2025 Michigan Transit Impact Awards
Honors transit professionals 35 years or younger or in their first five years of employment, who demonstrate innovation, leadership, and collaboration.
- Becky Carten-Crandell, Executive Director, Interurban Transit Authority: Becky has served as Executive Director since summer of 2024, and she has since been recognized for her innovative ideas and efforts to expand transit services to new areas, resulting in significant numbers of new riders. She has also helped to add new vehicles and hire staff to boost the agency’s capacity. Becky’s exceptional communication skills and leadership support the work of her staff have been critical to her success as a new transit director.
As described by her colleagues, “Her positive attitude and energy are contagious to the staff here at Interurban Transit Authority” - John Comparoni, Driver, North Oakland Transportation Authority (NOTA): John is known for his reliability, compassion, and commitment to service, and has taken on the responsibility of training new drivers. In March of 2025, he made a life-saving decision when a passenger suffered a stroke while on his bus, allowing his passenger to receive the appropriate care.
John’s colleagues explain, “His story exemplifies the vital role that transit professionals play- not only in transportation, but in safeguarding the wellbeing of the communities they serve.” - Luca Leffew, Driver, Benzie Bus: Luca has shown exceptional initiative and commitment to professional growth. Since beginning as a part time shift driver, Luca obtained his Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and transitioned to a full-time role, demonstrating a consistently positive and welcoming demeanor described as “the gold standard” for the organization.
Luca’s colleagues share, “Luca is more than just a driver; he is an ambassador for Benzie Bus and a tremendous asset to our organization. His positive energy is infectious, and he serves as a daily inspiration to his colleagues. We are incredibly proud to have him on our team and look forward to his continued success with us for many years to come.” - People's Express: As a relatively young organization, People’s Express has grown to become Michigan’s largest nonprofit transportation agency, providing approximately 240,000 trips annually in the City of Detroit and Livingston, Oakland, and Washtenaw Counties. They offer diverse, ADA-compliant services designed to empower individuals of all ages and abilities. Their expansion in the city of Novi and other areas of Oakland County has led to significant ridership increases in previously underserved areas. Their partnerships with other regional transit agencies, local governments, employers, and human services organizations ensure their transportation services are comprehensive and inclusive.