Taiwo Jaiyeoba
Charlotte,NC
Summary
Dynamic leader with over 30 years of experience in transit and land use planning, business operations, and project management across public and private sectors. Currently serves as National Director of Transit Planning at Lochner within the Egis Group, a global firm with a workforce of 23,000 employees. Expertise in government relations, civic engagement, and design engineering is demonstrated by significant achievements such as directing planning for the City of Charlotte and establishing Greensboro's inaugural Department of Public Transit, including the launch of a fare-free transit service. Recognized for consistently delivering projects on time and under budget while managing large-scale initiatives, including light rail and BRT projects, as well as comprehensive planning studies across multiple states.
Knowledgeable Transit Executive with proven history of leading national initiatives and driving organizational growth. Successfully implemented strategic programs that enhanced operational efficiency and fostered cross-functional collaboration. Demonstrated expertise in leadership and strategic planning, ensuring alignment with corporate goals.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
National Director of Transit Planning
Lochner
06.2024 - Current
- Many American cities are looking at cost effective ways to quickly upgrade and expand their public transit offering and make critical infrastructure improvements in the process.
- Taiwo's unique blend of hands-on City Manager experience and successful BRT/LRT/Streetcar delivery experiences help urban leaders plan, fund, and execute public transport solutions that connect people and places and enhance quality of life.
- Taiwo's role as a transit executive with Lochner is primarily leading business development effort in 50 States; develop strategic plans to connect people to places, promoting accessibility and reducing congestion and achieve a significant increase in client base and revenue growth through successful project implementations.
- An Egis firm
Principal, City Development Advisors
Self-employeed
Charlotte, NC
05.2024 - Current
- Retained by the Town of Zebulon as Interim Town Manager, during a time of leadership transition and need for stability.
- Reported directly to the Mayor and five Commissioners, I led 10 department directors and public safety chiefs, ensuring effective governance and service delivery of all municipal services.
- I led the executive team to implement strategic initiatives that improved operational efficiency and effective community engagement.
- Assisted Non-Profit organizations to develop community-based initiatives.
City Manager/Chief Executive Officer
02.2022 - 03.2024
- As Greensboro's Chief Executive Officer, I directed a team of 3,300 employees to provide essential municipal services to 300,000 residents supported by an $800M annual budget.
- I established the City's first Department of Public Transit and launched a fare-free trolley, enhancing public transportation access; launched the City's first Intergovernmental Relations Office, securing millions for infrastructure and public safety improvements; and implemented innovative homelessness solutions through pallet shelters, facilitating transitions to permanent housing.
Assistant City Manager/Director of Planning
01.2018 - 01.2022
- In a dual-leadership role with the City of Charlotte, I supported the City Manager and Council in championing mobility, accessibility, and connectivity initiatives.
- In 2019, the Mayor of Charlotte had a vision to develop a comprehensive mobility network for the City and region. I was tasked with leading the 25-member 'Charlotte Moves' Task Force chaired by former Mayor Harvey Gantt.
- I led the City's strategic mobility plan that laid the foundation for a future transformational network of bike, pedestrian, roadway, trails and transit infrastructure. That set the foundation for the successful metropolitan transportation referendum in 2025.
- As Planning Director, I led a team responsible for urban design, historic preservation, long-range planning, zoning, land development, and transportation planning.
- For the first time in 40 years, I led our team in developing the national award-winning Charlotte Future 2040 comprehensive plan for the City of Charlotte.
Transit Executive
04.2011 - 01.2018
- I worked as Transit Principal for HDR; Assistant Vice President with AECOM and Associate Vice President for HNTB.
- As a Transit Executive, I was a Business Development leader and Senior Project Manager on key transit projects across the United States and the abroad.
- Collaborated with clients and colleagues to plan and execute projects like the Atlanta Beltline Streetcar System Plan and City of Memphis Bus Rapid Transit Project; and consulted with public agencies on significant public transit/land planning projects, and several Transit Strategic/Master Plans.
Education
Certificate - Global Leadership
MIT
Cambridge, MA05.2020
Master of Science - Urban and Regional Planning
Ife
Ife, Nigeria12.1992
Bachelor of Science - Geography
Ife
Ife, Nigeria12.1988
Skills
- Organizational stabilization
- Workforce training and mentoring
- Cultural competency
- Community involvement strategies
- Candidate selection skills
- Strategic planning
- Internal communications
- Contract negotiation
- Organizational leadership
- Report writing and presentation
- Program Management
- Community engagement
Accomplishments
- ENO Graduate Program, 2010-01-01
- Leadership APTA, 2014-01-01
- Charlottean of The Year, 2020-01-01
- Route 50 Navigation Award, 2020-01-01
- Award-winning Charlotte's 2040 comprehensive plan, 2021-01-01
- First Charlotte Urban Design Urbies Award, 2021-01-01
- First fare-free trolley line in Greensboro, 2022-01-01
Affiliations
- American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Business Members Board of Governors
- American Public Transportation Association, Planning Committee
- American Public Transportation Association, BRT Committee
- American Public Transportation Association, Capital Program Committee
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, Transportation Research Board
- American Planning Association
Certification
American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
Timeline
National Director of Transit Planning
Lochner
06.2024 - Current
Principal, City Development Advisors
Self-employeed
05.2024 - Current
City Manager/Chief Executive Officer
02.2022 - 03.2024
Assistant City Manager/Director of Planning
01.2018 - 01.2022
Transit Executive
04.2011 - 01.2018
Master of Science - Urban and Regional Planning
Ife
Bachelor of Science - Geography
Ife
Certificate - Global Leadership
MIT