The TransitCenter board of trustees elected Fred Neal Jr. as Chair for the 2024-2025 term, effective as of December 13, 2023.
Fred has served on the TransitCenter board of trustees since 2019, and has deep experience in land use and environmental planning, government, and transit advocacy.
Fred Neal Jr., AICP, is the current Director of Planning with Villavaso and Associates, where he supports a practice of land use and resiliency planning, land use regulations and code development, environmental planning, community engagement, and grant writing. In 2018, Fred accepted a mayoral appointment to the Board of the Commissioners of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, where he serves as chair of the Operations and Administration Committee and liaison to the Riders Advisory Committee. Additionally, Fred is an Adjunct Professor at Tulane University in the School of Architecture’s Sustainable Real Estate Development (SRED) program and teaches Sustainable Design and Planning.
Fred was a founding member of RIDE New Orleans, an organization that advocates for world-class and equitable public transportation in New Orleans.
“I am honored to be chosen by the TransitCenter Board of Trustees to serve as Chair,” said Fred. “My relationship with TransitCenter began almost 10 years ago when Ride NOLA sought resources and support to improve transit in New Orleans. TransitCenter played a crucial role in helping RIDE take control of our city’s transit future, while also setting me on a journey from community advocate to transit board member and from grantee to funder. I look forward to leading our wonderful Board of Trustees and supporting our amazing TransitCenter team in fulfilling our mission of transit making people’s lives better and providing opportunities for everyone in our community, regardless of age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status.”
“Fred’s dedication to the advancement of equitable transportation options, coupled with his invaluable experience on the TransitCenter Board, positions him as an exciting Chair at this crucial moment in TransitCenter’s history,” said Stephanie Lotshaw, Executive Director. “I look forward to working with Fred and the rest of the Board on strengthening TransitCenter’s impact and helping to build a successful movement pushing for bold shifts in transportation funding and strategy across the United States.”