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These are incredibly challenging times for transportation. Florida is facing a huge transportation funding crisis and our economic future is in serious jeopardy. An additional $23 billion is needed over the next ten years just to "maintain" current transportation conditions. That's why we're working so hard to be Your "Voice" for Transportation. But we need YOU!  We've designed this Web site to be informative and user-friendly so YOU can join us in this important work. Together we can Keep Florida Moving!

FBT Names Ubben President

Kevin Thibault succeeds Chris Warren as Chairman for 2012

Floridians for Better Transportation (FBT) has named Matthew D. Ubben, a public affairs professional with more than 25 years experience working for associations, corporations and state government, as its new president. In addition, Parsons executive and former Florida Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Kevin J. Thibault will serve as FBT’s Chairman in 2012, succeeding Chris Warren, a vice president at URS.

“We are excited that Matt has joined the FBT team. He is a well-respected professional whose proven leadership skills and experience in Florida will help us strengthen our voice for transportation,” said Chris Warren, FBT’s 2011 Chairman. “He will work closely with our transportation partners to promote dedicated transportation funding, support our strategic objectives, and expand our membership base.”

“Florida continues to face a transportation funding crisis which jeopardizes our economic future and prosperity. Experts estimate that an additional $23 billion is needed over the next decade just to maintain current transportation conditions, said Ubben. “FBT is an important advocacy organization helping to shape and promote the transportation agenda in Florida. I appreciate the opportunity to lead FBT and look forward to working with Kevin as we promote a safe and efficient transportation system for all Floridians.”

Ubben is the founder of Confianza Consulting, Inc., a government and public affairs consulting firm. His transportation-related advocacy in Florida includes serving as Executive Director of the Florida Chapter of Consumer Energy Alliance; serving as Vice President at the Florida Trucking Association; and, serving as Public Affairs Director of the Florida Transportation Commission. Prior to his arrival in Tallahassee in 1997, Ubben spent more than a decade in public affairs positions in Washington, DC., which included lobbying for the Helicopter Association International and the National Association of State Aviation Officials.

Warren is Vice President, Surface Transportation Business Line Lead, Design Build Coordinator, Americas East Group’s at URS. During his 20-year career with the Florida Department of Transportation, Mr. Warren worked in all phases of project development from the technician level to senior management. He recently served as the Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise where he was responsible for the daily operations of Florida’s statewide Turnpike System, including the delivery of the statewide five-year Work Program.

Thibault is Vice President and Market Development Manager for state transportation programs at Parsons where he is responsible for developing relationships in strategic markets as well as other multimodal transportation initiatives. Thibault has more than 25 years of professional engineering experience in the public and private sectors. Prior to joining Parsons, he was the executive director for the Florida Rail Enterprise, a unit within the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) responsible for implementing the state’s high-speed rail program. He also served as the assistant secretary for engineering and operations for the FDOT where he served as the agency’s chief operating officer for more than 7,100 employees with an annual budget in excess of $6 billion. He also served as the interim executive director and production director of Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, the state’s largest toll entity.

Ubben succeeds Doug Callaway, who led FBT for nine years until he left in October of 2011 to be executive director of the Georgia Transportation Alliance.

Get the FBT Press Release HERE.

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