Kenna S Bookman-Lavalais
Cheneyville,LA
Summary
Transit management professional with 15+ years of progressive experience in public transportation, municipal operations, and federally funded programs.
Insightful Manager with experience directing and improving operations through effective employee motivational strategies and strong policy enforcement. Proficient in best practices, market trends and regulatory requirements of industry operations. Talented leader with analytical approach to business planning and day-to-day problem-solving.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Transit Manager
City of Alexandria
10.2023 - Current
- Manage and direct the daily operations of the City of Alexandria’s public transit system, providing executive oversight of operations, personnel, procurement, budgeting, fleet management, and federally funded programs in compliance with City, State, and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements.
- Supervise, direct, and evaluate supervisory, administrative, operations, and maintenance staff, ensuring adequate coverage, performance accountability, and adherence to policies and procedures.
- Develop and oversee employee work schedules; review and approve timesheets; address employee concerns; administer corrective action and performance evaluations as required.
- Manage daily transit operations, including fixed-route service, demand response, maintenance shop operations, and night service.
- Administer the Transit Department budget, controlling daily expenditures to ensure compliance with approved operating and capital budgets.
- Lead and coordinate procurement activities for transit vehicles, equipment, parts, supplies, maintenance services, and professional services in accordance with City purchasing policies and FTA procurement requirements.
- Prepare, review, and approve requisitions, vendor documentation, invoices, and supporting records for grant-funded and operating expenditures.
- Seek, manage, and administer Federal and State transit grants supporting operating and capital needs; prepare and submit required weekly, quarterly, and annual grant reports.
- Oversee payroll processing, including daily and bi-weekly payroll review, reconciliation, and reporting.
- Maintain oversight of fleet assets and transit equipment, including buses, support vehicles, maintenance equipment, security systems, radios, computer systems, ADA and accessibility equipment, and on-board technology.
- Review vehicle maintenance reports, daily fare deposits, balance sheets, and operational documentation to ensure fiscal accuracy and accountability.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for customer service issues, responding to public complaints and service concerns to maintain safety, efficiency, and reliability.
- Act as liaison between transit staff, City administration, Finance, Purchasing, and external agencies to ensure coordinated operations and regulatory compliance.
- Prepare operator run sheets, payroll reports, operational summaries, and FTA-compliant documentation supporting audits, reviews, and reimbursement.
- Utilize computerized systems and software applications to track operational data, budgets, procurement records, and performance metrics.
- Ensure compliance with FTA, ADA, safety, security, and local regulatory requirements.
Assistant Transit Manager
City of Alexandria
07.2020 - 05.2022
- Provided senior-level operational and administrative support to the Transit Manager for a municipal public transportation system, with significant responsibility for procurement coordination, contract support, and compliance oversight.
- Operations & Management
- Assisted with day-to-day management of fixed-route and demand-response transit operations, ensuring service reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance.
- Coordinated driver scheduling, dispatching, and workforce utilization to maximize efficiency and service coverage.
- Monitored operator performance, conducted investigations, and supported corrective actions and coaching.
- Investigated and resolved customer complaints, incidents, and service concerns in accordance with agency SOPs.
- Procurement, Contracts & Fiscal Oversight
- Supported procurement activities for transit vehicles, equipment, parts, supplies, and contracted services, including maintenance, professional services, and operational support.
- Coordinated with City Finance, Purchasing, and external vendors to ensure FTA-compliant purchasing practices, documentation, and approvals.
- Assisted with vendor coordination, invoice review, and service verification to support grant reimbursement and fiscal accountability.
- Participated in vehicle and equipment selection processes, including capital asset planning and lifecycle considerations.
- Maintained accurate records supporting grant-funded expenditures, fleet assets, and operational costs.
- Fleet & Asset Management
- Oversaw maintenance coordination and repair activities for buses, vans, automobiles, and support vehicles.
- Tracked vehicle readiness, inspections, insurance, registration, and maintenance compliance.
- Reviewed and recommended adjustments to route schedules and fleet deployment to improve safety and efficiency.
- Compliance, Policy & Reporting
- Assisted in the development, review, and implementation of policies and procedures related to safety, security, emergency preparedness, and operations.
- Prepared operational, performance, and administrative reports for management and external stakeholders.
- Coordinated with internal City departments and external agencies to integrate transit operations with broader municipal functions.
- Maintained documentation required for state and federal compliance.
Demolition Program Manager
City of Alexandria
02.2017 - 07.2020
- Managed a federally funded demolition program with significant procurement, contractor oversight, and regulatory compliance responsibilities.
- Administered program activities from complaint intake through demolition or rehabilitation completion.
- Coordinated contractors, inspectors, consultants, and City departments to ensure timely and compliant project delivery.
- Determined annual program scope based on available funding allocations.
- Conducted ownership research, site inspections, and environmental reviews in compliance with HUD CDBG requirements.
- Ordered and scheduled asbestos testing, managed contractor scopes, and monitored work progress.
- Prepared and filed required notices and documentation in accordance with state and local regulations.
- Attended City Council hearings and represented program activities to elected officials and the public.
- Contributed to program design, improvements, and funding utilization strategies.
Permit Technician I
City of Alexandria
11.2014 - 02.2017
- Reviewed and processed permit applications for accuracy, completeness, and code compliance.
- Provided public guidance on permitting requirements and procedures.
- Issued demolition permits and maintained official permit records.
- Prepared monthly construction activity reports.
- Assisted with budget balance inquiries and payroll tracking using Banner.
- Coordinated travel arrangements and administrative support for supervisory staff.
Transit Operator
City of Alexandria
04.2013 - 11.2014
- Operated fixed-route transit buses in accordance with safety regulations and schedules.
- Conducted pre-trip inspections and reported mechanical issues.
- Communicated with dispatch regarding service conditions and emergencies.
- Assisted passengers and maintained fare accountability.
Education
Diploma - Magnet Program
Peabody Magnet High School
Alexandria, LABusiness Management
Louisiana State University
Alexandria, LA01.2020
Skills
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- Banner Payroll & Financial System
- Municipal Permitting & Payroll Systems
- Recordkeeping, Reporting & Data Analysis
- Internet & Regulatory Research
- Multi-line Telephone & Office Systems
- Staff training and development
- Risk management
- Resource allocation
- Regulatory compliance
- Financial management
- Policy implementation
- FTA Transit Award Management System (TRAMS)
Certification
- CDL Class A with Passenger Endorsement (Accident-Free Record)
- Transit Bus, Trolley, and Commercial Vehicle Operation
- LADEQ Lead Inspector (2017)
- HUD CDBG Program Management – Advanced
Timeline
Transit Manager
City of Alexandria
10.2023 - Current
Assistant Transit Manager
City of Alexandria
07.2020 - 05.2022
Demolition Program Manager
City of Alexandria
02.2017 - 07.2020
Permit Technician I
City of Alexandria
11.2014 - 02.2017
Transit Operator
City of Alexandria
04.2013 - 11.2014
Business Management
Louisiana State University
Diploma - Magnet Program
Peabody Magnet High School