EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Laura D. Chace
President & CEO
lchace@itsa.org
Laura Chace was named President and CEO of ITS America in August 2021. Her focus is to champion policies and investments that make our transportation systems safer, more innovative, and more efficient. Working collaboratively with agencies and industry leaders, Chace advances technology-driven solutions that improve how people and goods move – enhancing quality of life, supporting a thriving economy, and maintaining America’s global competitiveness.
Chace has extensive experience in strategic planning, operations, communications and advocacy, and a proven record implementing complex initiatives with strong engagement and collaboration among stakeholders.
Chace has served on several advisory committees to U.S. DOT regarding the integration of emerging technologies into our transportation system.
Chace brings 20 years in trade association management, having previously worked at USTelecom and the American Trucking Association. Early in her career, she served at the U.S. Department of Justice Office and in the White House. She holds a Bachelor of Art’s degree from Colgate University
SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Carlos Alban
Senior Vice President, Technical Programs and Strategic Partnerships
calban@itsa.org
Carlos is a proven program management expert with over 18 years of experience who provides technical guidance on a variety of projects focused on advancing the deployment of intelligent and connected transportation technologies, leads implementation of key strategic initiatives, and manages client relationships at the federal level. In his current role Carlos serves as an integral part of the organization’s Senior Leadership Team; oversees ITS America’s technical services portfolio; performs project management duties for most of ITS America’s client-based contracts and manages a group of dedicated professionals who support a variety of clients. Carlos is also responsible for managing most of ITS America’s external relationships with key industry partners.
Carlos has been in the transportation industry for over a decade and has developed an impeccable reputation for being able to convene, engage with, and educate leaders from the public and private sectors on new technology developments, vital deployment strategies, and future trends which may directly impact the ITS Industry. He has also focused on supporting knowledge transfer efforts related to innovations in transportation and emerging technologies that can help improve the efficiency and safety of the transportation system. Carlos is a respected industry resource who has superior communication and interpersonal skills which have helped him develop outstanding relationships with clients, members, partners, and colleagues alike.
Timothy Drake
Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs
tdrake@itsa.org
Timothy Drake serves as ITS America’s Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Government Affairs. He brings more than 10 years of experience in the private and non-profit sectors working on federal, state, and local transportation and infrastructure policy and developing and implementing comprehensive strategic plans regarding policy, legislative, regulatory, and funding priorities.
Tim is responsible for ITS America’s development of policy positions on transportation and infrastructure issues including automated and connected vehicles, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, emerging technologies, sustainability, and resiliency. He also oversees ITS America’s interactions with Congress and federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Department of Energy.
Tim is also responsible for ITS America’s committees, working groups, and communities of practice, where members gather to address the policy and practical issues facing the development and deployment of transportation technology and innovation.
Prior to joining ITS America, Tim was a Public Policy Associate at Squire Patton Boggs, LLP, working on transportation and infrastructure policy and regulatory affairs. He advised public and private sector clients in a variety of issue areas, including infrastructure funding, automated vehicles, transportation technologies, safety regulations, unmanned aircraft systems, economic development, public transportation, and federal agency procurement.
Rachel Rettberg
Senior Vice President, Member Engagement and Operations
rrettberg@itsa.org
Rachel Rettberg serves as the Senior Vice President of Member Engagement and Operations. In this capacity, she holds a crucial position within the organization by overseeing various departments and ensuring effective collaboration with members.
One of Rachel’s primary roles is overseeing the events and education department. She plays a key role in planning educational programming and networking opportunities for both ITS America members and industry stakeholders. Rachel manages various activities such as organizing digital offerings like webinars as well as coordinating in-person forums, meetings, workshops, and roundtables. By providing diverse platforms for knowledge sharing and networking among professionals in the field of intelligent transportation systems (ITS), she contributes to advancing innovation within this sector. Rachel takes charge of planning major events like ITS America’s Conference & Expo and ITS World Congress events.
Another important aspect of Rachel’s role is overseeing the membership and communications department. She works towards developing strategies to enhance member engagement and satisfaction. By understanding the needs and expectations of members, she aims to create a seamless experience for them while also fostering strong relationships between the association and its members. This includes developing effective communication channels to keep members informed about relevant updates, initiatives, and opportunities within ITS America. Through clear and concise messaging, she ensures that information reaches members in a timely manner.
