Michigan Transportation Planning Association Annual Awards

Home / About / MTPA Awards

Each year the Michigan Transportation Planning Association recognizes a group of members for its annual awards. There are four categories for these awards:

SENIOR PLANNER AWARD
Awarded to a planner who has demonstrated mastery in the multiple facets of transportation planning.

2023   Laurel Joseph, Grand Valley Metropolitan Council

2022    Sharon Gregory, Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission

2021    Andrea Faber, Grand Valley Metropolitan Council

2019    Pat Karr, Battle Creek Area Transportation Study

2018    Maja Bolanowska , Midland Area Transportation Study

2017    Steve Stepek, AICP, Kalamazoo Area Transportation Study

2016    Kimberly Gallagher, Southwest Michigan Planning Commission 

2015   Andy Tilma, Battle Creek Area Transportation Study
           Mark Kloha , Michigan Department of Transportation 


JUNIOR PLANNER AWARD
Awarded to a planner who has demonstrated significant accomplishments in the multiple facets of transportation planning with fewer than ten years of experience.

2023   Ali Townsend, Kalamazoo Area Transportation Study

2022   Dominic Pavone, Bay City Area Transportation Study

2021   Demetra Manley,  Saginaw Transportation Agency

2019    Christina Ignasiak, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments

2018    Tanya DeOliveira, Region 2 Planning Commission 

2017    Andrea Strack, Tri-County Regional Planning Commission 

2016    Mark Ferrall, Washtenaw Area Transportation Study

2015    Elisa Hoekwater, Macatawa Area Coordinating Council


BEST PRACTICES AWARD
Awarded to a TMA or MPO who has reached an agency objective or advanced the agency as a whole using creative and imaginative techniques. We encourage MDOT, FHWA, or a MPO to nominate agencies.

2023     Grand Valley Metropolitan Council  

2022     Southeast Michigan Council of Governments 

2021     Washtenaw Area Transportation Study

2019    Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission

2018    Grand Valley Metropolitan Council

2016    Washtenaw Area Transportation Study

2015    Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission


RAY LENZ FRIEND OF TRANSPORTATION AWARD 
Awarded to a federal or state representative who has provided remarkable assistance and demonstrated exceptional professionalism in working with local transportation organizations.

2023     Lindsey Dowswell, Michigan Department of Transportation      

2022    Luke Walters, Michigan Department of Transportation 

2021     Susan Weber, Federal Transit Administration

2019     Jeff Franklin, Michigan Department of Transportation 

2018      Heidi Phaneuf, Michigan Department of Transportation 

2017      Eric Mullen, Michigan Department of Transportation 

2015      Racheal Tupica, Federal Highway Administration