NDDOT Adds Annette Tait to Transit Section

Annette Tait is the most recent addition to the North Dakota Department of Transportation's transit section. Annette joins Bruce Fuchs and Paula Jacobson in the day-to-day efforts needed to administer federal and state funding for North Dakota's transit and affiliated programs.

"Coming from another division of NDDOT, Annette already has a good overview of how the agency and, to an extent, the transit section works," said Bruce. "She's worked with us on several projects in the past, and will build on that knowledge as she becomes more familiar with the various programs we work with in this section."

Prior to accepting her new position, Annette was a public information specialist in the NDDOT Communication office, where she was responsible for media relations activities, employee communications, media buying, assisting with legislative testimony, and a variety of other communication-related functions as needed.

Annette earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication with honors from Montana State University. She is accredited in public relations through the Universal Accreditation Board, a consortium of 10 leading industry organizations that includes the Public Relations Society of America.

In her 20 years as a professional communicator, Annette has developed extensive experience in grant and proposal writing, customer service, community and government relations, and training. Her background also includes work with government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Energy, as well as the associated federal regulations those efforts entailed.

Annette also had a brief affiliation with the transit industry prior to her employment with the NDDOT. While working for a Bismarck-based public relations and advertising agency, Annette worked with Robin Werre at the Bis-Man Transit on the launch of its Capital Area Transit (CAT) fixed-route bus system.

"It was an intense several months leading up to the day the buses went into service," said Annette. "There were a lot of details that, as a former transit passenger, I had no idea went into getting a new bus system up and running. But it was a great experience, and I still feel proud when I see the route signs or see the buses in action."

Annette began using public transit buses while still in elementary school (they were a safe way to go farther than she wanted to ride her bike), and has used public transit in cities large and small throughout the United States.

Born and raised in the agricultural country of northern California, Annette's next long-term home was in her husband, Harold's, home state of Montana. The Taits came to Bismarck by way of Wyoming, where Annette spent several years working at Sheridan College. Annette and her husband have two children and three grandchildren, and live in the country with "way too many animals."

"I'm looking forward to meeting DTA members—over the phone, and in person—at upcoming meetings," said Annette. "Transit systems provide transportation solutions for a lot of people in the Dakotas, and I'm excited to be working with the transit providers who offer these services."

In this issue...

• River Cities Public Transit: Winner of CTAA's Rural Transit System of the Year
• From the President
• North & South Dakota Drivers Compete in the National CTAA Roadeo
• Standing Rock Public Transportation
• DTA Makes a Splash in Florida
• NDDOT Adds Annette Tait to Transit Section
• Documentation
• James River Transit
• Charter Bus Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee
• Prairie Hills Transit
• Medical Transportation
• "Cutting Edge Transit"
• Coordinating Technology in Scheduling and Dispatching