Who We Are

Alex is a transportation analyst with 15 years of experience in transportation planning and big data. Prior to joining CS in 2023, he worked in the Division of Operations Planning for MTA New York City Transit for seven years. Alex brings expertise in transit operations, technology, data, and analytics.

Interests & Hobbies

Outside of work, Alex is usually watching RuPaul's Drag Race or playing with kitchen gadgets. He lives in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

Baird Bream is a Senior Associate at Cambridge Systematics, Inc. (CS) team with a specialization in human services transportation planning, regulatory compliance and performance management. He has experience applying regulatory standards to operational environments, organizational frameworks, and planning processes to ensure compliance with Federal and state program standards and to encourage the adoption of best practices. He has developed project prioritization and policy analysis frameworks to support long-range planning efforts for transportation departments and transit agencies across the country, with a focus area on emerging mobility solutions for non-traditional transit markets and populations. 

Interests & Hobbies

In his free time, Baird enjoys running, cooking, exploring neighborhoods, and cheering for the Memphis Grizzlies. He lives in Chicago. 

Alex has over 15 years of experience as a strategic transportation planner, providing insights across a range of issues at the metropolitan level. Prior to joining CS, Alex was Assistant Director with the Genesee Transportation Council, where he was responsible for the Transportation Improvement Program and implementation of an innovative, multi-modal performance-based planning process in the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region.

Interests & Hobbies

Alex lives in Rochester and enjoys hiking and swimming with his wife, twin daughters, and their golden retriever, Gus.

Marlene has 30 years of experience in transportation management and planning. She blends private and public sector experience with an intense personal commitment to improving transportation policy. She was previously the chief executive officer of the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority in Springfield, MA where she directed numerous changes in service delivery, consolidated the fixed route and paratransit services programs, and implemented a systematic financial improvement process that improved efficiency while enhancing mobility. Following her time at PVTA, Marlene was a Director of Planning at CDM Smith and at Urbitran Associates. In 2015, Marlene launched her own consulting business (Marlene Connor Associates, LLC) which works primarily with public sector clients to improve public transportation and mobility.

Her experience includes a wide range of public transportation planning projects in modes from ADA paratransit to Bus Rapid Transit as well as studies that include operations, policy development, management and organization, IT, and financial analysis and review. Marlene is Past Chair of the American Public Transportation Association’s Mobility Management Committee and also Chair’s the Legislative Committee’s Intergovernmental Issues Subcommittee, and the Access Committee Subcommittee on Emerging Technology committees. Marlene is also a member of the TRB Study Committee on the Role of Transit and Mobility Management

Dr. Newman is an expert at developing and using demand forecasting models, with more than 20 years of expertise across a broad portfolio of applications, including urban planning, public safety, and aviation. He is the author of Larch, an award-winning open source tool for the estimation and application of large-scale advanced discrete choice models, and a developer for ActivitySim. He has played a key role in developing and maintaining the travel demand models used by the California High-Speed Rail Authority, and has led the development of TMIP-EMAT, an exploratory modeling and analysis toolbox.

Interests & Hobbies

Jeff has served as a volunteer firefighter, has performed improv for a sold out crowd at the Park West theater, and defeated a political machine incumbent for election to public office in Chicago. He currently lives and bikes year-round in La Crescent, Minnesota where he serves on the school board for the La Crescent Montessori and STEM school.

Pearl graduated from UCLA Master of Urban and Regional Planning in June 2023. During her graduate studies, she worked with various public transportation agencies on environmental planning for transportation projects and active transportation projects. Pearl completed her Master program with the awarded capstone project on addressing gender-based violence on public transit.

Interests & Hobbies

In her free time, Pearl enjoys traveling and exploring different cultures. She's a regular at the reformer pilate workout classes!

Sue oversees the facilities management of Cambridge Systematics’ corporate and branch offices which includes monitoring active leases, orchestrating office moves, renovations and initiating and maintaining vendor relations and agreements. Ms. Krabbe works closely with landlords, general contractors, and architects. She also develops, monitors and manages the operating budgets for all office locations. She also serves as the Assistant Secretary to the Corporation and manages the firm's office administrators.

Interests & Hobbies

In her free time Sue enjoys volunteering with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), traveling, gardening, reading and exploring New England beaches and mountains. She no longer volunteers with a dog rescue after her failed attempt at fostering lead to the adoption of now 14-year old Fannie.

