Governor Phil Murphy today announced his intention to nominate Carlos A. Medina, Esq, Kiabi Carson, and Evan Weiss to the NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors. The Governor will also directly appoint Rashonda Brown and Karen Thomas to serve on the board. As the Murphy Administration continues to improve and invest in NJ TRANSIT, the new members will bring fresh and diverse perspectives to the Board.

“Under our Administration, NJ TRANSIT has made great strides in improving performance, upgrading critical infrastructure, and hiring needed staff,” said Governor Murphy. “Carlos, Kiabi, Evan, Rashonda, and Karen are the right choices to join the NJ TRANSIT Board during this transformative time to ensure appropriate oversight and accountability as we continue to make key improvements. Their diverse perspectives will serve as tremendous assets to benefit NJ TRANSIT and New Jersey commuters.”

“We thank Governor Murphy for nominating an exceptional group of state leaders to serve on NJ TRANSIT’s Board of Directors,” said New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “Together, these new Board members will bring to NJ TRANSIT a diversity of viewpoints and invaluable experience that will help us accelerate our transformation, while at the same time increasing oversight and accountability.”

“NJ TRANSIT looks forward to having a full complement of Board Members and will be working closely with them to build upon the significant progress we have made over the past four years,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett.

“Having worked in the transportation industry for over 25 years, I am beyond honored to be considered for this fine board,” said Carlos A. Medina. “Transportation is essential to moving the State’s economy, and I hope that my commitment to the diverse business community adds a unique point of view and value to the organization.”

“I look forward to serving on the NJ Transit Board of Directors,” said Kiabi Carson.  “As a customer on the NJ Transit rail system since the 90s, my goal is to bring the passenger experience into the Board conversation on how we best realize the mission of providing safe, reliable and affordable public transportation.”

“As a lifelong Transit bus and rail rider, I am honored to be nominated to serve on the New Jersey Transit Board of Directors,” said Evan Weiss. “I understand the gravity of this work, especially for New Jersey’s cities, where safe and reliable transportation service is foundational for building economic opportunity for all New Jerseyans. I also look forward to continuing the work of strengthening Transit’s finances, as it embarks on a once-in-a-generation capital program and continues to respond to the economic impacts of the pandemic.”

“I would like to thank Governor Phil Murphy and Board Chairperson Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti for this opportunity,” said Rashonda Brown. “I look forward to working hard to move New Jersey Transit forward and making it better for our commuters and employees.”

“I am honored and excited to serve on the NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors,” said Karen Thomas. “I look forward to bringing new ideas and fresh perspective to the board while advocating for New Jersey’s commuters.”

Biographies:

Carlos A. Medina, Esq. is the President and CEO of the New Jersey Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where he has been a longtime advocate for expanded business opportunities and inclusion of Hispanic business owners. He is also the President and majority owner for Robinson Aerial Surveys, Inc. Medina also serves on the Boards of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ, and New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, and formerly served on the Board of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. Medina received his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University, and his J.D. from the Rutgers University School of Law – Newark.

Kiabi Carson is the Head of Human Resources for the North American region at Turner & Townsend, a is global professional services company specializing in large scale construction projects and programs across infrastructure, real estate and natural resources. She has 20 years of experience in human resource management, including prior leadership roles at Bristol Myers-Squibb and Prudential Financial. Carson received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and her master’s degree from Rutgers University.

Evan Weiss is the President and CEO of the Newark Alliance a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the ongoing economic revitalization of Newark. Prior to his current role, Evan served in the Murphy Administration as Senior Advisor for Finance and Major Projects to the Governor, where he advised Governor Murphy on New Jersey’s most pressing economic and community development problems, including managing the fiscal response to COVID-19, establishing New Jersey as the base of the US offshore wind supply chain, and financing affordable housing, transit, and water infrastructure projects. He was also the administration’s point person for key city initiatives in Newark, Trenton, and Atlantic City. Most recently, he helped craft the legislation to reform the Urban Enterprise Zone program and the $14+ billion suite of Economic Development Authority tax credit programs, as well as lead the State’s financial review of the Gateway Project, the largest infrastructure project in the United States. Prior to his work in the Administration, Weiss was Director at the Pennsylvania Economy League and HJA Strategies. Weiss received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago.

Rashonda Brown has worked as a Conductor for NJ TRANSIT where she has ensured the safe transportation of New Jersey’s commuters for over 15 years. She previously served as Chief of Staff for the United Transportation Union. Brown is also a Co-Founder and President of Brickmobb Steelers Charities.

Karen Thomas is currently a Procurement Processor at NJ TRANSIT where she has worked for over 33 years. She serves as Chair of the Somerset County Commission on Status of Women and sits on the Board of Trustees for CASA Shaw – Court Appointed Special Advocate for Somerset and Hunterdon counties – a non-profit that helps place abused and neglected children into safe and loving permanent homes. Thomas attended Rutgers University and has completed certificate programs at Union County Vocational & Technical in Electrical Technology and New Brunswick Theology Seminary in Theology Studies.