CHATTANOOGA, TN – The Advanced Transportation Technology Institute (ATTI) announces the appointment of a new management team to lead the organization in new directions. The ATTI board of directors has engaged James Frierson, currently the vice chairman and director of strategic projects of ATTI, as Executive Director and Mark Hairr, currently the general manager of the Knoxville Area Transit Authority, as Program Director. Their new roles take effect October 1, 2006.
In the new arrangement, Frierson will focus on program oversight and outreach while Mr. Hairr will concentrate on program management and administration. "I have been working with ATTI as a director and supporter for many years, including its earlier days as the Electric Transit Vehicle Institute," stated Frierson. "I am honored to have the opportunity to expand these activities with the Institute."
Beginning in August 2005, ATTI relocated to the College of Engineering and Computer Science at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and established the Advanced Technology for Transportation Research Program in collaboration with the University. In June 2006, ATTI and UTC announced their joint use of the dedicated Electric Vehicle Test Facility at Chickamauga Dam under a long-term grant from TVA.
John Powell, ATTI’s current executive director, will move to the private sector as Chief Operating Officer of EVamerica, a newly formed designer and manufacturer of electric transit vehicles in Chattanooga.
"This announcement signals more than just a change of personnel," stated Powell, who has led ATTI for the past twelve years. "ATTI is changing from simply promoting the use of advanced transportation technologies to applying the research and hands-on talents of engineering students and faculty. The affiliation with UTC is helping develop the knowledge and skills needed to meet national technology challenges and to support the clean transportation efforts of CARTA, the City of Chattanooga, and major private employers."
"Jim Frierson is known in the Chattanooga community as an individual who recognizes innovation and brings a ‘can-do’ attitude to economic development projects. Nationally, he has significant public policy experience as chief of staff of the United States Trade Representative in the Reagan Administration. Similarly, Mark Hairr is well known in the Knoxville community and in the public transit field for his strong management skills and pioneering deployment of advanced technologies at KAT."
"We are fortunate to obtain the talents of Mark Hairr," Frierson stated. "As General Manager of KAT, Mark received the America Public Transportation Association’s 2004 Outstanding Achievement Award for Public Transportation; increased system ridership 64% over five years; and implemented a new comprehensive transit system on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He oversees one of the largest sports shuttle operations in the nation as KAT carries more than 10,000 fans to each UT Vols football game at Neyland Stadium. His real-world experience reflects the mission of our Institute."
Mr. Hairr also introduced Knoxville’s first alternative fuel vehicles as part of a comprehensive clean fuels program. "I have always had an interest in advanced transportation technologies," Hairr commented. "I am encouraged to be relocating to a city that has the commitment to support these interests and to an organization where I can be of value."
"Harnessing the abilities of Jim Frierson and Mark Hairr is a decisive step in the evolution of ATTI," Powell stated. "Added to the existing team at ATTI and UTC, they are just the right individuals to move the Institute forward…and at the right time."
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As a private, nonprofit organization, the Advanced Transportation Technology Institute promotes the advancement of electric, hybrid-electric and other clean transportation technologies that encourage a healthy environment and energy independence. The Institute helps educate the public about alternative fuels, assists transit systems to implement clean fleets and coordinates clean vehicle demonstration projects throughout North America. See more information at www.atti-info.org.
The Advanced Technologies for Transportation Research Program is a joint program of applied research by The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the Advanced Transportation Technology Institute to develop and deploy transportation technologies that utilize clean and secure sources of energy.
