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ITS America Announces Communications Team
Advocacy efforts to focus on a new campaign to advance technology solutions
to solve the nation’s transportation challenges
Washington, D.C. (January 8, 2012) – The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) today announced Paul Feenstra, Ashley Simmons and Eliana Velez as the organization’s key staff members for external affairs and communications.
“As smart technology is becoming increasingly critical to the success of America’s infrastructure, we are excited to have built an outstanding team to strengthen the ITS community’s message and advance innovative solutions to the nation’s transportation challenges,” said Scott Belcher, ITS America President and CEO.
Paul Feenstra is returning to ITS America as senior vice president for government and external affairs. He previously managed ITS America’s government and public affairs shop for four years before moving to Keystone Public Affairs, where he was a media consultant and represented clients in the transportation and energy industries. Feenstra has also served as a policy advisor to U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and as director of governmental, international and public affairs at U.S. DOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration. He also served as communications director to former Congressman John Peterson (R-PA), deputy press secretary to former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, and has worked on numerous campaigns including President Bush’s 2004 reelection and Rick Santorum’s 2012 Presidential primary.
“Paul is a proven champion for the transportation sector. He understands the challenges ahead for the nation’s infrastructure and has a strong record of working across the aisle to drive transportation innovation and advocate smart policy solutions,” said Belcher.
Ashley Simmons joins ITS America as director of communications, where she will lead strategic communications and media outreach efforts. Simmons previously served as communications director of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), where she developed expertise in media relations and outreach strategies designed to drive policy initiatives on behalf of the high-tech sector. Simmons was most recently an account director with the David All Group, where she developed digital strategies for issue-advocacy campaigns for D.C.’s most prominent trade associations and Fortune 500 companies. Prior to that, Simmons worked for the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) as a press liaison and supported advocacy efforts on intellectual property.
Belcher added: “Ashley has a proven track record of developing and executing strategic communications campaigns for trade associations. Her background in technology policy communications, media outreach and online advocacy will be invaluable to our members. She is a great addition to our growing and talented team.”
Eliana Velez joined ITS America as communications specialist in August from the National Hispana Leadership Institute, where she served as communications manager in charge of media and member outreach strategy and social media. She previously served as communications consultant with Swedepeace in Sweden, editor of the Nordic Fund Selection Journal and Blog in Switzerland, and as a media accreditation liaison for the United Nations. Her experience includes blogging, website strategy, fundraising, video production, and branding. Having lived and worked abroad, Velez is fluent in Spanish and has a working knowledge of Italian and Swedish.
“ITS America and its members are leading the discussion on many of the top issues in the transportation technology industry today – and I am excited to be part of the conversation and this organization,” said Velez.
The communications team will work closely with the association’s new transportation thought leadership group, the ITS America Leadership Circle. Formed to advise the ITS America Board, the Leadership Circle will focus on how to further widespread ITS deployment and address challenges from traffic congestion and vehicle safety to financing and performance measurement.
“The next two years are critical to our nation’s transportation future as Congress looks at ways to finance the system, and as state and local governments work to maintain their infrastructure and improve transportation services in a tight budget environment. ITS America looks forward to playing a key role in finding solutions to these challenges,” said Belcher.
About ITS America
ITS America is the leading advocate for ITS technology development and deployment in the United States. ITS America was established in 1991 as a not-for-profit organization to foster the use of advanced technologies across America’s surface transportation system. Members include private companies and industry leaders, public agencies at all levels, universities and research laboratories. For more information, visit www.itsa.org.
About ITS America Leadership Circle
The Leadership Circle brings together private and public sector leaders in the transportation industry to promote and enhance the use of technology to solve transportation problems. More information, including the founding public sector members, can be found online.
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