Join Us: Moving Hampton Roads - Nov. 14

Transportation Town Hall November 14 Seating open from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Program will air live from 7-8 p.m. WHRO Public Media 5200 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23508 Register to attend

You are invited to “Moving Hampton Roads,” a transportation town hall moderated by Barbara Hamm Lee. Join us as we host regional transportation leaders to discuss ways for public transportation to be more efficient.

We’ll be joined by a panel of leaders from both of our region’s airports, Hampton Roads Transit, Hampton Roads Planning District, and the Virginia Department of Transportation. This public forum is an opportunity for you to ask questions and provide input on the future of the region’s transportation systems.

The forum will be aired lived on WHRO TV 15 from 7-8 p.m.

Meet the Panelists:

Robert A. Crum, Jr., Executive Director Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO)

Mr. Crum began his tenure as Executive Director of the HRPDC/HRTPO on July 1, 2015. He has over 34 years of professional community planning experience. In his role with the HRPDC and HRTPO, he is responsible for coordinating cooperation among the region’s 17 jurisdictions in areas such as regional consensus building, legislative affairs and transportation, community, environmental, housing, economic and emergency management planning. Examples of current regional initiatives include the Regional Fiber Initiative, Regional Economic Development Sites Inventory, Regional Legislative Agenda and collaborating with HRTAC in the planning, prioritization and coordination of over $5 Billion of interstate transportation improvements in the Hampton Roads region.

Robert S. Bowen, A.A.E. Executive Director, Norfolk Airport Authority

Robert has worked for the Airport Authority for 31 years, previously serving as Deputy Executive Director from 2009–2016 and as Director of Operations from 1988–2009. Prior to joining the Airport Authority, Robert was employed at Piedmont Aviation’s Norfolk International Airport general aviation facility from 1977-1987 in a succession of positions starting as an aircraft line serviceman and ending as assistant manager.

Robert has been a member of the American Association of Airport Executives since 1988, Airports Council International–North America since 2003, and has been an Accredited Airport Executive since 1995.

Michael A. Giardino, C.M. (Certified Member, American Association of Airport Executives) Executive Director, Peninsula Airport Commission

Mike retired after a 26-year (13 in Virginia) Navy career. He made numerous at-sea deployments; was in the Pentagon on 911; deployed twice to Afghanistan, and was awarded the Air Medal for rescuing 110 people in the Tar River Valley of North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd in September 1999. He concluded his career as Executive Officer of Naval Air Station Key West, FL.

Mike came to the Newport News / Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) in November 2017. Since then, in spite of the lowest enplanement totals in recent memory, PHF’s airline revenues are up 12%, load factors are routinely in the high 80 to low 90 percent range and the airport achieved a “No Findings” result on its 2019 annual FAA Part 139 inspection. PHF is celebrating its 70th year of commercial air service this year and is poised for growth.

William E. Harrell President and CEO of Hampton Roads Transit

Following his appointment in April 2012, Harrell established a vision to reshape HRT into the most efficient and customer-driven transit agency in Virginia. Under Harrell’s leadership, HRT has embarked on an aggressive plan to restore the agency’s capital budgets as the basis for improving an aging bus fleet. He has pushed hard for cost containment and improved efficiency. Harrell came to HRT from the City of Chesapeake, Virginia, where he was city manager. Harrell oversaw the day-to-day operations of Virginia’s third largest city, an operating budget of more than $900 million, and more than 4,000 full and part-time employees.

Prior to Chesapeake, he was chief administrative officer in Richmond, Virginia, where he managed more than 20 departments and agencies and a budget of more than $800 million. During his tenure, more than $450 million in private investments came to the city. Harrell also served as the city’s deputy city manager over all city operations.

Christopher G. Hall, P.E. Hampton Roads District Engineer, VDOT

Christopher G. Hall, P.E., joined VDOT as the Hampton Roads district engineer on April 18, 2019 to oversee roadway construction, maintenance and operations for nearly 10,000 lane miles in VDOT’s Hampton Roads District.

A licensed professional engineer in Virginia and Ohio, Hall has nearly 30 years of experience in leadership roles with the United States Army and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Hall recently served as the USACE District Commander for the St. Louis District, overseeing the maintenance and operations of strategic inland and navigation and water control infrastructure worth approximately $15 billion, as well as leading the execution of a $300 million construction program.