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Central Area Manager Angie Payne
Starting in 1989 I began my first "professional" job working in the Michigan Legislature for State Senator Harry Gast. As a kid I never had a goal or desire to pursue a career in politics, but it seemed like something really important at the time that not every college kid has a chance to experience. Over the 10 years, and with good mentoring from chief of staff Cheryl Chapko, my responsibilities increased. I began as an assistant working mainly to aide the Senate Appropriations Committee, ventured into work on constituent relations, and dabbled in a bit of legislation at the end focusing in the areas of natural resources and agriculture. I learned a lot about state budgeting and the politics involved. It was a rewarding experience to view the legislative process from the inside.
While working in the Michigan Legislature I was able to complete an undergraduate degree in business administration and a graduate degree in public administration. On the clock during the day and student by night made for some tough years. But then something known as term limits was enacted in Michigan and many "at will" employees grew concerned about job security.
I began searching for a new job, primarily in civil service, that provided job security for my young family – and this is how I got my start in the Transportation Demand Management industry. Upon arriving at home for the first time after giving birth to a baby girl, a call came in from a former colleague about a job with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The position was serving as a statewide rideshare coordinator. I didn't have a clue what that meant, but this path eventually led me to my job with VPSI.
I started off at MDOT reporting to Lisa Funk, an amazing boss and mentor. Tragically, Lisa passed away suddenly from pancreatic cancer not long after I joined VPSI. Lisa was my sounding board for moving from the public to the private sector. While I didn't realize it at the time, many of the skills I use today came from her teachings and I am forever thankful our roads in life crossed, if even for a brief time.
MDOT staffers quickly taught me that the "Rideshare Info" signs located on Michigan highways weren't there to inform someone where to call if they were stranded on the road or in need of a casual ride. I knew that carpooling meant giving your friends a ride from time to time or carpooling to drive to some remote area of the state with other campaign workers during election times. The fact there was something more organized to match those traveling to and from work was intriguing. But vanpooling? I never heard of such a thing! Oddly enough the idea was born in my very back yard at Chrysler Corporation.
I managed rideshare grants for MDOT with 13 agencies throughout the state, mainly metropolitan planning organizations and transit agencies. It was here that my path with VPSI converged, as I was responsible for managing a statewide vanpool program known as "MichiVan" which was carried out under contract with VPSI.
I was given great latitude to develop innovative ideas to brand the Rideshare Program and create continuity. I became involved in the Association for Commuter Transportation and networked with industry experts throughout the country, many of which remain good friends today. State highway signs were updated to something more understandable by traveling motorists. A rideshare brand and consistent marketing materials were developed. Contract agencies upgraded their ridematching software. The MichiVan Program was overhauled to implement VPSI's first project office with a passenger based billing system, a change which repositioned MichiVan for substantial growth, growing from 34 vans in 2001 to over 300 vanpools eight years later.
Along the way I met many people at VPSI's Corporate Headquarters, based in Troy, Michigan. As with the Michigan rideshare community, lifelong friendships were established. One such friendship led to an offer in late 2003 for me to join VPSI as a Midwest Manager. Making the leap from public to private sector took considerable thought. After all, I had 15 years associated with state government work. But VPSI was unique because my many interactions with them over five years taught me that they were a family oriented company who cared for and looked out for each other. VPSI leadership was, and continues to be, visionary. Workers are empowered to try new things and do the right thing where customer service is concerned. I am now fortunate to serve as an Area Manager responsible for field operations in the Central U.S. I oversee seven project offices and two commuter centers and enjoy working with state/local units of government, transit agencies, and private sector employers to forge new partnerships, bringing transportation services and consulting to emerging markets.
