Changes to the Leadership Team at MTA
MTA is celebrating several promotions in its leadership team.
Ryan Ponder
MTA
Ryan Ponder has been promoted to Vice President of Legal, Regulatory, and Government Affairs. His previous title was Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs; in his new position, Ponder continues to advance MTA’s tribal and government relations strategies. Ponder is dedicated to navigating the complex regulatory landscape, and his leadership has enabled his team to excel.
Carin Yeh
MTA
Carin Yeh, previously a Grants Officer, is promoted to Manager of Grants and Regulatory Affairs. Since joining MTA, Yeh has demonstrated an exceptional level of expertise and dedication to ensuring MTA’s regulatory compliance. The co-op says her new leadership role will yield opportunities to make positive impacts on the telecom regulatory environment.
Jess Gilbert
MTA
Jess Gilbert has been promoted to Director of Marketing and Communications, after serving as Corporate Communications Manager since 2019. In this new role, Gilbert will continue to empower her teams while overseeing marketing along with all external and internal communications at MTA, including initiatives involving the MTA Foundation and MTA Gaming.
Current Issue
September 2026
What happens when a city with fewer than 300 residents becomes a major freight and tourism hub, despite being accessible only by boat, plane, or a one-lane highway/railroad tunnel managed on a strict schedule?
If you’re in the City of Whittier, you get busy. The city has two separate transportation planning efforts underway, including a safety action plan under the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All initiative, which focuses on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and emergency responders. The second is Whittier Moves, the city’s transportation master plan, which serves as the long-term roadmap for growth.