STV’s Transportation Planner Tabia Gamble, AICP, was recently honored by two industry organizations for her leadership, industry contributions, and career prospects.
Gamble received a President Award from the Maryland Chapter of Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO MD) for her outstanding leadership and dedication to its Emerging Leaders Program, and recently completed the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) Foundation’s Industry Leader Development Program (ILDP).
“It is such an honor to be recognized by these two organizations,” said Gamble, who joined STV in 2022 and works in our Owings Mills, MD, office. “Through the ARTBA program I was able to network with professionals across the industry, learn ways to better support my clients here in Maryland, and gained a better understanding of the importance of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding and its impact on our industry. The COMTO MD award is particularly meaningful to me. COMTO has opened several professional opportunities for me and has allowed me the opportunity to give back to students. Through COMTO I have not only gained mentors, but also friends.”
Gamble joined COMTO MD in 2018 and has served as its Emerging Leaders Committee Chair since 2020. In that role, she helps cultivate the next generation of industry leaders by offering networking, mentoring, and professional development opportunities.
“With the help of my amazing committee members, we have been able to introduce students and young professionals to the many career paths within the transportation industry,” Gamble said. “Over the last three years, our committee has created two programs to help develop emerging leaders. The Professional Development Series provides resources, guidance, and opportunities for college students. We offer resume and cover letter review, provide training on professional communication, and host mock interviews. The Mentorship and Speaker Series is a program geared toward junior level professionals that provides small group discussion and speaker sessions. Both programs provide valuable resources and necessary support to the next generation of leaders.”
The ARTBA Foundation’s ILDP was held late last month in conjunction with its Federal Issues Program and the Transportation Construction Coalition Fly-In. Gamble and 35 other emerging industry leaders completed the program, which is an intensive introduction to federal legislative and regulatory issues. Participants expanded their knowledge of industry economics; how transportation in the U.S. works; and how companies can become politically engaged regarding transportation policy issues.
“The Maryland planning team and I are so proud of Tabia,” said Rex Lloyd, associate and planning manager. “As I reflect on Tabia’s first year with the organization, it’s easy to see how she was selected for these honors. She has shown herself to be energetic, resourceful, diligent, productive, and motivated. She is a valued team member on every assigned project, fits in perfectly with the Maryland team, and connects seamlessly with other colleagues.”