Mission
The AMPO Core Products Interest Group focuses on the core metropolitan transportation planning and programming efforts that all MPOs are federally required to maintain regardless of size or structure. These core products such as the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and the Public Participation Plan (PPP). This interest group grew out of the previous Public Involvement Working Group to include a more comprehensive scope.
Goals
Provide a forum for the MPO community to share best practices, guidance, and resources that support:
- Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in meeting federal requirements related to core products
- The use of a wide range of public involvement strategies, techniques, and methods to meet the diverse needs of MPO stakeholders, projects, programs, and activities.
- Identify opportunities, challenges, needs, and emerging issues in developing and maintaining these products
- Communicate and share best practices, guidance, resources, and activities with other AMPO committees and at AMPO events, as appropriate.
Core Products Discussion Forum
Join the Core Products Interest Group leadership team and its members on the My AMPO discussion forum. Click My AMPO on the top right side of this page and log in to join the discussion. If you have any questions, click the how-to instructions below.
Leadership Team
Alvan-Bidal Sanchez
DRCOG
Alvan-Bidal Sanchez, AICP (he, him, el) is a senior transportation planner with the Denver Regional Council of Governments, a planning organization covering 10 counties and home to 3.4 million people. He assists in the development and maintenance of the Metro Vision Regional Transportation Plan, which sets the Denver region’s long-range vision and investment framework for the multimodal transportation system. He also leads DRCOG’s federal performance management efforts and nondiscrimination program.
Helen Wiles
Dover Kent MPO
As the public outreach manager for the Dover Kent MPO, Helen is the one that citizens and shareholders can call when they have an idea, would like to get more information, or to schedule an event or program. She’s also the one who takes the call if they don’t know who to speak to since she can always point them in the right direction. She loves telling people about the MPO, and is always available to speak at organizations, meetings, or events! Helen started as an on-air personality for several local radio stations before jumping the fence to sales and marketing. She worked as an advertising executive, as a marketing manager, and as division director for media companies, state agencies, and not-for-profit organizations.
Carol Henderson
Broward MPO
Carol is the Deputy Executive Director of Intergovernmental and Outreach for the Broward MPO. She leads the planning and strategies for public engagement and intergovernmental activities of the Broward MPO. She partners with local, state, and federal agencies as well as elected officials to advocate for transportation initiatives in Broward County. Before her role with the MPO, she was Vice President of Business Development for Brightline. Prior to Brightline, she worked for iconic companies such as The Walt Disney Company, The Coca-Cola Company, and the Miami Dolphins.
Craig Luebke
Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization
A Senior Transportation Planner with the Knoxville Regional TPO, Craig Luebke has been engaged in TIP management and the project delivery process for more than 20 years.
Committee Liaison
Mark Garrity
Oahu MPO
Technical Committee
Mark Garrity is a certified urban planner with more than 30 years of experience who is passionate about creating sustainable transportation solutions. He served as the Deputy Director of Transportation Services for the City and County of Honolulu from 2013-2017, where he oversaw implementation of Complete Streets policies and programs, integration of the City’s bus system with the future rail system, encouraging transit-oriented development, establishing protected bike lanes and parklets, and supporting establishment of new bike share and car share systems. Mark installed Hawaii’s first protected bike lane project, on South King Street. In January 2022, Mark became the Executive Director of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, where he conducts long-range planning to help shape the future of transportation on Oahu and coordinates access to federal transportation funds.
Ron Papsdorf
DRCOG
Policy Committee
Ron Papsdorf has over 30 years of experience developing and implementing innovative, multi-modal transportation plans, projects and policies. He’s worked in dynamic organizations and communities where he has been involved in transportation planning, community development, business recruitment and economic development, and intergovernmental relations.
Ron joined the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) in March 2018 to lead the organization’s Transportation Planning and Operations Division. Under his leadership, DRCOG is partnering with local and regional agencies to address significant transportation issues, with a focus on safety and multimodal solutions.
FHWA Liaison
Matt Smoker
AMPO Contact
Ellen Zavisca: ezavisca@ampo.org
