2026 Public Transportation Summit

All Aboard! Public Transportation Takes Us There: Economy, Environment, Energy, Quality of Life

September 1 - 3, 2026  ·  The Riverside Hotel

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE 2026 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SUMMIT! Check back often for updates!

The annual Public Transportation Summit takes place as a means to promote coordination with agencies, local stakeholders, and organizations. The Idaho Transportation Department Public Transportation (ITD-PT) Office has put together a month-long series of technical assistance, training, workshops and peer to peer networking opportunities.  The summit’s strategic agenda is designed to help facilitate and encourage thought-provoking topics that will maximize efficiency and offer unique insight into present and future challenges facing public transportation in Idaho. 

This FREE conference will be held at the Riverside Inn and will provide excellent training opportunities as well as lunch on Wednesday and Thursday along with refreshments throughout the day.  We encourage you to register early using the button above to reserve your spot.  

The room block rate is  $191/day and will be open until 08/09/2026.  Please make sure you are referencing the Public Transportation Summit.  After this date, the hotel may or may not honor the group rate.  

Please note that all travel accommodations are the responsibility of the registrant. Rural Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) funds will be available to support eligible travel accommodations. Please submit RTAP Application to Shauna Miller, RTAP Program Manager at Shauna.Miller@itd.idaho.gov

Agenda

Tuesday, September 1
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
9:15 AM - 9:20 AM
9:15 AM - 9:20 AM
9:20 AM - 10:00 AM
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
11:45 AM - 12:00 PM
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
2:05 PM - 3:30 PM
2:05 PM - 3:30 PM
3:30 PM - 3:45 PM
3:30 PM - 3:45 PM
3:45 PM - 5:00 PM
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Meeting open to all
Wednesday, September 2
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
9:15 AM - 9:20 AM
9:15 AM - 9:20 AM
9:20 AM - 9:30 AM
9:20 AM - 9:30 AM
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
12:00 PM - 12:25 PM
12:00 PM - 12:25 PM
12:25 PM - 12:30 PM
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Reporter Lillian Karabaic spent 2 weeks riding 38 buses (and one patrol car) through Oregon’s rural communities for the award-winning 'Stop Requested’ journalism series.
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Thursday, September 3
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
This session will discuss some of the basics in Marketing that can be done on little or no budget for marketing. Topics include website updates, public speaking at service clubs, social media use, the use of AI and much more.
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
ITD Headquarters

