|
Today public transportation agencies in the United States not only face tremendous competition for shrinking resources, but immense pressure to deliver capital budgets on time. When these clients come to PB for assistance in delivering cost-effective programs to better operate, maintain and expand their transit systems, we often assist with an advisor who has walked in their shoes.Paul Skoutelas, Market Leader, Transit for PB's Americas operations, has spent nearly 30 years working in public transportation. He joined PB in 2005 following successful tenures as chief executive officer at two of America's most dynamic public transit agencies: Pennsylvania's Port Authority of Allegheny County and the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, also known as LYNX.The competition for funding among public transit agencies has never been greater, which means agencies have to be highly creative and innovative with their plans, Paul says. "PB's strength is that it has a wealth of experience to help provide just those types of solutions."As CEO of the Port Authority, Paul served 2.3 million residents in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. He directed a $1 billion capital program that completed its projects on time and within budget, including the Stage II Light Rail, West Busway Extension and Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway Extension. At the Orlando-based LYNX, Paul served 1.3 million residents-not to mention the 40 million tourists who visit the region each year. During his time at LYNX, he doubled ridership and developed a $2.5 billion capital program for bus, rail and fixed guideway investments. The American Public Transportation Agency named LYNX Best Transit System in 1996 and Public Agency of the Year in 1995.For Paul, one of the most gratifying aspects of working for a public transit agency was the direct impact his decisions and programs had on the community on a daily basis. "The services that you provide are measured by hundreds of thousands of commuters every day," he says.But Paul sees his move to PB as the next logical step in his career, and one that brings him a great deal of excitement. The firm offers him an opportunity to work on projects that will impact an array of communities and clients nationwide. I'm proud to be a part of PB, he says. "Having worked with PB staff before on several projects, the notion of joining the firm and taking advantage of its reach, resources and expertise was a motivating factor for me."PB is equally excited to have Paul on board, and he has quickly become involved in several major efforts-the update of the long-term financial plan for the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority in Austin, Texas; strategic advisory services to the Florida Department of Transportation for the Central Florida Commuter Rail Project; and the development of a strategic plan for the Chicago Regional Transportation Authority.Bruce Johinke, PB's Global Director of Markets, says, "Paul brings the breadth of experience and practical know-how so important to transit organizations operating in today's complex and demanding environment. He is already turning his experiences into valuable, strategic advice for PB's clients looking to lead their organizations more effectively, deliver multimodal capital improvements, implement technology advances, and build broad-based support for new transit investments."Not bad for someone whose interest in engineering wasn't originally transportation. In fact, Paul dabbled in a wide range of disciplines during his time at Pennsylvania State University, where he obtained bachelor's and master's degrees in Civil Engineering. He studied electrical, structural and soils engineering before taking his first transportation engineering course. But the thought of improving urban cities struck a chord, and a career path was set.That first class was it for me, Paul said. "I knew from then on I would concentrate on transportation." | 