Rebekah Scheinfeld is the new CDOT commissioner

Anyone know anything about her?

From http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_r...:

December 31, 2013

Mayor Emanuel Announces Rebekah Scheinfeld to be New Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation

Experienced Leader with Extensive Transportation Background to Take Reins at CDOT and Continue The Mayor’s Record of Expanding Transportation Option for All Chicagoans
Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today appointed Rebekah Scheinfeld to be the new commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and will submit her nomination for City Council approval.

“In two and a half years, Chicago has become a national leader in expanding transportation options and rebuilding infrastructure. Rebekah will continue to build on our successful record and ensure that every Chicagoan has access to world-class transportation systems,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Her strong management and planning skills will bring a lot to the agency as it continues the critical work of making sure Chicago has a strong, vibrant, accessible transportation network.”

Scheinfeld is currently the Chief Planning Officer and a Senior Vice President at the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), where she handles the CTA’s strategic planning for major capital projects and new transit service. Scheinfeld has led efforts to plan for the reconstruction of the Red Line – including 95th Street Station, reconstruction of the north section of the Red Line, and the southern extension – and for potential Bus Rapid Transit corridors. She also oversees service planning and scheduling for the bus and rail system, as well as the agency’s federal, state and local capital grants program.

“I am grateful to Mayor Emanuel for the opportunity to serve as commissioner of CDOT, and I look forward to continuing to modernize and improve the city’s transportation systems,” Scheinfeld said. “Chicago has proven itself as one of the most innovative, dynamic cities in its approach to transportation, and I am committed to cultivating this spirit of innovation to implement even more creative and effective ways to plan, build and maintain the public way.”

Scheinfeld is an attorney, having worked previously at Mayer Brown, representing public and private sector clients on major infrastructure and transportation projects. She also worked for East Lake Management & Development Corp. as a Senior Development Manager of mixed-income housing and for the New York City Parks Department as Director of Government Relations and Operations Coordinator. Scheinfeld has a BA in Urban Studies from Brown University and both her JD and MBA from Northwestern University.

Scheinfeld’s appointment is subject to City Council approval. She will begin in an interim capacity in late January.

# # #

Views: 830

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Duppie on December 31, 2013 at 5:39am

If the mayor wanted to give the middle finger to BRT nay-sayers, he could not have done a better job.

Few thoughts: She worked in the private sector and she led the red line renovation (one of a few highlights in 2013 in city government). Sounds to me like she is a leader with planning skills who drives for results.

No mention of bicyclists or pedestrians in the press release though ;)

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on December 31, 2013 at 5:43am

From her bio it would appear she has more of the bureacratic mien than did dear departed Gabe.  Does she Divvy?  Or ride her bike to work?

Permalink Reply by Lee Crandell on December 31, 2013 at 5:51am

Great choice! Rebekah is super sharp, results-oriented, understands transportation issues and is great at communicating the issues, which will be helpful for getting more people on board with the mayor's agenda.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on December 31, 2013 at 6:03am

What's her view on biking initiatives? 


Lee Crandell said:

Great choice! Rebekah is super sharp, results-oriented, understands transportation issues and is great at communicating the issues, which will be helpful for getting more people on board with the mayor's agenda.

Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on January 3, 2014 at 11:51am

The Active Transportation Alliance gives a thumbs up on Scheinfeld's appointment. Here's a blog post about it from Active Trans' executive director R...

Ted Villaire, Active Trans

Permalink Reply by Tom Z on January 3, 2014 at 5:43pm

I know this will not be a popular thing to say in this forum, but hopefully this doesn't guarantee the, IMHO, flawed plan for the Ashland Rapid Bus service will automatically get put into place.

I'm all for more transit options, but I'm not sold on this Ashland thing. This is coming from an outsider with no ties to any business along Ashland. It just doesn't appear to be well thought out. I think there is more work that needs to be done.

I do hope her appointment means continued support of bike infrastructure. 

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on January 4, 2014 at 4:58am


What doesn't appear well thought out to you?


Tom Z said:

I'm all for more transit options, but I'm not sold on this Ashland thing. This is coming from an outsider with no ties to any business along Ashland. It just doesn't appear to be well thought out.

Permalink Reply by Tom Dworzanski on January 4, 2014 at 5:14am

+1


Tom Z said:

I know this will not be a popular thing to say in this forum, but hopefully this doesn't guarantee the, IMHO, flawed plan for the Ashland Rapid Bus service will automatically get put into place.

I'm all for more transit options, but I'm not sold on this Ashland thing. This is coming from an outsider with no ties to any business along Ashland. It just doesn't appear to be well thought out. I think there is more work that needs to be done.

I do hope her appointment means continued support of bike infrastructure. 

RSS

Groups

© 2008-2016   The Chainlink Community, L.L.C.   Powered by

Disclaimer  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service