MEGGAN ROBERTS ODELL STARTED
out working for a logistics company that
delivered freight while she was in college.
When a job opened up in Rockingham
County, she moved to moving people.
Whether working directly with staff ,
program participants or community
stakeholders, Odell has demonstrated
an unparalleled commitment to protecting
the interests of the clients, staff ,
reputation and mission.
She oversees a comprehensive public
transit system that has operated in a rural
county since 1983 and over the past 5
years, has spearheaded dramatic growth
in the program with the addition of its
fi xed-route bus system and the consolidation
of Medicaid transportation services.
In 2013, she was instrumental in securing
the contract to become the Medicaid
One Call Center for Rockingham
County, streamlining access to services
for Medicaid recipients and eliminating
ineffi ciencies of the system.
Odell recognized a need for expanded
and more easily accessible sources of
public transportation and led an eff ort
to engage public offi cials, community
46 | Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
and economic leaders and community
stakeholders. In 2013, they launched the
fi rst fi xed-route bus to serve the county
in more than 50 years.
In August 2014, a second route was
launched in Reidsville with equal success
and positive community reception, and in
May of 2015, the launch of the third and
fi nal leg of the bus network. In addition to
the three bus routes, the network includes
a connector system that off ers riders the
ability to move across the county as well
as access the numerous services and programs
housed in the county seat.
Odell has created a model for rural
public transit in North Carolina. In just
under a 3-year period the community
has seen truly remarkable growth in the
system. Last fi scal year alone the bus system
provided more than 28,000 trips.
Fact:
Last year, through
the skat BUS
system, 50 of
the individuals
transported to
job training in
Eden and 65
transported in
Reidsville are
now employed.
MassTransitmag.
com/12355078
“When I’m long gone, hopefully these buses will still be
going and there will still be somewhat of a legacy left that I
did something, or we did as a collaborative group, something
good for the community and that we really helped change
people’s lives, get them back on their feet, get them to jobs.”
Meggan
Roberts Odell
Senior Director of
Transit Services
RCATS
Transportation/skat
BUS
GROWING UP, BRANDON RAPEZ-BETty
always said he’d go to law school or
join the U.S. Peace Corps. So an underperformance
on the LSAT led him to
serve 2 years in the Dominican Republic
where he learned a lot about community
planning and development. Th at
led him to grad school in urban and
regional planning. Upon graduation,
an opportunity arose at Spokane Transit
Authority in the Communications
Department using his interpersonal
skills and his knowledge of planning
and public administration.
In his 4 years at STA, he has led the
public education program for a historically
successful ballot measure, was
instrumental in the implementation
of a fare increase program that is sensitive
to the needs of the community,
and successfully led the communications
eff orts for an 18-month, $5 million
transit center renovation.
Rapez-Betty was instrumental in the
passage of Proposition 1 in November
2016, which will fund STA Moving
Forward, a 10-year plan to maintain,
improve and expand transit service
throughout the Spokane Region. He
managed the development and implementation
of two public education programs
for public transportation ballot
initiatives, working with the CEO, legal
counsel and the board of directors.
Another huge success was the public
outreach program surrounding
STA’s recent fare increase, which was
led by Rapez-Betty. He presented to
dozens of businesses and associations
throughout the region, ran surveys,
and participated in one-on-one meetings
with local community leaders to
gather input on the next fare increase.
As a result, the STA Board of Directors
voted to implement the fare change
in two phases, easing the impact on
low-income customers.
Fact:
He completed
the Ironman: a
2.4-mile swim,
112-mile bike
ride and 26.2-
mile marathon
and the Ironman
logo tattoo on his
forearm is one of
his most prized
possessions.
MassTransitmag.
com/12356667
“My role as the customer & community relations
manager has a maze of dotted lines throughout our agency,
as well as throughout the Spoka ne region. The opportunity
to gather information, bring people together, and find
mutually beneficial solutions to everyday challenges keeps
me on my toes a nd gives me a sense of releva nce.”
Brandon
Rapez-Betty
Customer &
Community
Relations Manager
Spokane Transit