WASHINGTON, D.C. - ITS America has added three new staff members to its public affairs team who will strengthen the association's communication and outreach program and help promote ITS solutions for creating a smarter, safer, cleaner, and more efficient transportation system that will improve U.S. economic competitiveness and promote a more sustainable transportation future.


Emily Fishkin has been named Director of Communications at ITS America. Fishkin will be responsible for managing the organization's brand and marketing activities, leading external relations, and raising awareness of intelligent transportation systems as a key solution for the nation's transportation network.


Fishkin comes to ITS America with over six years of experience in strategic communications for high-profile transportation issues. Her experience includes managing media relations and communications for the multi-billion Alaskan Way Viaduct project in Seattle, where she worked with senior leaders at the Washington State Department of Transportation as they forged agreements on a replacement for the earthquake-damaged highway. She has also co-authored several reports related to trip reliability and ITS improvements for the Washington State Transportation Center. Fishkin received a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington, and a Bachelor of Art degree in Public Policy Studies from Duke University.


Steven Hansen has been named Director of Media Relations as part of ITS America's Campaign for Intelligent Transportation Solutions. Hansen will work with the media on issues regarding ITS America's legislative agenda and organize media and education events on Capitol Hill and around the nation.


Hansen has over fifteen years of experience promoting issues on Capitol Hill. He previously worked as the Director of Communications for the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (2001-2007) and the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources (1995-2001, 2007-2009).


While at the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, he helped lead the bipartisan media campaign during the last surface transportation reauthorization (SAFETEA-LU) which highlighted the immediate need for increased transportation investments throughout the United States, including dedicated funding for ITS deployment. He also previously served as Press Secretary for U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-AK) and former U.S. Sen. Frank Murkowksi (R-AK). He is a graduate of Linfield College in Oregon with a dual major in Communications and History.



Charlie Tennyson has joined ITS America as a Public Affairs and New Media Specialist. Tennyson will support communications and media relations efforts and help expand ITS America's social media presence.


Tennyson previously worked as a contractor for the Office of Governmental, International and Public Affairs at the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). AT RITA, Charlie assisted senior public affairs and government affairs staff with major multimodal and ITS projects. He played a key role as part of a specialized team selected to coordinate U.S. DOT Secretary Ray LaHood's Distracted Driving Summit in September 2009, and received special recognition for his efforts in helping to plan and execute RITA's cross-country Hydrogen Road Tour in August 2008. Tennyson received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Wake Forest University.