivery of Mountain Line’s 5-year Capital Improvement Program, including the FTA grant funded Downtown Connection Center Project, and leads the maintenance division overseeing fleet and facilities.

Erika Finnestead

Marketing Director – Ozark Regional Transit Authority (AR)

Erika Finnestead, Marketing Director for Ozark Regional Transit, is a passionate advocate for sustainable urban development. She actively contributes to transit projects, promoting accessibility, and social equity. Ozark Regional Transit recently won two marketing awards for her work with Pedal It Forward, offering free bikes to the transit community, and for inspiring the next generation of riders through social media. Beyond transit expertise, Erika excels in leveraging marketing strategies for public support and funding, fostering economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Snorri Gudmundsson

Transit Supervisor – Clear Creek County (CO)

Snorri was born and raised in Reykjavík, Iceland, and moved to Colorado in September of 2022. Married to Alyson Hartwig and living in Idaho Springs, CO, with 2 quad-pedal mammals that “ruff!” His happiest memories are going to his family’s summer house outside of the city. That is still his favorite place on earth. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Master’s Degree in Tax Administration from Bifröst University, Iceland. He’s addicted to playing pickleball and cornhole.

Christopher Kaplan

Senior Program Compliance Analyst – Mountain Metropolitan Transit (CO)

I am Chris Kaplan, a dedicated and passionate public servant employed as a Senior Program Compliance Analyst for Mountain Metropolitan Transit at the City of Colorado Springs. With a focus on continuous improvement, organizational agility, and servant leadership, I aim to support exceptional service delivery to enhance the mobility and dignity of our community. I am originally from Tucson, Arizona, where I studied at the University of Arizona. I am a Master of Public Administration student at UCCS. I enjoy climbing, skiing, and spending time outdoors in my free time.

Casey Kinnison

Transportation Hub Supervisor – Northeastern Colorado Association of Local Governments/NECALG (CO)

Casey Kinnison lives by the philosophy that “If you see someone without a smile, give them one” and you will never be without a friend. Taking business seminars at various places gave him the desire to excel. Casey’s lifetime goal is to set good examples for everyone around him – children, acquaintances, fellow workers – then pass on that knowledge for better life enrichment. His interests involve time well spent collecting many types of automobilia items, spending time with his wife of 40 years on cruises, helping his 3 children with projects, spoiling his grandkids, and enjoying life through good times and bad.

Jacob Matsen

Planning Supervisor – Mountain Metropolitan Transit (CO)

While pursuing a degree in Community and Regional Planning at Iowa State University, Jacob Matsen inadvertently began a career in public transportation. During this time, he worked as a fixed-route bus driver for CyRide in Ames, Iowa. Following graduation, Jacob’s professional career has included roles such as a regional transportation planner, a program coordinator for fixed-route and ADA complementary paratransit operations, an operations supervisor, and most recently as a planning supervisor for Mountain Metropolitan Transit. Jacob is married to his beautiful wife, Ashley Matsen, and they have one child together. In his spare time, Jacob enjoys camping, snowboarding, and hiking, especially in the high country.

Alex Romero

Bus Operator/Transit Dispatcher – ECO Transit (CO)

My name is Alex Romero and I was born in Honduras. When I was 5 years old my parents decided to move up to the beautiful mountains of CO. I Have not lived anywhere else since then, I very much enjoy all the summer activities such as 4 wheeling, fishing, camping, hiking and exploring, as of right now I have no intentions of moving. I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can from this Casta Lead course and with the incoming change the company I work for is soon to experience, it’ll hopefully help my dream of living here much longer.

Michael Schuering

Core Dispatcher – Eagle County Regional Transportation Authority (CO)

Michael was born and raised in Central Illinois, and graduated in 1996 from Western Illinois University with a degree in Communication. In 2000, he and his wife decided to give Colorado a chance. He got a job that year that, unbeknownst to him, would turn into a career path when he began driving for Beaver Creek Ski Resort’s transit department. Over the years he’s moved through various positions in the transit industry. Eagle County Regional Transit Authority (ECO for short) has been an RTA in name only until November 2022. At that point the voters in Eagle County voted for the creation of a true RTA. Michael, along with the entire ECO organization, is excited for the growth and increased opportunities an RTA will provide Eagle County.

Marilyn Stuart

Operations Manager – Prowers Area Transit (CO)

Hi, I am Marilyn, I am the Operations Manager at Prowers Area Transit. Our little Transit service covers the City of Lamar and other small towns within Prowers County, out here in southeastern plains of Colorado. I have been here learning all aspects of transit for the last 3 years now. I began as a driver and have now worked my way up to management. My goals are to be promoted to the Department Head position within 2 years, then in about 10 years, move on to a larger transit company or run for County Commissioner. As an Operations Manager, I strive to make our department good at customer service, encouraging all my employees to treat all our riders with great care and dignity.

Jessica Villena Sanchez

Bilingual Mobility Planner – Boulder County Mobility for All (CO)

My name is Jessica, I have a PhD in Geography with a focus on Transportation Planning from the University of Denver. I’m a Bilingual Mobility Planner I at Boulder County Mobility for All. I work closely with nonprofits and local government partners to facilitate county-wide coordination of equitable transportation services and policies. I manage Mobility for All’s Volunteer Program, and I plan and attend community outreach and engagement events to advocate for better mobility options for people from all backgrounds, ages, and abilities.

Dana Wood

Mobility Manager – Northwest Colorado Council of Governments/NWCCOG (CO)

Dana Wood is a Michigan native and has been living, playing, and working in the Colorado River Valley area since 2011. She currently lives in Silt with her dog, Luna. She manages the Regional Transportation Coordinating Council and the Intermountain Mountain Transportation Planning Region. She supports these groups by co-creating solutions with agencies to close transportation gaps and advocating for funding to improve quality of life for rural community members. She is an ultra-runner, yoga teacher, nature lover, and world traveler. Her professional passions include food justice, creating community-based solutions, and building trusted relationships to spark positive change. She is a board member for Highwater Farm, a nonprofit regenerative farm in Silt and a Planning and Zoning Commissioner for the Town of Silt.

Autumn Lawrence

Program Coordinator – Colorado Association of Transit Agencies (CASTA)

Joseph Parks

Program Director – Colorado Association of Transit Agencies (CASTA)

Donna Griggs

Facilitator and Coach – Propel Change Global