After graduating cum laude in Government from the University of New Hampshire and earning a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Wayne State University, Kiepper began his public service career as an intern and then a Budget and Management Officer in Richmond, VA. He went on to serve as County Manager of both Montgomery County, Maryland and Fulton County, Georgia. In 1967, Kiepper returned to Richmond and served as City Manager until 1972, when he was hired to establish the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, known today as MARTA, and had similar duties later in Dallas, Texas.
Kiepper's has provided cutting edge leadership throughout his tenure in the transit industry. His transit systems have earned such awards as the American Public Transit Association's (APTA) "Management Innovation Award", grants from the Ford Foundation's State and Local Government Awards Program, and the "Outstanding Large Transit System in North America" from APTA. He was chosen the "Outstanding Public Administrator in the World" by the International Society of Public Administrators.
Kiepper is a long-time director of APTA and chaired the Executive Committee in 1990-1991. He currently serves as Chairman of the Union Internationale des Transport Public (UITP) International Metropolitan Railways Committee and North American Committee.
Alan and his wife, Susan, will continue to live in their home overlooking the Hudson River in rural New York State. He is in great demand as a consultant and his remarkable experience and leadership in mass transit make Alan Kiepper a natural choice to guide IISTPS in creating the transportation leaders for the future.
"Conduct research and development activities to analyze ways of improving aspects of the development and operation of the Nation's surface transportation programs. "
Financial support for IISTPS research projects is currently provided by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and USDOT's Research and Special Projects Administration (RSPA). The following projects are underway, with the first two nearing completion of a draft report for peer review:
The web site is updated weekly by the project team to ensure that Transweb (http://transweb.sjsu.edu)is the premier transportation web site available. If you have any comments or question about Transweb, please contact Dr. Stephen Kwan at webmaster@iistps.sjsu.edu.
Most recently, the IISTPS web site has been employed to aid in the pre-registration for the March 15 IISTPS Symposium.
The 30 unit program provides an international focus through course work as well as an optional summer international study tour. Responding to an area described as one of the greatest training needs in all professional disciplines, the program stresses oral and written communication throughout the curriculum
The program will draw on the latest cutting edge concepts in policy and management that impact surface transportation by maintaining a working relationship with international transportation professionals and organizations. Through the use of innovative delivery techniques, the program is designed to be completed in two years by a student who is fully employed. The program will be delivered in an accelerated format using a variety of methodologies suited to enhanced student access such as: supervised study at related field sites, lectures on tape that can be used by students when traveling, and video teleconferencing.
The program will analyze and investigate the development and application of policy at management levels in transportation organizations. IISTPS research in new and emerging policy and management areas provides course materials of intrinsic value to the education program.
Another effort of the IISTPS Education Program is the development and sponsorship of a continuing series of professional/educational symposia aligned and interfaced with the MS Program. Attended by over 100 civic leaders, students, and transportation professionals, the first IISTPS symposium, "Planning for Surface Transportation and Land Use, " was held on June 6, 1995.
Reserve March 15, 1996 on your calendar and plan to be at San Jose State University's Umunhum Room in the Student Union from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Advance registration is recommended by calling Claudia Hull (408) 924-7560). Your $20 advance registration includes a parking pass and a box lunch ($25 at the door also includes box lunch, if available).
The new name, Norman Y. Mineta International Institute for Surface Transportation Policy Studies, was adopted by the Board of Trustees and the President of San Jose State University. The announcement was made by IISTPS Honorary Co-Chair Congressman James Oberstar (D-Minn) at a press conference held at San Jose State University.
Mineta retired last October after 21 years in the House of Representatives. Currently, he is Senior Vice President, Transportation Systems and Services, with Lockheed Martin located in Washington, D.C.