Mission
The AMPO Public Involvement Working Group supports public involvement in metropolitan transportation planning that meets federal requirements and strengthens the delivery and stewardship of programs, projects, and the transportation system.
Goals
Provide a forum for communications and sharing of public involvement best practices, guidance, and resources that support:
- Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in meeting federal requirements related to public involvement.
- MPOs in efficiently integrating public involvement into their programs, projects, and activities in a way that uses resources effectively.
- Public involvement practices that build public trust and relationships, and gain participation from a diverse group of stakeholders.
- 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 public involvement. Communicate and share best practices, guidance, resources, and activities with other AMPO committees and at AMPO events, as appropriate.
Public Involvement Discussion Forum
Join the Public Involvement Working 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
Helen Wiles
Dover/Kent MPO
Helen is the public outreach manager for the Dover Kent MPO. She started out as an on-air personality for several local radio stations before jumping the fence to sales and marketing. She’s worked as an advertising executive, as a marketing manager, and as division director for media companies, state agencies, and not-for-profit organizations. She has also owned her own businesses and has authored several books.
Lori Maher
Genessee Transportation Council
Lori joined GTC in March 2018 as the Program Manager for Community Engagement, after serving nearly two decades as the Regional Public Information Officer at the New York State DOT in Rochester, NY. She was the media spokesperson, handled public affairs and oversaw the public involvement functions for transportation projects on the capital program. She holds a degree in Public Relations/Journalism from Utica College.
La’Kesha Stewart
Metroplan
La’Kesha is a Planner and Public Outreach Coordinator at Metroplan. She heads the public engagement, Title VI coordination, and Ozone Action Days program. La’Kesha also assists in developing planning documents and providing technical assistance to member jurisdictions. A native of Mississippi, La’Kesha moved to Little Rock while obtaining her Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Alabama A&M University. She also holds a Bachelor of Art in Political Science from Rust College. With an outgoing personality and love for communities, she quickly found herself involved in several local organizations. La’Kesha is on the Keep Little Rock Beautiful Board as well as the Arkansas Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Board.
Rebekah Gongora
North Central Texas Council of Governments
Rebekah Gongora serves as a Communications Manager at the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), where she leads government relations and public involvement efforts for the Transportation Department. In this role, Rebekah oversees communications with elected officials, while monitoring and reporting on federal and state legislation related to transportation and air quality issues. She also oversees public involvement activities for specific transportation projects and studies in North Texas. Rebekah holds a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at Arlington and a bachelor’s degree in Government from the University of Texas at Austin.
AMPO Contact
Caitlin Cook: ccook@ampo.org
