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A Fond Farewell to Founding Director Brian J. Turner

Posted September 2016

Today, the first day of September, officially marks the retirement of the Transportation Learning Center’s Founding Director, Brian J. Turner. Working with former Transport Workers Union President Sonny Hall, Turner created the Center in 2000 as a nonprofit institution that could bring labor and management together around shared concerns on skills training and safety. Dr. Beverly Scott, then leading an APTA task force on the future of the transit workforce, was recruited by Turner and became an early and enthusiastic management representative on the first Board of Directors.

Brian himself often jokes that he just doesn’t know how to take “no” for an answer. The Center continues to exist because of his persistence and determination that a labor-management approach to workforce development is essential for the industry’s future. While Brian will pursue other interests, he remains committed to the Center, serves on its Board and will be at least an occasional advisor to current staff.

Stay tuned for an announcement of an official going away celebration tentatively planned for Fall 2016.

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