Council Active and Seeking New Members Kerrick Henny Joins Port

TRANSPORTATION DART Brings GoLink

On-Demand Service to Irving and Garland

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) brings GoLink, the personalized, curb-to-curb service that serves riders on-demand in zones across North Texas, beginning last month, to Southeast Garland and South Irving.

The on-demand service is already available in Farmers Branch, Far North Plano, Glenn Heights, Inland Port, Kleberg and Rylie, Lake Highlands, Lakewood, Legacy West, North Central Plano/Chase Oaks, North Dallas, Park Cities, Rowlett and Western Carrollton.

All GoLink trips require a booking. No walk-ons

In the South Irving zone, the service operates out of Downtown Irving/Heritage Crossing Station so that GoLink riders can connect to other DART services. operates out of Lake Ray Hubbard Transit Center. GoLink service will be offered Monday through Friday, except on holidays that include Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Meanwhile, in the Southeast Garland zone, the service are allowed. Riders can book and pay for trips either with the GoPass® app or by calling 214-515-7272. The free app is available from the App Store and Google Play. Phone reservations must be made in advance, but only same-day trips are accepted. Phone reservations can be made MondayFriday, starting at 4:30 a.m. Riders should purchase their fare using a contactless payment method - credit, debit or GoPass® Tap card - either in the GoPass app or over the phone. Cash fares, paper passes and vouchers are not accepted.

To learn more about GoLink, visit DART.org/GoLink or call 214-515-7272.

Source: Dallas Area Rapid Transit

TRANSPORTATION VIA’s Transit Community Council Active and Seeking New Members

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

The VIA Transit Community Council (VTCC), a volunteer advisory group for the region’s mobility provider, has been deployed to transit centers across San Antonio with information and resources for VIA customers and the community.

The organized effort includes outings to various transit hubs and digital discussions via livestreamed events on various local platforms— all designed to engage VIA riders in conversations about the Keep SA Moving Plan to connect more people to jobs and economic opportunities.

The Council was created in 2017 to serve as transit ambassadors and liaisons who provide community feedback on a variety of topics, including planning, potential growth, and community outreach. Members act in an advisory capacity to the VIA Board and engage with the public-at-large, the business community, and local civic organizations and stakeholders.

“VIA Transit Community Council members are helping to strengthen our connection to the public we serve, by having conversations, sharing information, and gathering feedback that we use to improve the customer experience,” VIA President/ CEO Jeffrey C. Arndt said.

The group’s 16 active members were selected through an application and nomination process. It’s Chair, Dax Moreno, and Vice Chair, Adrianna Addicks, were appointed by the VIA Board of Trustees. Moreno is Chief Talent Officer at Tech Bloc, a local technology nonprofit. Addicks works for the Zayo Group, a multinational telecommunications corporation.

“When asked to serve as Chair for the VTCC, I recognized it as an opportunity to take part in a transformative moment for San Antonio and for VIA—to help affect meaningful, positive change for all the members of our communities,” Moreno said. “VTCC members are having daily conversations about the future of transit and VIA’s plan to provide smart, optimized transportation choices for all San Antonians.”

VTCC members represent diverse industries and interests, including civic organizations, business and economic development, technology and innovation, and the hospitality and tourism industry. Membership includes frequent riders, entrepreneurs, Armed Forces members, and members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 694 that represents VIA drivers, mechanics, and maintenance workers.

Since March 2020, Community Council meetings have been held virtually to discuss issues affecting transit users, VIA initiatives, and council activity. Meeting agendas and links to join the public meetings are available on the VIA Meetings page at https://www.viainfo.net/ board-meetings/.

“The VTCC represents VIA’s commitment to keep the community engaged and informed, to seeking out and including diverse voices, and being open to new ideas and perspectives,” said Akeem Brown, VIA Board Secretary and Board Liaison to the VTCC. “The work done by VTCC members is vital to VIA’s mission and the success of our transit system.”

New applications are being accepted for VTCC membership. The Committee’s areas of focus include: • Proactively communicate the purpose, role and community impact of VIA/ATD • Assess and build respect and credibility of VIA/ATD in the community as an essential and effective public utility • Serve as enthusiastic transit ambassadors to strengthen lines of communication with the community at-large and provide feedback to the President/CEO and VIA/ATD board on opportunities and issues of concern • Identify and advocate for opportunities to partner and leverage resources for shared vision projects

You can learn more about the VTCC and apply to become a member at VIAinfo.net/VTCC. Applications will be accepted through December 2, 2020.

TRANSPORTATION Kerrick Henny Joins Port Houston Leadership Team

Named Chief Government and Public Relations Officer

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

Port Houston’s Executive Director, Roger Guenther, has officially announced the appointment of Kerrick Henny as the new Chief Government & Public Relations Officer. In this newly-created role, Henny reports directly to the Executive Director. Henny has responsibility for all government relations, media, and public communications strategies and activities.

In the announcement, Guenther emphasized Henny’s 30-year career and highlighted his strong record of collaboration and work with a broad range of stakeholders.

“It is exciting to have Kerrick join the leadership team,” said Guenther. “He brings a long career and understanding of the economic contributions the Port of Houston makes to the region, the state, and the country.”

Henny began his extensive policy and business experience working for Texas state legislators and the Texas Attorney General’s Office. He continued his career at AT&T, Inc., rising to the rank of Sr. Vice President External Affairs in his 22-year career there, successfully handling complex matters and issues on behalf of the global telecommunications and technology giant.

Henny joins Port Houston, leaving Texas Star Alliance, one of the nation’s leading lobbying firms, where he served as Principal and part of the senior leadership team since 2018.

A lifelong Houstonian and a graduate of the University of Houston, Henny has close ties to the Port.

“I am honored to join Port Houston and work with the team to achieve its goals,” said Henny. “This opportunity is very personal to me, since my father spent over 35 years working as a Longshoreman along the Houston Ship Channel. I have fond memories of many people who worked very hard to support the various businesses that rely on the Port of Houston.”

Henny has served the community in leadership on multiple boards. Notably, he is the longest serving Chairman of the Greater Houston Partnership’s Government Relations Advisory Committee. The Texas Black Caucus named him Outstanding Texan of the Year, Houston Friends of Friends Network recognized Henny as Positive Male Role Model of the Year, and he is also a graduate of Leadership Houston and Center for Houston’s Future.

Henny and his wife, Adrienne, have been married for more than 23 years, and they have a son, Kristopher.

For more information, please visit www.porthouston.com.