APBP Annual Awards

Congratulations to the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award and Professional of the Year Award Recipients!
 
Marianne Wesley Fowler, Lifetime Achievement Award
Aditya Satish Inamdar, Private Sector Professional of the Year
MJ Carpio, Nonprofit Professional of the Year
Keith Lovan, Public Sector Professional of the Year

 



The Association of Pedestrian & Bicycle Professionals (APBP) announces the winners of its annual awards program to honor excellence in the profession. Three Professional of the Year awards and the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award were presented during the final day of APBP’s Safety Summit on October 12.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has made a substantial commitment to the profession during their lifetime and who has shown excellence in the field of bicycle and pedestrian planning, design, advocacy, and/or education. The award distinguishes those whose vision and determination have made their communities better places to bike and walk and who inspire others. The 2023 APBP Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Marianne Wesley Fowler, Senior Strategist for Policy Advocacy for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

Marianne has dedicated the past 35+ years to promoting safe and accessible multimodal transportation networks. Marianne’s collaborative work among many organizations helped to develop and sustain both the Transportation Enhancement (TE) Activities (and subsequent Transportation Alternatives (TA)), the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program. Marianne’s work to protect and expand these programs resulted in thousands of projects to develop and connect pedestrian and bicycle facilities, preserve historic transportation facilities, and enhance the environment. Marianne’s monumental achievements in policy make her more than deserving of this award, but perhaps her greatest legacy is the numerous advocates, community partners and civic leaders she has inspired to make their communities more walkable and bikeable. It would be hard to find a champion in our movement who wasn’t influenced and motivated by Marianne’s leadership. 

The APBP Professional of the Year Awards recognize the achievements of pedestrian and bicycle professionals made in the last twelve months in the private, public, research, and nonprofit sectors and one young professional under the age of 30.

MJ Carpio, Campaign Manager for Move Minnesota & Move Minnesota Action received the 2023
Nonprofit Professional of the Year Award. MJ worked with climate advocates, transit riders, state lawmakers, and coalition partners to realize Move Minnesota’s policy goals as some of the most momentous climate and sustainable transportation legislation in the state’s history. She organized testimonies, worked with partners to connect thousands of residents to their decisionmakers, and was central to making transit, biking, walking, and rolling top-tier priorities in the House and Senate Transportation Committees. Her work cultivating legislative champions across a variety of committees resulted in the narrow victories needed to pass these groundbreaking policies.  In addition, MJ works to make transportation a more welcoming and diverse space, and to ensure advocacy efforts are centered on the lived experience of transit users, pedestrians, and mobility justice leaders, such as by organizing equity-focused legislative hearings on transportation.

Keith Lovan, State Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Was awarded the 2023 Public Sector Professional of the Year Award. Keith’s advocacy for sustainable transportation has and will continue to greatly benefit the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and citizens of the Commonwealth while contributing to a more livable and inclusive Kentucky.  Keith's efforts on countless transportation projects address this by advocating for the development of dedicated bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, where investment is feasible. Notably, his role in adoption and creation of the Complete Streets Manual and Policy and Kentucky's first bicycle and pedestrian plan, stands as a testament to his influence on the lives of active transportation users.  His work encompasses a holistic approach that addresses infrastructure, education, and policy enhancements, providing a comprehensive framework to improve safety and access for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Aditya Satish Inamdar, Urban Planner and Designer with Kittleson and Associates was named APBP’s 2023 Private Sector Professional of the Year. Aditya’s outstanding expertise has been, and continues to be, critical in planning, designing, and implementing active transportation systems, especially pedestrian and bicycle facilities, to make streets safe and comfortable for all users.  His mastery in conveying technical matters to the public, community stakeholders, and elected officials secures broad community support and approvals. In addition, Aditya provides educational training and opportunities for developing young professionals and continues to promote racial and social justice in communities through his work.

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APBP is a community of practitioners working to create more walkable, bikeable places. We foster peer knowledge sharing, advance technical expertise, and support the professional development of our members. We offer multiple membership levels, and more information can be found at apbp.org.


Awards Criteria 

The APBP Awards program began in 2000 with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Awards for Public and Private Sector Professionals of the Year were added in 2007; the Young Professional of the Year award was added in 2009; the Research Professional of the Year award was added in 2018.

To Review the Awards Criteria for APBP Award Nominations, click here.  

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has made a substantial commitment to the profession during his or her lifetime and who has shown excellence in the field of bicycle and pedestrian planning, design, advocacy, and/or education. The award distinguishes those whose vision and determination have made their communities better places to bicycle and walk and who inspire the rest of us. This award is open to both APBP members and non-members who have contributed to our profession. A person may be nominated posthumously, after retirement, or while still working in the field. 
 
Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
2023   Marianne Wesley Fowler, Senior Strategist for Policy Advocacy for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
2022   Susan Sauvé, Transportation Demand Management Planner at City of Peterborough (retired)
2021   Cara Seiderman, Transportation Program Manager at City of Cambridge Community Development Department
2020   Dr. Peter Furth, Professor of Civil Engineering for Northeastern University
2019   Sally Flocks, President and CEO of PEDS 
2018    Randy Wade, AICP, former director for Pedestrian Projects Group with the New York City Department of Transportation
2017   Norma Moores, P. Eng., Associate and Manager, Active Transportation, IBI Group 

2016

  Barbara McCann, Director, Office of Safety, Energy and Environment for the U.S. Department of Transportation
2015
  Deb Hubsmith, Founder, Safe Routes to School National Partnership
2014
  Jeff Olson, RA, Principal, Alta Planning + Design
2013   Anne Lusk, PhD, Research Scientist, Harvard School of Public Health
2012   Charles Zegeer, Director, Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC), UNC-HSRC 
2011   Mary Paul Meletiou, Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager (retired), NC-DOT and ITRE
Tom Huber, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator (retired), WI DOT
2010   Lois Thibault, Director of Research (retired), U.S. Access Board, Washington, D.C.
2009   Bettina Zimny, Director of Planning, The RBA Group, Morristown, N.J.
2008   Linda Crider, Executive Director, Bike Florida
Suzan Pinsof, Principal, Suzan Anderson Pinsof & Associates, Chicago, IL
2007   Michael Ronkin, Founder and Principal, Designing Streets for People
2006   Bill Feldman, Manager, Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects, The RBA Group, Morristown, N.J.
2005    John LaPlante, Director of Traffic Engineering, T.Y. Lin International, Chicago, IL
2004   Bill Wilkinson, Executive Director, National Center for Bicycling and Walking, Bethesda, MD
John Williams, Editor and Senior Planner, National Center for Bicycling and Walking, Bethesda, MD
2003   Andy Clarke, President, League of American Bicyclists, Washington, D.C.  (Distinguished Service)
2002   John Fegan, FHWA, Washington, D.C.
2001   Peter Lagerwey, Senior Transportation Planner, City of Seattle, WA
2000   Dan Burden, Founder, Walkable and Livable Communities (WALC) Institute
 
The Professional of the Year Awards recognize the achievements of pedestrian and bicycle professionals made during the preceding 12-month period. Separate awards acknowledge professionals working in the public sector, private practice, and those under age 30. These awards are open to APBP members only.
 
2023   Private Sector Professional of the Year   Aditya Satish Inamdar, Urban Planner and Designer with Kittleson and Associates
2023   Nonprofit Professional of the Year   MJ Carpio, Campaign Manager for Move Minnesota & Move Minnesota Action 
2023   Public Sector Professional of the Year   Keith Lovan, State Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
2022   Research Professional of the Year   Laura Sandt, Director of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, UNC Highway Safety Research Center
2022   Nonprofit Professional of the Year   Darnel Harris, Executive Director, Our Greenway Conservancy
2022   Public Sector Professional of the Year   Hannah Pritchard, Principal Pedestrian and Bicycle Engineer, Minnesota Department of Transportation
2022   Young Professional of the Year   Austin Taylor, Redevelopment Agency Project Manager, Salt Lake City Corporation
2021   Young Professional of the Year    Tobi Otulana, Planner at Toole Design
2021   Professional of the Year (public)   Charlotte Claybrooke, Active Transportation Program Manager at Washington State Department of Transportation 
2021   Professional of the Year (public)   John Brazil, Active Transportation Program Manager at City of San Jose, Department of Transportation
2021   Professional of the Year (private)   Drusilla van Hengel, Senior Principal at Nelson/Nygaard
2021   Professional of the Year (research)   Dr. Sirisha Kothuri, Senior Research Associate at Portland State University
2020   Young Professional of the Year  

Matt Pinder, Senior Planner at Alta Planning + Design

2020   Professional of the Year (nonprofit)   Michelle Lieberman, AICP, LEED AP, Consulting & Program Support Director for Safe Routes Partnership
2020   Professional of the Year (private)   Tamika Butler, Esq., Founder + Principal at Tamika L Butler, LLC
2020   Professional of the Year (public)   Armi De Francia, Active Transportation Coordinator for Town of Ajax
2020   Professional of the Year (research)  

Dr. Jennifer Dill, Professor for Nohad A Toulan School of Urban Studies & Planning, Director at Transportation Research & Education Center, and Director at National Institute for Transportation and Communities at Portland State University

2019   Young Professional of the Year   Danielle Hess, Project Assistant at the Western Transportation Institute 
2019    Professional of the Year (nonprofit)    Catherine Girves, Executive Director of Yay Bikes! 
2019    Professional of the Year (private)   Brian Patterson, Principal and Senior Transportation Planner for Urban Systems 
2019    Professional of the Year (public)    Paul Martin, Active Transportation Coordinator at the Orange County Transportation Authority 
2019    Professional of the Year (research)    Robert J. Schneider, Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee  
2018    Young Professional of the Year   Gwen Shaw, Engineer at Toole Design Group 
2018    Professional of the Year (Public)    Katherine Glowacz, Active Transportation Planner 
2018    Professional of the Year (Research)     Dr. Trisalyn Nelson, Director and Professor at Arizona State University
2017   Young Professional of the Year  