PUBLIC POLICY
Bobby McCurdy
Vice President, Policy and Advocacy
bmccurdy@itsa.org
Bobby is the Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at ITS America, where he focuses on policy development, legislative and regulatory strategy, and external advocacy on ITS America’s member priorities – particularly implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Vehicle-to-Everything communications, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure. He has been with ITS America since mid-2019. Prior to that, he helped former Special Assistant to the President for Infrastructure DJ Gribbin launch his post-White House consulting firm and worked on both the Hill and in the Virginia General Assembly. Bobby was born and raised in Leesburg, Virginia and graduated from the University of Richmond.
Morgan Fincher
Vice President, Policy Programs and Stakeholder Engagement
mfincher@itsa.org
Morgan Fincher is the Vice President, Policy Programs and Stakeholder Engagement at ITS America. She leads ITSA’s Standing Advisory Committees, Working Groups, and Communities of Practice, aligning their work with ITS America’s strategic priorities and advancing the organization’s policy agenda. Morgan brings more than a decade of experience in program management, policy development, and stakeholder engagement across government, non-profit, and international organizations.
Before rejoining ITS America, Morgan served as a Program Officer at the U.S. Department of State, where she managed federal grant programs, ensured compliance with federal regulations, and built interagency partnerships. She previously held leadership roles in the non-profit sector, overseeing U.S. government–funded cooperative agreements and grants.
Morgan began her career in the intelligent transportation community as Congress Officer at ITS America and later at ERTICO, supporting multiple ITS World Congresses and fostering global collaboration on emerging transportation technologies.
She holds a Master of Arts in Security Studies from Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Redlands.
Annette Tucker
Senior Director of Technical Writing and Content
atucker@itsa.org
Annette Tucker is the Senior Director of Technical Writing and Content at ITS America. In this role, she works with the Policy and Technical Programs teams to conduct research and develop resources on a range of topics within ITS to advance the deployment of transportation technologies. She brings over a decade of experience in conducting rigorous primary research on human performance, safety behaviors, and motor coordination.
Prior to joining ITS America, Annette served as a Research Psychologist at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, where her work focused on understanding human decision-making to promote safer driving and evaluating behavioral impacts of large-scale transportation safety programs. She holds a PhD in Experimental Psychology from the University of Connecticut, where she was a member of the Center for the Ecological Study of Perception and Action (CESPA).
Jim Broderick
Director, Policy and Government Affairs
jbroderick@itsa.org
Jim is the Director of Policy and Government Affairs at ITS America, where he leads and supports policy development, legislative and regulatory strategy, and external advocacy for ITS America’s member priorities and the transportation technology sector. He has been with ITS America since 2023.
Prior to this, Jim crafted communications strategies and conducted policy research at a public affairs agency for Fortune 500 clients in the technology, transportation, and healthcare industries. Originally from the Detroit, Michigan area, Jim holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Notre Dame.
Courtney Sawin
Policy Programs and Engagement Specialist
csawin@itsa.org
Courtney is the Policy Programs and Engagement Specialist at ITS America. In her role she supports activities of the Public Policy Team related to contracts, grants, and various projects with focuses on Vehicle-to-Everything, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure. Prior to joining ITS America, she worked on a congressional campaign and at a government consulting firm. Courtney earned a B.A. from the University of Redlands in Public Policy and double-minored in Economics and Political Science.
MEMBER ENGAGEMENT
Andrew Barberi
Vice President of Operations
abarberi@itsa.org
Andrew Barberi is the Vice President of Operations at ITS America. Andrew oversees all organizational operations and related departments including HR, IT, Finance, and Operations. In his capacity as Vice President, Andrew also supports ITS America’s Events, Membership, and Communications teams. Prior to joining ITS America, Andrew spent the early years of his career in the education field as a teacher alongside running several district wide programs for the Eanes Independent School District. After leaving the education field in 2021, Andrew moved into corporate operations in administration for a technology start up in Austin, Texas. Later relocating to Washington, D.C., Andrew was the Operations Manager for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Government Affairs Department interfacing with many governmental agencies at all levels and handling all operational and logistical aspects of the department. In his spare time, Andrew serves as an adjudicator for several marching band and winter guard judging associations around the country maintaining his passion for the marching arts and education.
