Meet the PART Staff

Executive Director,
Brent McKinney, P.E.

While with the City of Winston-Salem, Mr. McKinney was one of the original members who first met in 1989 to discuss the formation and need to establish a regional transportation authority in the Piedmont Triad.  Brent's career includes public service at the local, state and regional government levels in all areas of the transportation profession.  He has served in leadership positions with the North Carolina Section, the Southern District and the International Board of Directors for the Institute of Transportation Engineers. In addition, he has received numerous awards for his years of service to the transportation profession.  He has been an adjunct instructor for several years at North Carolina A & T State University and is a registered Engineer in the State of North Carolina. Mr. McKinney is responsible for the daily operation and management of PART.

Executive Assistant,
Alphanie McCall

Ms. McCall received her Bachelor's Degree in Business Economics from North Carolina A&T State University in 2001. She began her career with PART in March 2003 when she became the Administrative Assistant. She has an extensive background in office related activities and is primarily responsible for the daily administrative duties of the office.

Special Projects Coordinator,
Lisa Chislett

Mrs. Chislett has an extensive background in office related duties. Her experience in large corporations has enabled her to develop multiple administrative and marketing activities for the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation. Mrs. Chislett is primarily responsible for marketing the many services provided by PART concentrating on the continued growth of regional cooperation and improved transportation services.

Chief Financial Officer
Tonya Dupree

Ms. Dupree previously held the position of Budget & Financial Reporting Administrator for Triangle Transit where she was a leader of Triangle Transit’s Finance team, providing all aspects of financial accountability, including budgeting, accounting, grants, and reporting. She has strong ties to the Disability Community where she is well versed in the laws of the ADA and serves as a Board Member for the Alliance of AIDS Services of North Carolina. Ms. Dupree holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Regional Planning and Business Administration from East Carolina University and has completed graduate level studies in Public Policy at NC Wesleyan and NC State.

Grants Manager
Le'Teya Hargrove

Ms. Hargrove received two Bachelor’s Degrees in Accounting and Applied Mathematics from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University in 2006. She brings to PART prior experience as an auditor. Ms. Hargrove is looking forward to expanding her accounting knowledge and analytical skills. As the new Accountant for PART, she will assist the Finance Officer in planning, organizing, and directing financial management.

Senior Accountant
Henry Litchford

Mr. Litchford previously worked as a controller in small business and not for profit organizations. Henry is a graduate of UNC-G with a degree in accounting and is also a CPA. Henry has 30 years experience in accounting systems, cash management, financial accounting and reporting and internal controls. Henry is looking forward to working with the accounting staff to enhance the fiscal management of PART.

Staff Accountant
Dianna Thomason

Mrs. Thomason has worked in accounting for the past thirteen years in the areas of financial statement preparation, account analysis, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll.  She has worked for CPA firms, corporations, and a non-for-profit organization. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Catawba College and an Associate in Applied Science degree from Davidson County Community College. 

Program Manager of Development & MPO Coordination,
Scott Rhine

Mr. Rhine has worked in both fixed route and human services transportation sectors. As a professional planner Mr. Rhine most recently served as a senior transportation planner for the NCDOT primarily dealing with state and federal urbanized area funding programs, infrastructure requirements and regulations and planning needs associated with various transit operations throughout North Carolina. Mr. Rhine is primarily responsible for coordinating the PART work program with the four Metropolitan Planning Organizations in the Region.

Regional Transportation Modeler,
Joonhyo (John) Kim

Mr. Kim joins PART with a Masters of Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University, PhD from Penn State University and 9 years of professional experience in transportation engineering and planning. Mr. Kim is looking forward to contributing to the improvement of transportation system in the Triad. Mr. Kim is primarily responsible for travel demand modeling through regional cooperation.

Modeler/GIS Planner
J.D. Stewart

Mr. Stewart joins PART from the City of Greensboro Department of Transportation where he has worked on transportation related mapping and asset management. Mr. Stewart’s responsibilities for PART will include GIS mapping, as well as, enhancing the Regional Travel Demand Model.  Mr. Stewart attended Guilford College and holds degrees in Political Science and Environmental Studies.

Program Manager of Operations,
David Morris

Mr. Morris has an extensive background in public transportation in the State of North Carolina. This includes management of the Greenville Area Transit System, Ridesharing Services & Vanpooling of the Piedmont and Assistant General Manager of the Winston-Salem Transit Authority. Mr. Morris is also the recipient of the Governor's Public Transportation Award for outstanding service to public transportation in North Carolina.

