Mass Transit - 32

James Gillece grew up

James P.
Gillece
Chief of Staff
Maryland
Department of
Transportation
Maryland Transit
Administration
(MDOT MTA)

on public transit, but it was not
until he began working with
the Maryland Department of
Transportation Maryland Transit
Administration (MDOT MTA)
that he discovered transit was
his passion. This passion has
situated Gillece to be a key
driver behind the transformative
properties of transit and how
it levels the playing field for
people across the state.
Gillece began as a capital
program analyst at MDOT MTA
before officially becoming
an MDOT MTA employee
when he was named chief
of capital programming. He
later became the manager of
contracts and compliance and
was most recently promoted
to his current position of
chief of staff. Gillece is
described as someone who
creates efficiencies in an
industry where resources are
not always plentiful but are
continuously needed. He is
also credited with influencing
the culture of MDOT MTA

Matt Ginsberg is

Matt
Ginsberg
Principal and
Co-Founder
Tai Ginsberg &
Associates, LLC
(TG&A)

co-founder of a transportationfocused, full-service
government relations firm, Tai
Ginsberg & Associates, LLC,
which has gained influence
among the elected officials and
policy makers in Washington,
D.C., and elsewhere. Ginsberg
has become a leading
transportation lobbyist and is
well-known by members of
Congress. His firm's strategic
expertise has played an integral
part in the success of its clients
in everything from preparing
congressional testimony on
hot-button issues to helping
clients, such Metra and others,
navigate the complex process
to acquire federal funding.
"He and his team are a
tremendous asset for
transit agencies seeking to
modernize and keep up in
uncertain times," said Bruce
Marcheschi, Metra COO and
deputy executive director.
Ginsberg says he continues
to be driven by seeing his
clients' successes in several

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Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | JULY/AUGUST 2020

"In my experience, the best place to learn is
with a group of individuals who have different
perspectives and are willing to share their opinions."
to be a more inclusive and
collaborative environment.
As chief of staff, Gillece is
involved with many high-level
decisions that impact the
agency and has excelled in
bringing everyone to the table
and ensuring that people feel
empowered to share their
expertise. Gillece was directed
to be a liaison to various
departments throughout
the agency including
Human Resources, Legal,
Procurement, Government
Affairs, Audits and Finance
and these departments have
flourished under his guidance.
Gillece is a member of the
2020 Leadership APTA class

and is often sought out by
his colleagues for advice
and guidance, which he
willingly shares. He also
makes time to connect with
riders. For example, when
MDOT MTA was preparing to
launch BaltimoreLink, Gillece
volunteered to staff several
outreach efforts to assist the
community in navigating
the new bus routes. Gillece
possesses the rare ability to
make everyone feel significant.
His nomination stated,
"James truly believes that
transit is an equalizer and he
is committed to being part
of the group that leads it
into the next generation."

Fact: James earned a license to practice law before he got a
driver's license.
MassTransitmag.com/21147599

"Starting any new business has its risks and rewards,
but the decision to hang our own shingle was
the best professional decision of my career."

game changing projects and
"having contributed a little
part" in those successes.
Outside of Washington,
D.C., Ginsberg has earned
the respect of many senior
executives in the transit
industry particularly concerning
transit public policy matters.
In addition to his work directly
with transit agencies and
commuter railroads, Ginsberg
assists Uber's transit team with
forging valuable partnerships
in the industry, helping
to be the bridge between
new innovative technology
and the traditional transit
industry. Finally, Ginsberg

manages the National Railroad
Construction and Maintenance
Association, whose member
companies consist of freight
and transit rail contractors.
"Very few people can say
they are as accomplished as
Matt is at such a young age-he runs two companies, is a
known force on Capitol Hill
and maintains relationships
with many transit and
public agency CEOs. In my
experience, you know that if
Matt is involved in a project,
it will be accomplished very
thoroughly, strategically and
effectively," added Marcheschi.

Fact: Ginsberg has visited all 50 states.
MassTransitmag.com/21147600
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