Welcome to COMTO District of Columbia
COMTO was created to provide a forum for senior minority professionals in the transportation industry.
The voice of Equity.
COMTO’s mission is to provide full access to employment, career and contract opportunities for minorities within the transportation industry. Over the past thirty years, our mandate has evolved to include not only public transportation industry executives, but also professionals at every level of industry encompassing a variety of fields and disciplines. Now, as was then, members are encouraged to share information, opportunities and personal expertise. With 39 chapters throughout the United States, our mission is as relevant today as we strive to provide full access to employment, career and contract opportunities for minorities within the transportation industry.
Leadership
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Jeffrey Parker
President
Jeff has been a registered professional engineer since 2002 and a certified Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE) since 2005. He is a registered P.E. in Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia and has worked on projects in each of these locations throughout his career. In addition to serving as President of COMTO DC, he is active in local chapters of other professional organizations including the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) and the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS). Jeff recently received the WTS-DC 2023 Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award.
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Brandon Buckner
Vice President
Brandon Buckner has served as the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) DC Division Deputy Division Administrator since February 2020. In this capacity, he is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the DC Division, as well as providing leadership, guidance and direction to DC Division staff and the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) in the implementation of the District's Federal-Aid Program.
Brandon also served as a Transportation Specialist in the Office of Planning on the Transportation Planning Capacity Building Team, where he provided leadership, technical assistance, and guidance to FHWA, State DOT, and metropolitan planning organization stakeholders in the areas of freight, multi-jurisdictional coordination and planning, performance-based planning and programming, transportation performance management, and community connections.
Brandon has several years of field experience, having served as the lead transportation planner in the Louisiana Division from 2013 to 2017 and as a community planner in the same Division from 2011 to 2013. Brandon also worked in the South Carolina Division as a community planner from 2009 to 2011.
Brandon holds a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and Anthropology from St. Mary's College of MD and a Master's Degree from Morgan State University in City & Regional Planning.
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Aasiyah Blow
Secretary
Aasiyah Blow serves as the Employee Engagement and Communications Officer for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). In her role, she is responsible for streamlining and managing the entire lifecycle of internal communications at The Secretary's Office (TSO) and across MDOT, spanning 10,000 employees. She collaborates closely with executive leadership to ensure all employees are well-informed and aligned with the organization's goals and values. With a keen sense of engagement and communication opportunities, Aasiyah proactively connects with key internal stakeholders to pursue collaboration opportunities that impact the organization's success.
Previously, Aasiyah served as Senior Manager, External Affairs for a leading minority transportation organization, the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), overseeing public-facing communications and marketing campaigns and initiatives. She also served in a communications and marketing role for a top A&E firm, HNTB, leading internal communications, supporting engagement strategies and campaigns, and managing marketing packages for some of their major clients. As a highly motivated, energetic young leader, Aasiyah has demonstrated a unique skill set that includes problem-solving, technical excellence, innovation, and decision-making.
Aasiyah is currently pursuing her second master’s in strategic communications, but recently she graduated Cum Laude with her MBA in Management with a concentration in Marketing & Communications from the University of Maryland Global Campus and holds a BA in Mass Communications from the Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. As an avid supporter of women’s empowerment and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI), Aasiyah embodies equity, respect, and integrity. Outside of work, Aasiyah loves exercising, reading, trying new vegan restaurants and spending time with her friends, family, and sorors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (Ooo-Oop!).
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Charnelle L. Hicks
Treasurer
Charnelle leads a multidisciplinary urban planning firm where we address complex planning and infrastructure challenges for clients nationwide. She works with talented, committed professionals with diverse backgrounds and interests. She has worked with CHPlanning since 1998 after 15 years in municipal planning, infrastructure, and management consulting.
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