Grace Kyung, Special Project Director, Trailnet 

2017   Professional of the Year (Nonprofit)   Leah Shahum, Executive Director, Vision Zero Network 
2017  

Professional of the Year (Public) 

 

Julie Walcoff, Active Transportation Program Manager, Ohio Department of Transportation 

2016 
  Young Professional of the Year
  Carlos Hernandez, Bike Share Program Coordinator for the City of Oakland, CA
2016
  Professional of the Year (Nonprofit)
  Tamika Butler, Executive Director for the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition
2016
  Professional of the Year (Public)
  Dan Goodman, FHWA Office of Human Environment, Livability Team
2016
  Professional of the Year (Private)
  Ryan Johnson, Senior Planner for Alta Planning + Design
2015
  Young Professional of the Year
  Jessie Holzer, Mobility Deputy for Los Angeles Council Member Mike Bonin
2015
  Professional of the Year (Nonprofit)
  Barb Chamberlain, Executive Director of Washington Bikes
2015
  Professional of the Year (Public)
  Sean Co, Transportation Planner, SFMTC
2015
  Professional of the Year (Private)
  Jessica Roberts, Principal, Alta Planning + Design
2014
  Young Professional of the Year
  Dr. Adonia Lugo, Equity Manager, League of American Bicyclists
2014
  Professional of the Year (Nonprofit)
  James Wilson, Executive Director, Bike Delaware
2014
  Professional of the Year (Public)
  Stephen Patchan, City of Pittsburgh Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator
2014
  Professional of the Year (Private)
  Nick Jackson, NE Regional Office Director, Toole Design Group
2013   Young Professional of the Year   Kyle Wagenschutz, Bikeway/Pedestrian Coordinator, City of Memphis
2013   Professional of the Year
(Non-profit)
  Darren Flusche, Policy Director, League of American Bicyclists
2013   Professional of the Year (Public)   Joshuah D. Mello, AICP, Assistant Director of Planning, City of Atlanta
Emily Snyder, AICP, Senior City Planner, City and County of Denver
2013   Professional of the Year (Private)   Michael King, RA, Principal, Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates
2012   Professional of the Year (Public)   Kristin Bennett, City of Colorado Springs
2012   Professional of the Year (Private)   Jean-Francois Rheault, Eco-counter, Montreal
2012   Young Professional of the Year   Tessa Greegor, Cascade Bicycle Club, Seattle
Stefanie Seskin, National Complete Streets Coalition
2011   Professional of the Year (Public)   Nicole Freedman, City of Boston
2011   Professional of the Year (Private)   Marc Joliecoeur, Vélo Québec, Montreal
2011   Young Professional of the Year   Brian Graham, City of Greenville, NC
2011   Meritorious Service Award   Rep. James Oberstar, Chisholm, MN
2010   Professional of the Year (Public)   Leslie Meehan, Nashville Area MPO
Jim Sebastian, District of Columbia DOT
2010   Professional of the Year (Private)   Andrea White-Kjoss, Bikestation, Long Beach, CA
2010   Young Professional of the Year   Dan Jatres, New Orleans RPC
2010   Meritorious Service Award   Tedson Meyers, Board Chairman Emeritus, NCBW
2009   Professional of the Year (Public)   Rob Burchfield, Portland Bureau of Transportation
2009   Young Professional of the Year   Kathryn Reid Moore, City of Miami
2008   Professional of the Year (Public)   James Ercolano, NYS DOT
2008   Professional of the Year (Private)   Jennifer Toole, Toole Design Group, Hyattsville, MD
2007   Professional of the Year (Public)   Rochelle Wheeler, Senior Planner, Alameda CTC
2007   Professional of the Year (Private)   Mia Birk, Principal, Alta Planning + Design, Portland, OR
 
Professional of the Year Awards recognize those who in the past 12 months have accomplished some or all of the following:
  • Initiated, advanced, and/or published innovative research
  • Brought about institutional change to increase the quality and amount of pedestrian and/or bicycle improvements
  • Advanced the professional knowledge of others
  • Been active or involved in other organizations to share and expand the knowledge base of both
  • Advanced the perception of the profession in the eyes of the public
  • Published or presented innovative research
  • Produced high-quality plans and designs
  • Provided educational and training opportunities for new and existing professionals
  • Helped to expand the quality of employment opportunities in the field
  • Volunteered his or her time in the field.
 
The Young Professional of the Year Award recognizes a person under age 30, in either the public or private sector, whose leadership and accomplishments distinguish her from her cohort.