Program Manager of Marketing & Communications,
Brooke Kochanski

Ms. Kochanski received her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Ms. Kochanski promotes the many programs and services provided by PART concentrating on the continued growth or regional cooperation and improved transportation services. Ms. Kochanski manages the marketing of PART services to the public through the communication channels of website development, public relations, print materials, on-site events and presentations.

Marketing & Communications Coordinator,
Mariana Toledo

Ms. Toledo has an Associates degree in Business Administration from VWCC and graduated with her Bachelor’s in Marketing at UNCG in December 2009. She has worked on several marketing projects at UNCG, acquiring skills and experience in areas such as marketing research, consumer behaviors, and promotions. As the Marketing & Communications Coordinator at PART, she will assist the Director of Marketing & Communications with various marketing and administrative duties including survey design, maintaining a database for monthly pass sales and zip code tabulation, and assisting with on-site visits to promote transit usage.

Program Manager of Planning,
Mark E. Kirstner, AICP

Mr. Kirstner is a certified planner with over 22 years of experience in land use and transportation planning, community development and human services transit system management.  He is primarily responsible for PART activities related to the creation of mobility choices for all Triad residents, transit oriented development and walkable community designs, coordination of land use and transportation issues, development of regional systems and planning models, implementation of the Piedmont Triad Seamless Mobility Study and assisting with  PART management and operational functions. Mr. Kirstner has worked in the areas of economic development, environmental protection, strategic planning and systems analysis. He worked for Guilford County government for many years in the planning department as a planner, zoning enforcement chief and planning director. He served a few years as assistant director for community initiatives and completed his tenure with the county as the Transportation Services Director for the county’s community transportation system.

Regional Projects Coordinator,
Richard W. (Dick) Hails, AICP

Mr. Hails has 30 years of experience in working on all aspects of planning and community development for city and county government in NC. Most recently, he served as Planning Director for the City of Greensboro. Prior to that, he served as Interim Director and Assistant Director for the Durham City-County Planning Department. He also has been active on MPO planning matters and on land use planning for rail transit projects by regional transit agencies. He has worked for non-profit organizations and managed major redevelopment projects as well. He has served in leadership positions at both state and national levels of the American Planning Association. He has had extensive experience in directing major planning projects and regulatory overhauls and managing countless rezoning cases and other development review plans. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from Stanford University and a Masters degree in Planning from the University of Tennessee.

Mobility & Systems Planner
Kyle Laird

Mr. Laird received an Associate’s degree in Photojournalism from Randolph Community College, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Hampden-Sydney College and Master of Arts degree in Geography and Planning at Appalachian State University. He joins PART after completing an internship with the Economic Evaluation Unit of the European Railway Agency in Valenciennes, France. At PART, Mr. Laird will work with the Senior Transportation Planner researching transit infrastructure and policy issues working toward the continuing growth and development of PART’s transportation plans for the Triad.

Transportation Demand Manager,
Chantale Wesley-Lamin

Mrs. Wesley joined PART with over nine years of management and sales experience within the banking industry. Her drive and commitment towards the community assists in making her an asset to our team. Mrs. Wesley utilizes a hands-on approach to actively educate and assist our community in making better commuter choices. She looks forward to utilizing her TDM role to improve the region’s quality of life by promoting the use of alternate transportation options instead of a single-occupant vehicle.

Rideshare Coordinator,
Stefany Sowell-McDuffie

Ms. Sowell-McDuffie is a specialist with carpool matching and vanpool leasing in the Piedmont Triad area. Ms. Sowell has a BA degree in communications from WSSU and over 15 years of experience in public transportation. She is responsible for the coordination of over 60 vanpools commuting throughout the region.

Rideshare Coordinator,
Ruby Randall

Mrs. Randall is also a specialist with carpool matching and vanpool leasing throughout the Piedmont Triad. Mrs. Randall is a former fire-fighter for the City of Winston-Salem and transit operator for the Winston-Salem Transit Authority with over 12 years of experience in public transportation. She is responsible for the coordination of over 60 vanpools commuting in the Piedmont Triad.

Buddy Ride Coordinator,
Ray Coble

Mr. Coble joins PART with over 36 years in Real Estate sales along with over 12 years combined experience in chemical sales and casualty underwriting. He attended Guilford College and holds a degree in Sociology. Mr. Coble will be responsible for identifying opportunities to increase ridership, promoting PART services to individuals and groups, and conducting Buddy Rides to educate Piedmont Triad citizens on how to use transit.