Bus operator James Herschel Smith Jr. is an alumnus of the EnoMax Leadership Academy and recently shared insights about his experience in the program with the new cohort of transportation leaders 👇
The energy was electric as AJ Chier and I stepped onto the stage at the 2024 EnoMax Leadership Academy Alumni Panel, hosted during LA Metro Transit Host Week. We were there to share our hard-earned insights with the next generation of transportation leaders. Just a year ago, we were in their shoes, eager to absorb every lesson from the esteemed EnoMax program. Now, it was our turn to give back. We represented a powerhouse lineup of transportation agencies: CATS in North Carolina, DART in Dallas, LA Metro in Los Angeles, and Sound Transit in Seattle. The room buzzed with the collective potential of current and future leaders from coast to coast. As we shared our firsthand experiences, the room hung on our words. We spoke of challenges overcome, opportunities seized, and the transformative power of the EnoMax program. The current cohorts leaned in, their eyes sparkling with curiosity. AJ and I were thrilled to pay it forward, answering their questions and igniting a passion that mirrored our own. In that moment, surrounded by kindred spirits who shared our excitement for the future of transportation, we knew we were exactly where we were meant to be. Connections were forged, relationships were born, and the next chapter of transportation leadership was being written before our eyes. Giving back to the EnoMax community was an honor and an absolute blast. We can't wait to see the incredible things this new generation will achieve! Thank you, Eno Center for Transportation! "Yesterday, we mentioned to the current class the EnoMax Leadership Academy, Class of 2023, was the best ever!"