Jeffrey Spencer:
CLASS OF 1977
Joliet West High SchoolClass of 1977
Joliet, IL
Joliet Catholic High SchoolClass of 1977
Joliet, IL
Joliet Central High SchoolClass of 1977
Joliet, IL
St. Joseph SchoolClass of 1973
Joliet, IL
St. Mary Nativity SchoolClass of 1973
Joliet, IL
Jeffrey's Story
Life
I left school early in my senior year to join the Army. The counselors wrote me off and were no help. They told me I wouldn't graduate with my class because I didn't pass algebra. I dropped out in December 1976.
During my Army years I traveled a bit and got into photography and acting. I did parts in local theater and managed to land a few freelance photo and video jobs. I worked for CBS and also did one of the first ESPN videos.
After 8 years in the Army, I got out and started working for the State of California and going to school at night. I sold real estate part-time as well. I was married in 1984 and we had a daughter in 1987. I later got divorced in 1993. I gave up my real estate license in 1994 to pursue a career in planning. I finished my Masters degree in 2003.
I recently retired from the USDOT in Washington, DC as the chief of Intelligent Transportation Systems for the Federal Transit Administration. I am now the Executive Director of the Sacramento Transportation Authority, back in California again.
I am married to Bridget Growden of Glen Ellyn, IL (we met out here) and have three kids, Lauren - 29 (from my previous marriage), Matthew - 17, and Justin - 15. Lauren finished 6 years in the USCG and is now in college working on a horticulture degree at University of Kentucky.
I also do a little acting here and there. I've been in a number of industrials, commercials, and even a few movies. I'll put a pic of me and Patrick Swayze on if anyone asks.
School
School sucked! I wasn't popular and was teased quite a bit. I didn't have friends because I had to go home right after school every day to take care of my siblings. I did not do well in school as I had no time for homework and it reflected in my grades.
I enjoyed the company of some of my classmates. Some of the folks I remember: Jeff Weatherford, Jeff Smiley, Ed Blowers, Rich Grzetich, Faith Rudisill, Dave Butler, and a few others.
I left Illinois altogether before graduation (with the Army) and did not come back. I've lived in California, sans a short tour in Illinois at the Joliet Armory. I never really made contact with anyone as I really had no relationships built during school.
Shortly after I left school, I really blossomed. I grew 6 more inches and gained about 60 pounds. I went to my 20-year reunion and the people thought I crashed the party. No one remembered me! Since I left school early, I wasn't even pictured in the yearbook for '77.
All this didn't matter. I got my GED in the Army and went on to college and finished with my Masters graduating cum laude.
College
Started college after my time in the Army. I was 26 when I started college. I didn't have the traditional school experience as I went only at night. I spent many bleary-eyed nights studying, then getting up for work or to get my daughter off to school.
I notice that even though I paid the same tuition, there are no services available to nights students. Everything is closed. No cafeteria, no administration, no financial aid, no counselors. It made it tough. It took me 12 years of school to get through my Masters. But I made it, and graduated with a 3.7 GPA!
MS, Transportation Management, 2003
Mineta Transportation Institute
San Jose State University
BS, Business Management, 1999
BS, Business Administration, 1998
University of Phoenix
AS, Real Estate, 1989
AA, Business Admin, 1989
Sacramento City College
PUBLICATIONS
Effects of TOD on Housing, Parking, and Travel, TCRP Report 128, 2008
Community-Based Organizations and Transit: A Model Partner...Expand for more
ship, 2003
A Case Study in Political Influence on the Planning Process, 2002
The Bike/Transit Disconnect, Bicycle commuters deterred by transit policies, 2001
Workplace
I am currently the Executive Director of the Sacramento Transportation Authority. The STA is a local transportation authority pursuant to the California Public Utilities Code. The STA is the only local countywide transportation agency and, therefore, provides a number of functions related to setting priorities for the expenditure of specified state and federal transportation funds in Sacramento County.
I retired as the chief of ITS at the USDOT, Federal Transit Administration. My work included researching and applying technology to make transportation systems more efficient. I provided national policy direction to technology implementation on transit. My previous position was as the trucking and maritime specialist for the California Department of Transportation. My work focused on truck related issues, trans-oceanic shipping and ports, seaport issues, trade flows and economic trends for both the Department and external customers, and I recommend changes to planning documents for consideration of goods movement issues.
I have authored articles, issue papers and research that address transit-oriented development, and multimodal travel. I participated in the multi-national transportation standards development at the International Standards Organization.
I served as a committee and panel member for the National Academy for Sciences, President of the Mineta Transportation Institute Alumni Association, and on the Advanced Transportation Technologies and Energy Advisory Board for California Community Colleges. I had worked for the State of California for 23 years. Other departments include Fish and Game, Water Resources, and the Board of Engineers and Land Surveyors.
As a community leader, I have served as a Planning Commissioner for Yuba City, CA, President of the Dry Creek Conservancy, Planning Chair for Antelope, CA, and Vice-Chair for the Antelope Community Association.
Military
I joined the Army on my 17th birthday in 1976. I was in ROTC and it served me well as I went into the military. I started out as a truck driver, but worked up to being an instructor.
I picked up other specialties that were interesting, such as explosives and weaponry training, but it only served in my infantry status. I also was certified as an admin specialist and photographer. I barely missed going to Grenada. I had orders to the 82nd Airborne, but was re-reouted back to California as a test driver for the Humvee. Two days after arriving in California, the 82nd was deployed to Grenada.
I wrote part-time for the Ft. Ord Panorama and Hungry Lizard at Ft. Hunter Liggett, and also broadcast sports on KFO radio, part of the AFRN. I was published in the Monterey Peninsula Herald and AutoWeek while in the service. I covered the races at Laguna Seca and Sears Point.
I spent a total of 8 years in the Army, stationed at Ft. Dix, NJ for Basic/AIT, Ft. Ord, CA at HQ Combat Experimentation Command, Ft. Sheridan, IL in support of the Illinois National Guard, and Ft. Hunter Ligget, CA in the Experimentation Support Command.
Two weeks after getting married, I received orders for my promotion to E-6 in P'anmunjam, Korea. That is a solitary tour (no dependents) on the North Korean border for 14 months. As a career soldier, I had the choice of going or get out. I should've stayed as my marriage didn't last anyway. I'd have retired with a pension back in 1996 had I stayed in.
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