MTA highlights internships and new planning staff as part of workforce pipeline

The MTA highlighted workforce development at the meeting, introducing summer intern Bailey Moore and new planning analyst Charlie Wessinger. Bailey, who worked through the Metropolitan Action Commission's Power Youth Summer Internship program, thanked staff for the opportunity and said the experience shaped her thinking about graduate study and a potential career in transit-related behavioral analysis.

"I have learned so much," Bailey said, adding that she had debated changing what she wants to pursue for her master's degree after the internship. The CEO also introduced Charlie Wessinger as a transit planning analyst who will support GIS mapping, data analysis and future service-change presentations. The board praised the internship program and staff mentorship as part of succession planning and broader efforts to build a local pipeline of transit professionals.

The introductions were part of a broader CEO report on projects and staffing; the board called out the agency's work on succession planning and encouraged continued engagement with youth and new staff.