Speakers

Anna Zivarts is a visually impaired parent and author of When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency (Island/Princeton University Press, 2024).
Assistant Director
Chris Zeilinger is Assistant Director at the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), where he has worked since 1988.
Weekend Edition Host
Oregon Public Broadcasting
Lillian Karabaic is the host of Oregon Public Broadcasting’s "Weekend Edition" and journalist focused on transit and economics. She previously worked at Trillium Transit.
Idaho State Senator
District 16
Ali Rabe is the Founding Executive Director of Gem State Housing Alliance, Idaho's first statewide pro-housing organization, and serves as a State Senator for District 16, representing Northwest Boise and Garden City.
Idaho House Representative
District 18
Brooke and her husband Jeremy Byington, an Ada County Sheriff’s Deputy, settled in District 18 following Jeremy’s service in the United States Army and 2008 tour in Iraq.
Idaho House Representative
District 29
Dustin Manwaring is a Republican legislator from Pocatello, District 29. He has served on the House Transportation Committee and in House Leadership.
Senator
State of Idaho
Senator Melissa Wintrow is the Idaho Senate Minority Leader serving her third term in the Idaho Senate after completing three terms in the Idaho House of Representatives.
Idaho House Representative
District 26
Native Idahoan; graduate of Twin Falls High School, College of Southern Idaho Associate of Arts degree, Lewis-Clark State College Bachelor of Science degree in management, City University Master of Arts degree in management.
President/CEO
On Your Mark Transportation, LLC
Mark Szyperski is a ground transportation professional with literally a lifetime of experience to pull from. Mr. Szyperski was raised in the motorcoach industry and has held management positions dating back to 1983.
Bryan & Bryan Associates
Martha Bryan speaks nationally and internationally regarding the development of human potential and personal excellence. Fascinated by what makes some individuals strive to be the very best, Martha has devoted her life to studying peak performers.
Strategic Initiatives Administrator
Pierce Transit
Dustin Annis is the Strategic Initiatives Administrator at Pierce Transit, where he works at the intersection of data, strategy, and public transportation.
Community Development Supervisor
Pierce Transit
Nathan has spent the past seven years with Pierce Transit, where he previously led the agency's rideshare program and currently oversees the sales and outreach team.
Account Director
SOVRN
As an Account Director, Erick works with the creative teams to provide quality solutions to clients’ challenges.
Digital Content and Outreach Coordinator
Pierce Transit
Kelly is part of the Communications team at Pierce Transit, handling both internal and external digital messaging.
Communications Specialist II
Spokane Transit
Victor Rapez-Betty is a communications professional and digital strategist known for creative storytelling and brand-focused content.
Director, Strategic Communications & Marketing
GoTriangle
Wendy Mallon is the Strategic Director of Communications and Marketing at GoTriangle, where she leads an award-winning team overseeing branding, communications, digital media, stakeholder engagement, and public relations.
Social Media Public Information Officer
Idaho Transportation Department
Josie Bisgard is the Social Media Public Information Officer for the Idaho Transportation Department.
District 1 Engineer
Idaho Transportation Department
Hawkins started with ITD in 2004 as an engineer-in-training. Since then he has worked in traffic and operations and most recently as the operations manager. In 2026 he accepted the role as District Engineer for District 1.
District 2 Engineer
Idaho Transportation Department
Schumacher joined ITD in 1999 as a staff engineer and brings nearly three decades of experience to the role. His career has taken him across the state, from serving as a district materials engineer in Boise to operations engineer in Lewiston.
District 3 Engineer
Idaho Transportation Department
Brinkman, the current District 3 Engineer, has been part of the district management team as the Engineering Manager for Design & Construction since 2016.
District 4 Engineer
Idaho Transportation Department
Barrus has served as the District 4 Head Engineer since 2019.
District 5 Engineer
Idaho Transportation Department
As the district engineer, Durgin is responsible for planning, design, construction, and operations in Bingham, Bannock, Power, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida, and Bear Lake Counties.
District 6 Engineer
Idaho Transportation Department
Minzghor has served the transportation community for over 27 years. He currently serves as the District 6 Head Engineer and is the longest tenured in the State of Idaho.
The Public Transportation Advisory Council (PTAC) was also created in Idaho Code 40-514 to “advise the Department on issues and policies regarding public transportation in Idaho."
District 1 PTAC
Public Transportation Advisory Council
Ryan Luttmann was appointed as the District 1 PTAC representative in 2019. Ryan is a professional engineer and brings over 20 years of experience working in both private and public sectors.
District 2 PTAC
Suzanne is a retired transportation and communications professional with more than 30 years of experience in public transportation, and strategic marketing and communications.
District 3 PTAC
Public Transportation Advisory Council
Allan Schneider, the District 3 representative for PTAC, is a retired high school English teacher. He is a visually impaired Idahoan and serves on the board of the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
District 4 PTAC
Public Transportation Advisory Council
Jeff is an Idaho native and was born and raised in Pocatello. In 2004, he graduated from Idaho State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing.
District 5 PTAC
Public Transportation Advisory Council
Michael is a passionate disability advocate with over 15 years’ of experience working in the disability community.
District 6 PTAC
Public Transportation Advisory Council
Michelle was elected to serve on the Idaho Falls City Council in November 2015 and ran unopposed for her second term in 2019. She currently serves as the President of the Council.
Public Transportation Manager
ITD - Public Transportation Office
Ron Duran joined the ITD Public Transportation Office in 2019 as the Public Transportation Manager. Ron brings with him over 10 years of management experience in both public and private sectors.
Senior Transportation Planner
ITD - Public Transportation Office
Shauna has been with ITD since June 2012. During this time she has worked on grant management for FHWA, FTA, and State-Funded Programs. Shauna currently oversees ITD-PT’s Safety, Capital, Asset Management, and Training programs.
Grants & Contracts Officer
ITD - Public Transportation Office
Connie Edwards has been with ITD Public Transportation since May 2023 as a Grants & Contracts officer and currently works with the operational and intercity providers, as well as provides outreach by way of the PSA Program and Transporter articles.
Grants & Contracts Officer
ITD - Public Transportation Office
John is a U.S. Air Force veteran with a bachelors degree in marketing from the University of San Diego. After graduation he worked as a Procurement Officer at the Albertsons Headquarters in Boise.
Grants & Contracts Officer
ITD - Public Transportation Office
Ben Schumacker has been with the Idaho Transportation Department since December 2018. His career with ITD started in the DMV, where he spent 4 1/2 years working on both the registrations and titles teams.
Grants & Contracts Officer
ITD - Public Transportation Office
Jono McQuie has been with ITD for 3 years, working in the Drivers Licensing and DMV Admin teams before joining Public Transportation in February.
Office Specialist II
ITD - Public Transportation Office
Savannah has been with ITD since 2023. During this time she has worked on a multitude of projects such as GMS, performance reporting, event planning, etc.

Anna Zivarts

Anna Zivarts is a visually impaired parent and author of When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency (Island/Princeton University Press, 2024).

Chris Zeilinger

Chris Zeilinger is Assistant Director at the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), where he has worked since 1988.

Lillian Karabaic

Lillian Karabaic is the host of Oregon Public Broadcasting’s "Weekend Edition" and journalist focused on transit and economics. She previously worked at Trillium Transit.

Ali Rabe

Ali Rabe is the Founding Executive Director of Gem State Housing Alliance, Idaho's first statewide pro-housing organization, and serves as a State Senator for District 16, representing Northwest Boise and Garden City.

Brooke Green

Brooke and her husband Jeremy Byington, an Ada County Sheriff’s Deputy, settled in District 18 following Jeremy’s service in the United States Army and 2008 tour in Iraq.

Dustin Manwaring

Dustin Manwaring is a Republican legislator from Pocatello, District 29. He has served on the House Transportation Committee and in House Leadership.

Melissa Wintrow

Senator Melissa Wintrow is the Idaho Senate Minority Leader serving her third term in the Idaho Senate after completing three terms in the Idaho House of Representatives.

Mike Pohanka

Native Idahoan; graduate of Twin Falls High School, College of Southern Idaho Associate of Arts degree, Lewis-Clark State College Bachelor of Science degree in management, City University Master of Arts degree in management.

Mark Szyperski

Mark Szyperski is a ground transportation professional with literally a lifetime of experience to pull from. Mr. Szyperski was raised in the motorcoach industry and has held management positions dating back to 1983.

Martha Bryan

Martha Bryan speaks nationally and internationally regarding the development of human potential and personal excellence. Fascinated by what makes some individuals strive to be the very best, Martha has devoted her life to studying peak performers.

Dustin Annis

Dustin Annis is the Strategic Initiatives Administrator at Pierce Transit, where he works at the intersection of data, strategy, and public transportation.

Nathan BeVelle

Nathan has spent the past seven years with Pierce Transit, where he previously led the agency's rideshare program and currently oversees the sales and outreach team.

Erick Gutierrez

As an Account Director, Erick works with the creative teams to provide quality solutions to clients’ challenges.

Kelly Crabill

Kelly is part of the Communications team at Pierce Transit, handling both internal and external digital messaging.

Victor Rapez-Betty

Victor Rapez-Betty is a communications professional and digital strategist known for creative storytelling and brand-focused content.

Wendy Mallon

Wendy Mallon is the Strategic Director of Communications and Marketing at GoTriangle, where she leads an award-winning team overseeing branding, communications, digital media, stakeholder engagement, and public relations.

Josie Bisgard

Josie Bisgard is the Social Media Public Information Officer for the Idaho Transportation Department.

Ryan Hawkins

Hawkins started with ITD in 2004 as an engineer-in-training. Since then he has worked in traffic and operations and most recently as the operations manager. In 2026 he accepted the role as District Engineer for District 1.

Bob Schumacher

Schumacher joined ITD in 1999 as a staff engineer and brings nearly three decades of experience to the role. His career has taken him across the state, from serving as a district materials engineer in Boise to operations engineer in Lewiston.

Jason Brinkman

Brinkman, the current District 3 Engineer, has been part of the district management team as the Engineering Manager for Design & Construction since 2016.

Jesse Barrus

Barrus has served as the District 4 Head Engineer since 2019.

Don Durgin

As the district engineer, Durgin is responsible for planning, design, construction, and operations in Bingham, Bannock, Power, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida, and Bear Lake Counties.

Jason Minzghor

Minzghor has served the transportation community for over 27 years. He currently serves as the District 6 Head Engineer and is the longest tenured in the State of Idaho.

Public Transportation Advisory Council

The Public Transportation Advisory Council (PTAC) was also created in Idaho Code 40-514 to “advise the Department on issues and policies regarding public transportation in Idaho."

Ryan Luttmann, PE

Ryan Luttmann was appointed as the District 1 PTAC representative in 2019. Ryan is a professional engineer and brings over 20 years of experience working in both private and public sectors.

Suzanne Seigneur

Suzanne is a retired transportation and communications professional with more than 30 years of experience in public transportation, and strategic marketing and communications.

Allan Schneider

Allan Schneider, the District 3 representative for PTAC, is a retired high school English teacher. He is a visually impaired Idahoan and serves on the board of the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Jeff McCurdy

Jeff is an Idaho native and was born and raised in Pocatello. In 2004, he graduated from Idaho State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing.

Michael Lefevor

Michael is a passionate disability advocate with over 15 years’ of experience working in the disability community.

Michelle Ziel-Dingman

Michelle was elected to serve on the Idaho Falls City Council in November 2015 and ran unopposed for her second term in 2019. She currently serves as the President of the Council.

Ron Duran

Ron Duran joined the ITD Public Transportation Office in 2019 as the Public Transportation Manager. Ron brings with him over 10 years of management experience in both public and private sectors.

Shauna Miller

Shauna has been with ITD since June 2012. During this time she has worked on grant management for FHWA, FTA, and State-Funded Programs. Shauna currently oversees ITD-PT’s Safety, Capital, Asset Management, and Training programs.

Connie Edwards

Connie Edwards has been with ITD Public Transportation since May 2023 as a Grants & Contracts officer and currently works with the operational and intercity providers, as well as provides outreach by way of the PSA Program and Transporter articles.

John Seuss

John is a U.S. Air Force veteran with a bachelors degree in marketing from the University of San Diego. After graduation he worked as a Procurement Officer at the Albertsons Headquarters in Boise.

Ben Schumacker

Ben Schumacker has been with the Idaho Transportation Department since December 2018. His career with ITD started in the DMV, where he spent 4 1/2 years working on both the registrations and titles teams.

Jonathan McQuie

Jono McQuie has been with ITD for 3 years, working in the Drivers Licensing and DMV Admin teams before joining Public Transportation in February.

Savannah DeMeritt

Savannah has been with ITD since 2023. During this time she has worked on a multitude of projects such as GMS, performance reporting, event planning, etc.

No records found.

Location

Location: The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Ave., Boise, ID 83714