Direna Cousins
Director of Membership
dcousins@itsa.org
Direna Cousins is an empathetic leader with more than seven years of experience and demonstrated success in association management. She joined ITS America in April of 2022 as the Director of Membership, where she manages and oversees membership programs. Before joining ITS America, she was the Manager of Member Experience & Engagement at the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). She managed the member experience and engagement program, focusing on strategic engagement, retention strategies, new member onboarding, and the reengagement of existing members and stakeholders. Her role at AAPA also spanned managing the trade show exhibit sales and overall vendor management for the organization’s annual convention and trade show. She also served as staff liaison to the Information Technology and Smart Ports Technical Committee. Prior to AAPA, Direna was the Member Engagement and Digital Media Manager at APPA – Leadership in Educational Facilities Management, a trade association for facilities professionals. She developed and implemented successful membership recruitment plans and designed creative solutions and marketing deliverables, resulting in membership and stakeholder engagement growth and increased member retention.
Josephine Mayer
Senior Manager, Communications and Member Programs
jmayer@itsa.org
Josephine is the Senior Manager, Communications and Member Programs. She supports the development and execution of ITS America’s digital marketing and outreach strategy to ensure effective external communications. This involves creating brand material, developing promotional strategy, and managing social media and newsletters. Josephine graduated from the University of Redlands with a B.A. in political science and has experience working in journalism, government, and advocacy groups.
Victoria Christopher
Membership and Education Coordinator
vchristopher@itsa.org
Victoria Christopher is the Membership and Education Coordinator at ITS America with experience in business management, policy, and engagement. She provides assistance to the Membership Director and supports ITS America’s membership services, along with managing ITS America’s member webinar series and coordinating ITS America’s State Chapter Council Committee. Victoria graduated from the University of Redlands where she obtained a B.A. in Public Policy and Business Management with a minor in Spatial Studies.
Sami Salinas
Events and Education Manager
ssalinas@itsa.org
Sami Salinas is the Events and Education Manager at ITS America, where she supports the Member Engagement and Operations team in organizing large-scale conferences and association events. Prior to joining ITS America, Sami built a strong foundation in public policy and stakeholder engagement through internships on Capitol Hill, in a Congressional district office, with ITS America, and at a transportation consulting firm. Sami earned her B.A. in Public Policy and Political Science from the University of Redlands, complemented by double minors in Race and Ethnic Studies and Women and Gender Studies.
TECHNICAL PROGRAMS
Sarah Abel
Vice President, Innovative Mobility
sabel@itsa.org
Sarah Abel is the Vice President, Innovative Mobility at Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America). Sarah has a background in land use and transportation planning for all modes and people through community-led design. Prior to ITS America, Sarah was involved in advancing active transportation and road safety using the Safe System Approach, action planning and implementing Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) and Vision Zero in over a dozen communities, improving curbside management practices and multimodal transportation impact assessments, improving communities through community-led smart growth planning, and building green and complete streets in rural regions.
Sarah authored the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Safe System Approach Strategic Plan, Safe System Approach for the Urban Core Report, and Curbside Inventory Guide as week as ITE’s Multimodal Transportation Impact Assessment for Site Development. She led the City of Des Moines, Iowa Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan and contributed to the first Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessments in California and Oklahoma. Sarah wrote articles for FHWA Public Roads, ITE Journal, Road to Zero Coalition, and World Resources Institute The City Fix. She is a roadway safety professional (RSP1) and certified in social, environmental, economic design standards (SEED).
Emma Habosky
Technical Lead
ehabosky@itsa.org
Emma is a Technical Lead at ITS America. She supports the Technical Programs team by providing assistance on contract work, including transit data interoperability and multimodal transportation connectivity. She is a licensed professional engineer with extensive knowledge and expertise in the safe systems approach. Emma graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and is currently pursuing a Masters in Sustainable Urban Planning at George Washington University. She is an advocate for creating safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation systems for all people.
Kevin Viita
Technical Lead
kviita@itsa.org
Kevin is a Technical Lead in the Programs Department. Kevin joined ITS America in 2017 and has more than a decade of experience as a transportation engineer, with a focus on roadway and intersection design, traffic studies, construction planning, and traffic signal design. His work experience has spanned the public, private, and non-profit sectors across each phase of the project lifecycle. A driven advocate for ITS technologies, he brings expertise in a variety of fields, including curb management, accessibility, sustainability, V2X, and other emerging technologies. Kevin graduated with a degree in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Washington.