Mark is a Senior Assoicate at Cambridge Systematics with expertise in Travel Demand Model application and development, transit ridership forecasting, discrete choice models, and toll road studies. Mark has been involved in a wide variety of projects since he began his transporation planning career in 2005, many of them utilizing his background in applied math and statistics.

Interests & Hobbies

In his free time, Mark enjoys playing his electric and acoustic guitars, running, hiking, playing board games, and spending time with his 12-year-old daughter Allison (with two Ls) and his partner Alison (with one L).

Over 25 years of private and public sector transportation planning, policy and performance management experience allows me to understand, tailor and exceed CS client needs. I have a passion to solve complex State DOT and MPO needs through collaborative, team-oriented, client-centric solutions which harness the power of objective, data driven and industry leading approaches unique to Cambridge Systematics.

Interests & Hobbies

I enjoy anything outdoors and competitive - early morning cross fitness workouts, bike rides with my family, rousing family board/card games, college sports and spending extended time at North Carolina beaches and mountains. I love to patron hole in the wall establishments and can't resist a frequent dose of locally sourced goods - especially coffee, ice cream and NC barbeque.

Price has worked in transportation planning for over 10 years and specializes in federal compliance, human service transportation and paratransit, grant writing, and data analysis. Prior to his time consulting, he worked in both the public and nonprofit sectors focusing on public transportation and Complete Streets.

Interests & Hobbies

When Price isn't behind a computer, he is usually busy planning his next multi-day bike trip or fixing something in his old (historic?) home in Holyoke, Massachusetts. He also serves on the Holyoke Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

Nick Caccamo is a Principal of Cambridge Systematics. With more than 10 years of experience, Nick has served as Director of Contracts since 2017 and Corporate Counsel since 2019. As Director of Contracts, Nick is responsible for oversight and management of the Cambridge Systematics Contracts Group functions. This includes reviewing and negotiating contracts with public and private sector teaming partners and clients; providing guidance on contractual issues and risk assessment; providing assistance with the RFP and proposal process; and contractual, legal, and regulatory compliance. As Corporate Counsel, Nick is responsible for the renewal and maintenance of CS’ corporate insurance policies; administration, compliance, and enforcement of CS' Ethics and Business Practices Policy; general risk management; and providing legal advice and guidance to corporate leadership and staff as needed. Nick has a J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, and a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Rhetoric from University of Illinois.

Interests & Hobbies

In his free time, Nick enjoys writing, running, and attending as many concerts and Cubs games as possible. Nick lives in the Chicago area with his wife and two kids.

Feng Liu, Ph.D., is a Principal at Cambridge Systematics, Inc. (CS), serving as National Practice Lead in Model Application and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager for travel demand forecasting. Dr. Liu had more than 25 years of experience in both public and private sectors, including a wide spectrum of planning and modeling issues at local, metropolitan, and state levels. He has proven strong technical expertise in a variety of state-of-practice and state-of-art modeling techniques and methods, including model development in small urbanized areas, medium and large metropolitan areas, and at the statewide level, and a proven record of successfully applying a variety of models to a wide range of planning issues, such as regional, corridor, and sub-area planning, transit and highway planning, alternatives analysis, FTA New Start projects, traffic and revenue forecasting, Smart Growth, long-range transportation planning, and environmental justice analysis. He has a proven track record of managing complex and challenging projects.

Interests & Hobbies

In his free time, Feng enjoys classical music, travel, and outdoor activities.

Mr. Harrington is Regional Manager for Cambridge Systematics’ planning practice in the Mid-Atlantic region with more than 28 years of professional experience in transportation planning in the public and private sectors. Tom has served as a Project Manager in multiple studies that focus on transit systems planning, transit corridor studies and alternatives analysis, and performance-based multimodal evaluation and project prioritization.

Interests & Hobbies

In his free time, Tom spends time biking and swimming. He lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with his wife Claire and daughter Fiona.

Ms. Wakeman has more than 10 years of experience and serves as a Senior Designer. At Cambridge Systematics (CS), she conceives and creates a full range of design products, including infographics, logos, product overviews, brochures, print ads, posters, and cards—integrating new design concepts and themes to meet unique requirements of individual clients. She edits documents for grammar, spelling, punctuation, format, and overall consistency according to the firm’s style sheet or client guidelines. She creates special formats and templates from client specifications and proofreads completed hard copies of documents for revision quality and correct formatting. She is trained in ArcGIS and has developed a range of maps for project deliverables. In addition, she has extensive experience in Section 508 compliance.

Interests & Hobbies

In her free time she enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, hiking, and cooking new dishes.

Ms. Ni joined Cambridge Systematics in 2019 as a Travel Demand Modeler with diverse range of skills and interests in travel demand modeling, big data analytics, transportation and land use, and transportation policies.

Interests & Hobbies

Xuenan likes soccer and boxing (pre-covid).

Throughout his career at CS, Joe Zissman has sought creative, innovative solutions to transportation problems. He takes pride in a track record of engaging products that are attractive, communicate with clarity, and reflect well on clients. He has substantial experience working with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation on a diverse slate of projects: asset management, capital planning, freight and multimodal planning, shared travel, and congestion management. He has supported public sector clients across the United States in all of these fields as well, and has been a substantial contributor to Federal research on performance, asset, and risk management, communication, and data visualization.

Interests & Hobbies

Joe has had the wonderful luck to apply his passion for Boston's urban and development history in so much of his professional work. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Natalie recently graduated from Florida State University with her Masters in Urban and Regional Planning and previously worked as a Transportation Planning Intern at Hall Planning and Engineering. 

Interests & Hobbies

In her free time, Natalie enjoys playing ultimate frisbee and other sports. 

With nearly 15 years of experience in transportation finance, planning, and operations, Ms. Chapman assists clients in developing financial models to analyze operating costs, fee structures, and capital needs; assessing alternative revenue sources and regional economic impacts; as well as compiling financial assessments to ensure capital sources and/or operating funds match programmed uses.

Interests & Hobbies

Emma enjoys exploring Chicago's many neighborhoods by bike as well as riding new transit systems. She lives in Chicago with her husband, an architect and city planner, and their dog and cat.

Rich has more than 22 years of experience in transportation planning at the Federal, state, and local levels. He provides strategic planning, policy analysis, and management advice to address complex transportation challenges, with a focus on metropolitan planning and performance-based planning and programming. He has worked with Metropolitan Planning Organizations and their planning partners across the country as staff, consultant, and association representative. He has expertise in developing and applying objective analytical methods to assess and select effective approaches to a range of transportation issue areas.

Interests & Hobbies

In his free time, Rich enjoys making cocktails for family and friends and spending time outdoors.

Mr. Patel brings over 20 years of professional experience in business and engineering to Cambridge Systematics, specializing in asset management, operations and maintenance, systems engineering, software implementation, change and quality management, CAPEX and OPEX budgeting, program and performance management, creative problem solver, process and standards development, business strategy, departmental mergers, and developing highly effective cross-functional teams. For the past nine years, Mr. Patel has had a leadership role in Asset Management for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), becoming a nationally recognized leader in the field.

Interests & Hobbies

In his free time Sati enjoys his family and friends and living asset management! as an active DIY-er he has decades of experience remodeling his own home and that of family members. Sati also loves to learn and experience new things and meet new people as he and his family explore the United States. He lives and works in Massachusetts and has 5 children.

Richard is a Junior Analyst at Cambridge Systematics (CS) and has been a team member since 2018. In his 3 years with CS he has worked in various planning related capacities including congestion management, transit planning, long range plans, safety studies, resilience planning and other technical and non-technical capacities. Prior to his joining CS, he worked with the Mobility Policy Research team at the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida for 4 years where he conducted Florida travel behavior research that informed Florida Department of Transportation Central Office decision making. Throughout his time at CUTR he earned his Bachelor and Masters degrees in Transportation Engineering, held office with the University’s Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) chapter, was the captain and champion of the ITE National Traffic Bowl competition, and was the recipient of the United States Department of Transportation National Center for Transit Research Outstanding Student of the Year Award 2017. He is currently located in the CS Denver office where he works closely with the Colorado DOT Freight Advisory Council and the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Interests & Hobbies

Richard's interests include playing and watching sports of all kinds, hiking, swimming, exploring local restaurants and challenging himself to try new things.

Lily holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX as well as a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. Prior to joining CS, Lily worked as a Management and Program Analyst Student Trainee with the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General where she supported the Procurement & Acquisitions auditing team. Prior to this, Lily managed the Alamo Commutes transportation demand management program at the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization in San Antonio, TX.

Interests & Hobbies

In her spare time, she enjoys all things food - eating it, reviewing it, cooking it, watching it, reading about it, and talking about it. She lives in Ithaca, NY with her fiancé and rescue dog.

Andreas is a recognized expert in rail technology and operations, freight logistics, economics, marketing, asset management, and transportation policy. He has been involved in a broad range of assignments involving analysis of all surface modes (marine, rail, and highway), intermodal freight systems, and supply chains for public and private clients. He has extensive experience conducting policy-level statewide rail and freight planning studies, having held senior roles in developing plans for over one dozen states and regional governments. Private sector engagements include economic and market analyses for Class I railroads, shippers, and suppliers; analysis of public benefits from rail investment; regulatory proceedings; and, management of rolling stock assets.

Interests & Hobbies

Andreas takes advantage of the outdoors from his home in the Boston area whenever he can, including cycling, hiking, and skiing.

Wendy has more than 19 years of experience coordinating and developing strategic proposals for state and local transportation agencies. She supports the firm's new business activities in the Western region.

Interests & Hobbies

In her free time, Wendy coaches her daughters softball team and enjoys watching her kids play baseball, hockey, soccer, and softball.

Raphael has over a decade of cross-functional experience in transportation and transit, in both public and private transportation organizations. At CS, he helps guide strategy for mobility information software and serves as a project manager for engagements involving customer-facing real-time data and multimodal trip planning.

Ms. Charly Gutierrez is a Junior Associate of Cambridge Systematics (CS) with 2 years of experience in transportation safety planning, transportation policy planning, regional multimodal transportation and transit planning, urban planning, land use planning. Charly also has experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and its applications to perform spatial analysis, data manipulation, and map production. 

Interests & Hobbies

In her free time, Charly enjoys boating, biking, and making homemade pasta. She lives in Tampa, Florida with her high energetic Australian Shepherd name Zara. 

Dan is a senior freight project manager with 19 years of experience in transportation planning and 18 years in public relations, outreach, and marketing. In addition to managing regional and state freight plans, recently he has led numerous truck parking studies. Dan has also served as PM or planning lead for long-range planning studies; multi-state corridor studies and coalitions; bicycle and pedestrian master plans; and other transportation planning projects. He has a bachelor's degree in International Relations from Brigham Young University, and master’s degree in Environmental Management and Policy from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Dan is assigned to our Los Angeles office but works from his home in Henderson, NV.

Interests & Hobbies

Dan's loves playing with his grandkids, canyoneering, and researching his family's history. Don't ask him about any of these unless you have time to spare.

Flora Castillo has over 20 years of experience as an accomplished and nationally recognized healthcare executive and a mobility and public transportation thought leader. Castillo is the President of Pivot Strategies, LLC, a consulting firm serving the infrastructure, aviation, healthcare and insurance industries. Her executive leadership in healthcare has led to transformative customer engagement, acquisition and health promotion strategies for the nation’s leading healthcare companies, including UnitedHealthcare and AmeriHealth Caritas. As former Vice President of Transportation for UnitedHealth Group, Castillo led innovative pilots to address social determinants of health barriers and spearheaded a medical transportation services program. Castillo also brings decades of experience as a former member of the board for multiple non-profit equity, transit and media organizations including National Urban Fellows, Rail-Volution, WHYY and others. In addition, Castillo was the first Latina and sixth woman elected chair to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). In this role, Castillo represented APTA as an industry spokesperson in the U.S., Canada and other international associations. Serving as a senior policymaker and board member of New Jersey Transit between 1999 and 2019, Castillo was a champion for equity and affordability for transit-dependent riders and an advocate for service expansions and emerging technologies. Castillo holds a B.S. in Management Business Administration from Long Island University.

Navjyoth Jayashankar is a Denver-based Travel Demand Modeler Jr. with Cambridge Systematics (CS) who recently joined the firm. Navjyoth has experience in transportation modeling, optimization, networks and modeling shared mobility services. Being a captive transit-rider himself, Navjyoth is very passionate about cities needing to plan space efficient, scalable and sustainable transportation systems where one's mobility is not defined by their access to a personal car due to age, income or a disability. Prior to joining CS, Navjyoth completed his Ph.D. in Transportation Systems Engineering from University of California, Irvine (UCI) in August 2023. Navjyoth brings technical expertise in agent-based modeling platforms such as POLARIS; programming languages such as C++ and Python; and optimization packages such as CPLEX and Gurobi; as well as network and spatial analysis packages such as networkx and geopandas.

Interests & Hobbies

Outside of work, Navjyoth loves to engage in bus-fanning and rail-fanning, listen to Ludovico Einaudi, and watch soccer.

Evan leads CS planning practice in the Mountain West. He specializes in integrated planning, performance, and policy analysis. He has developed long range plans, performance processes, and prioritization efforts for DOTs in Colorado, Utah, Nevada. Evan supports CS work in strategic planning for philanthropic, workforce, economic development, and regional visioning organizations.