Transit Now

Executive Director, Foothill Transit

Doran Barnes

Doran Barnes is Executive Director of Foothill Transit, which serves Eastern Los Angeles County. Foothill Transit is a leader in planning for, acquiring, and operating Zero Emissions Buses. He is a former Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary of the American Public Transportation Association.

Associate Administrator for Planning & Environment

Felicia James

Felicia James serves as the Associate Administrator for FTA’s Office of Planning and Environment, providing executive direction to all FTA activities relating to transit and transportation planning and environment. The office administers a national program for the metropolitan and statewide planning process, the major capital grants investment program, and environmental programs and policies for all modes of public transit in the United States.

Ms. James previously worked as the Program/Policy Development Team Leader and Manager in the Office of Project Development and Environmental Review at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), where she directed oversight for the development of environmental policy and programs and research funds allocated for specific activities. She has also worked closely with federal agencies and national organization stakeholders on initiatives and emerging issues. 

Associate Administrator for Program Management

Bruce Robinson

Bruce Robinson is the Associate Administrator for FTA’s Office of Program Management. In that role, he oversees the Office of Transit Programs, the Office of Capital Project Management and the Office of Grants Management and Guidance. Collectively, these offices administer a national program of capital and operating assistance by directing program implementation through FTA’s regional offices. The office provides procedures and program guidance to assist the field staff and grant recipients in grant program administration and grant management requirements and manages FTA’s major project capital oversight programs.

Before taking the Associate Administrator reins in 2019, Mr. Robinson served as the Deputy Associate Administrator for the Office of Program Management and the Deputy Associate Administrator for the Office of Research, Demonstration and Innovation. He also served as Acting Associate Administrator for Budget and Policy in 2021.

Senior Advisor to the Administrator

Veronica Vanterpool

Veronica Vanterpool was appointed Senior Advisor in August 2021. She works directly with the Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration and as a member of the FTA team to advance the policy objectives and goals of the Biden-Harris Administration.

Vanterpool came to FTA from Delaware Transit Corporation, where she served as the agency’s first Chief Innovation Officer. During her time at the agency, she launched the state’s first on-demand microtransit service in a rural community and oversaw the autonomous shuttle demonstration program. Her previous roles include being the Deputy Director of the national Vision Zero Network, executive director of the New York City based Tri-State Transportation Campaign and board member of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority.