Mallory R. Avis
OBJECTIVE: Obtain a leadership position that applies my interpersonal, organizational, finance and customer service skills within an organization.
EDUCATION:
Master of Business Administration
Major: General Business
Baker College Center for Graduate Studies; Flint, Michigan
Bachelor of Business Administration
Major: Management
Major: Marketing
Baker College; Jackson, Michigan
Associate of Business Administration
Major: Management
Baker College; Jackson, Michigan
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
Fundamentals of Public Transportation; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Procurement for Small and Medium Transit Systems; National Transit Institute
BRT: Challenges and Solutions Grand Rapids American Society of Civil Engineers
TCCC Ethics Awareness for the Transportation Industry National Highway Institute
PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT:
Michigan Public Transit Association (MPTA); Lansing, Michigan
Board of Directors – Small/Medium Urban Systems (2020)
Transportation Research Board of the National Academies; Washington District of Columbia
Member; TCRP Oversight and Project Selection Committee (TOPS), 2017-2020; 2020-2023
Member; J07 Selection Panel on Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Problems, 2018-2020; 2020-2023
Panel Member; Project B-45 Transportation to Dialysis
Panel Member; Project SH-19 Supporting the Unbanked in the Transition to Cashless Fare Payment
Panel Member; Project J11-35 Diversity and Inclusion Plans, Policies and Best Practices in the Transit Industry
Panel Member; Project SG-19 Paratransit Service Delivery Models for Small Systems
Michigan Department of Transportation; Lansing, Michigan
Council Member; Impacts of New Technologies, Connected and Highly Automated Vehicles Council Member; State Long Range Plan Development
Committee Member; Michigan Pupil Transportation Advisory Committee
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Public Transit Director; City of Battle Creek Battle Creek, Michigan, April 2019 – Present
Project Manager; State of Michigan, Michigan Dept. of Transportation Lansing, Michigan, April 2013 – April 2019
Chief Bookkeeper; Jackson Public Schools Jackson, Michigan, October 2010 – April 2013
Payroll Accountant; Jackson Public Schools Jackson, Michigan, April 2010 – October 2010
Transportation Contract Coordinator; Jackson Public Schools
Jackson, Michigan, August 2006 – October 2008; August 2009 – April 2010
Bookkeeper & Accounts Payable; Jackson Public Schools Jackson, Michigan, October 2008 – August 2009
EDUCATION:
Master of Business Administration
Major: General Business
Baker College Center for Graduate Studies; Flint, Michigan
Bachelor of Business Administration
Major: Management
Major: Marketing
Baker College; Jackson, Michigan
Associate of Business Administration
Major: Management
Baker College; Jackson, Michigan
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
Fundamentals of Public Transportation; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Procurement for Small and Medium Transit Systems; National Transit Institute
BRT: Challenges and Solutions Grand Rapids American Society of Civil Engineers
TCCC Ethics Awareness for the Transportation Industry National Highway Institute
PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT:
Michigan Public Transit Association (MPTA); Lansing, Michigan
Board of Directors – Small/Medium Urban Systems (2020)
Transportation Research Board of the National Academies; Washington District of Columbia
Member; TCRP Oversight and Project Selection Committee (TOPS), 2017-2020; 2020-2023
Member; J07 Selection Panel on Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Problems, 2018-2020; 2020-2023
Panel Member; Project B-45 Transportation to Dialysis
Panel Member; Project SH-19 Supporting the Unbanked in the Transition to Cashless Fare Payment
Panel Member; Project J11-35 Diversity and Inclusion Plans, Policies and Best Practices in the Transit Industry
Panel Member; Project SG-19 Paratransit Service Delivery Models for Small Systems
Michigan Department of Transportation; Lansing, Michigan
Council Member; Impacts of New Technologies, Connected and Highly Automated Vehicles Council Member; State Long Range Plan Development
Committee Member; Michigan Pupil Transportation Advisory Committee
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Public Transit Director; City of Battle Creek Battle Creek, Michigan, April 2019 – Present
- Plan, manage, and direct short and long-term development of system operations and business activities
- Maintain and monitor $4.5M system budget, including Federal allocations and short/long range budget forecasting
- Provide oversight of multi-modal networks including intercity bus service (Greyhound) and passenger rail (Amtrak)
- Determine current and future system capital needs; creating and maintaining capital improvement plans
- Facilitate collaboration and development of community partnerships that improve public transportation
- Develop and implement new resources and revenues through introduction/promotion of new and existing services
- Establish, oversee and evaluate system performance goals and metrics for continuous improvement
- Ensure the provision of efficient and effective service to ensure the safety of Transit staff and passengers
- Conduct studies on complex problems providing solutions and suggestions for system improvement
- Ensure compliance with Federal, State and local laws, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to transit operations
- Monitor and keep abreast of current trends and innovations in the field of public transportation
- Interact with elected officials at State and Federal levels to secure continued support of legislation, funding authority, and other related issues critical to the provision of public transportation services
Project Manager; State of Michigan, Michigan Dept. of Transportation Lansing, Michigan, April 2013 – April 2019
- Provided oversight, assistance and direction to ensure transit agencies comply with state & federal regulations
- Reviewed state and federal grant applications and capital match plans for operating/capital financial assistance
- Initiated payments, contracts, project authorizations, budget adjustments and amendments for transit agencies
- Performed FTA compliance reviews and maintenance monitoring for transit agencies annually
- Researched and understood current and proposed legislature which impacts public transportation
- Determined whether a public transit agency is in compliance with state and federal regulations
- Maintained communication with MPO regarding TIP development; provided suggestions/guidance as necessary
- Presented at advisory councils, planning agencies, etc. pertaining to state and federal transportation programs
Chief Bookkeeper; Jackson Public Schools Jackson, Michigan, October 2010 – April 2013
- Processed district financial obligations with attention to time and budget constraints
- Collected & analyzed required data, materials and reports per audit requirements; followed up as appropriate
- Maintained files, records, manuals and reports per district, state and federal compliance guidelines
- Prepared, entered and maintained journal entries, petty cash vouchers and expenditure reports
- Assisted with budget preparation, development, planning, revision and tracking for board presentation
- Maintained positive relationship with contractors and contracted vendors including contract renegotiation
- Researched legislation which impacts budget operations and relates to grant and government accounting
- Assessed and interpreted proposed legislature, policy and laws to suggest and determine areas for change
Payroll Accountant; Jackson Public Schools Jackson, Michigan, April 2010 – October 2010
- Processed salaries, wages and benefits while maintaining strict confidentiality and ethics for 900 staff
- Established and maintained employee wage and benefit files according to state and federal laws
- Assisted with preparation of annual and bi-annual federal audit of sensitive materials
- Developed complex databases, spreadsheets, tables and forms for accurate calculation
- Interacted with a wide range of management levels, including senior level executives and board members
- Interpreted laws impacting payroll including wage and hour, contract negotiation and benefits
- Served as liaison between departments in resolving questions/concerns and provided required assistance
- Developed and recommended organizational policy and procedure changes to improve efficiency
Transportation Contract Coordinator; Jackson Public Schools
Jackson, Michigan, August 2006 – October 2008; August 2009 – April 2010
- Provided communication concerning contract activities, policies, regulations, and procedures to 70 staff
- Gathered data to prepare a variety of federal, state, and district reports including compliance standards
- Provided assistance to contracted programs in resolving issues, concerns and conflicts with customers
- Coordinated, negotiated and monitored tri-county Head Start contract
- Designed, conducted and analyzed bi-annual survey to determine contracted program success
- Served as primary contact between district and contracted services, employees and customers
- Performed entry and upkeep of more than 50 vehicle maintenance records for annual state inspections
- Assisted in general routing, direction, and behavioral issues with 6,000 students and 900 staff
Bookkeeper & Accounts Payable; Jackson Public Schools Jackson, Michigan, October 2008 – August 2009
- Provided oversight of contracted work completion as it was distributed to contracted vendors
- Performed technical accounting work; maintained and reviewed accurate financial records of $64M
- Evaluated department requests and needs to determine appropriate and reasonable solutions
- Maintained and developed budgets, inventory and requisitions for 13 buildings and 20 departments
- Responsible for $64M budget, petty cash, invoicing, and timely payment to vendors and distributors
- Processed 300 invoices for payment, directed to correct department/institution monthly
- Ensured compliance with state and federal regulation regarding bidding process and award system
- Interacted with a wide range of management levels, including senior level executives and board members