Management

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• Michael Townes

Michael S. Townes has been President/CEO of HRT since 1999. Over the past three decades, Michael has devoted his career to public transportation. In November 1986, Michael joined the Peninsula Transportation District Commission (PENTRAN) as the Assistant to the Executive Director. He was appointed Acting Executive Director in 1988 and became Executive Director in July 1989. Effective October 1, 1999, Michael became the Executive Director of the newly formed Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (Hampton Roads Transit).

Michael is the recipient of several distinguished awards including the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Executive of the Year award, the Women in Transit Committee Achievement Award, and the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Conference of Minority Public Administrators. He was also appointed to Virginia’s Specialized Transportation Committee by Governor George Allen in 1996.

Michael also plays a vital role throughout the various organizations he belongs to. He currently serves as Chairman of the American Public Transportation Association, is the Legislative Chair for COMTO and the Virginia Transit Association. Recently, he was appointed by Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine to serve on the Governor’s Commission on Climate Change. He also belongs to the Board of Directors for the Virginia High Speed Rail Development Committee. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science as well as a master’s degree in Urban Regional Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA.