April/May 2021 Newsletter
Notes from the YPC Chair
Hi YPC Members and Friends of YPC,
I feel like I blinked and it’s already April! I hope for those of you transitioning back to offices things have been going well, and for those of you continuing to work from home, I hope you have created a comfortable office area and are figuring out how to maintain a work-life balance.
Although it is a bit disappointing that the Tech Summit will be virtual this year, I encourage you to attend if you get the chance (registration is free for IBTTA Members!). In addition to the fantastic Roundtables and Sessions that IBTTA is putting on, the YPC will be presenting an exciting Tolling 101 session on April 30 that is directed specifically towards Young Professionals and will introduce several topics that will be explored more in-depth at the Tech Summit. I hope to see some of you there! Don’t be afraid to turn on your videos and say hi!
Speaking of video chats, the YPC has started doing bi-weekly discussion meetups. We have had 3 so far, and plan on hosting them every other week. If you are interested in meeting some other young tolling professionals, this is a great, casual time to eat your lunch/breakfast/beverage among new friends. We will always have an interesting topic to discuss that revolves around transportation, so you won’t have to feel awkward about making small talk. Join us on Discord at the Table 1 Voice Channel! If you have any questions on how to join, shoot us an email at ibttaypc@gmail.com.
If you would like to be more active in YPC, make sure you check the Discord for ongoing discussions or join one of our subcommittees! You can join here (https://ypcouncil.com/subcommittees/) or send me a DM and I’ll get you plugged in.
I look forward to seeing you at our next meetup! As always, if you have any ideas, concerns, or questions, I’m always just a DM or email away!
Chelsea Scheid
2021 YPC Chair
YPC Member Spotlight
Anthony Sgro
Q:Where do you work and how long have you been there?
A: I work at IBI Group at the head office in Toronto, Ontario in Canada (but currently working from home). I’ve been working here for seven years full-time and an additional two years before that as a co-op student and part-time.
Q: What is your current role?
A: I am a Transportation Systems Engineer. I received some good news and as of last week I’ve been promoted to Associate Manager of Intelligent Systems.
Q: Tell us about your favorite project, either at your current or in a previous role?
A: One of my favourite projects is our Toll System deployment in the Bahamas. IBI provided hte toll system in the 90’s and we continue to support and provide enhancements. I’m the Project Manager and get to work closely with the client and his staff. They ar great people to work with, and I always jump at the opportunity to go there for in-person meetings, including plenty of beach time (pre-pandemic, of course).
Q: What is one thing, industry-related or other, that you have learned in the last month?
A: Not industry-related whatsoever, but I recently learned how to successfully hold a crow pose. It’s actually harder than it looks!
Q: How long have you been with YPC? Do you have a favorite YPC-related story?
A: I believe I joined as a YPC member about two years ago, and I really wanted to attend the YPC event at the Orlando conference in 2019 but was unable to get there in time. My favourite YPC story would have to be the Meet the Committees event we put on in December. It was a big event for YPC with over 100 attendees. I received lots of great feedback and one of the best parts was people who have actually been part of IBTTA for over 20 years said they actually learned something new during that event. I look forward to many more successful YPC events.
Q: What do you like to do when you are not in the office?
A: I’m pretty easygoing, I like to work out at home and stay active, catch up on some movies and shows. Pre-pandemic I would golf in the summer, ski in the winter, and use any excuse to hang out with friends either in the city or at a cottage. Video games help keep me busy during the pandemic, but I look forward to getting back to some outdoor activities.
Q: What is something you are looking forward to in 2021?
A: I look forward to seeing people in person and putting my rusty social skills to the test! I know it’s a long process, but I’m hopeful that in 2021 we will get back to some normalcy. That also means being one step closer to finally meeting all the YPC members I have only spoken to virtually!
IBTTA Leadership Academy Experience
February 2021
If you missed the 2021 Leadership Academy, check out the presentations here.
Reflections on the Value of the IBTTA Leadership Academy
Featuring: Dr. Barbara Gannon and 7 Alumni
Dr. Barbara Gannon and seven IBTTA Leadership Academy Alumni discuss topics such as:
- What is the Leadership Academy all about?
- What are the benefits of the Leadership Academy?
- When should I go?
- What to think about when it is time to apply
Tolls and the History of Transportation
Featuring: Peter Norton, Associate Professor University of Virginia
- Tune in to the recording from the IBTTA Leadership Academy in which Professor Norton covers:
- The 3 E’s of transportation planning
- A fascinating history of Transportation and Tolling
- Discusses the concepts of No-choice Mobility, Congestion solutions, Roadways as a commodity vs resource
Transformational Leadership
Featuring: Greg Hulsizer: HNTB, Maggie Wilkins: Wilkins Strategies
Join the featured speakers to hear the answers to these questions and more!
- What is Transformational Leadership?
- What is the role of a Transformational Leader?
- Leadership styles for success
- How have engaging methods changed during the pandemic?
- What do you do in the absence of leadership?
- How do you manage change?
Leading Through Disruption:
Join 6 Toll Agency CEOs as they discuss types of disruption – natural disasters, political change, technology advances, personal events.
The leaders discuss aspects that have been critical to them through disruption such as Transitions, motivation, recovery, purpose, moving forward and maintaining.
Hear their answers to questions such as:
- Where do you draw your strength?
- Why is humor a useful tool?
- How does organizational culture allow for sustainability?
- How do you cultivate leadership in your team?
- And much more!
Have you checked out our Discord Channel?
YPC uses our Discord channel to communicate. From our weekly topics and events to our book club conversation and our gaming events – we talk about it everything here! Download the Discord app on your mobile device or computer and start chatting with us today!
Have you checked out our LinkedIn page?
If you are looking for professional growth opportunities in the tolling industry, the YPC LinkedIn page is the place to go. Join now to expand your professional network, connect with tolling experts, and advance your career in the industry while having fun!
Sign Up for the YPC Mentorship Program Today!
Looking to grow professionally but don’t know where to start? The YPC Mentorship Program connects experienced mentors in the toll industry with tolling professionals interested in mentorship. By participating in the YPC Mentorship Program, mentees can expand their professional network, refine their communication skills, and focus on career development in the industry. Sign up by September 30th by following this link. New pairings will be announced on October 11th!
Next YPC Member Spotlight Nominations
We have a goal to feature a person of interest in the Spotlight section of our monthly YPC Newsletter, so we are asking YOU to nominate someone.
Do you know someone fascinating? Intelligent? Talented? Someone you have learned from or someone that you feel others can learn from?
Do they work in the tolling and transportation industry?
If so, we would like to learn more about them!
Please submit nominations to the YPC Communications Sub-committee team via email: IBTTAYPC@gmail.com
Subject: Spotlight Nomination
Check Out YPC in the IBTTA 2019 Annual Report!
Have you checked out the new IBTTA 2019 Annual Report? If not, you can view it here. On page 4, you’ll see pictures of YPC in action and a summary of what YPC is all about.
YPC Book Club
For those of you interested in learning and discussing ideas, the YPC book club is offering free meetings for just that! We are reading The Management Myth: Debunking Modern Business Philosophy by Matthew Stewart (Get it here).
The meetings will be created on Discord book club channel and take place every 2 weeks. Don’t worry if you have missed the first book club meeting, join the following discussions on:
- April 22nd, 2021 for the discussion of the second section of the book – Putting People First;
- May 7th, 2021 for the discussion of the third section – Thinking Ahead.
You don’t have to read the first section to generally know what’s going on! Can’t wait to see you all!
