Office of Public Transit

Contact information/Office staff

The Office of Public Transit staff is responsible for administering all of the state transit programs, plus all federal transit assistance for regional and small urban transit systems, and intercity bus carriers, and most of the federal nonformula projects for transit systems serving Iowa’s urbanized areas.

Select a name below to view biography and contact information.





Michelle McEnany, director
Michelle has served as the director of the Iowa DOT's Office of Public Transit since July 2002. Michelle directs Office of Public Transit programs, initiatives and staff to meet the overall mission of the office. In her role, she also acts as the primary liaison to various governmental agencies and public transit associations as well as local, state and federal decision-makers. Prior to joining the Iowa DOT, Michelle was the director of state and local relations for the Greater Des Moines Partnership (formerly known as the Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce). Michelle is a graduate of Boston College with degrees in economics and political science.

michelle.mcenany@dot.iowa.gov
515-239-1659




Pamella Lee, transit programs manager
Pam serves as the planning and programming manager for the Office of Public Transit. She oversees the transit programs and is primarily responsible for development of the State Transportation Improvement Program's transit element, administration of the federal grants application process and administration of the Public Transit Equipment and Facilities Management System. Pam has been employed with the Iowa DOT since November 1980. She is a graduate of Iowa State University with a bachelor of science degree in business administration, major in management.

pamella.lee@dot.iowa.gov
515-239-1872




Kristin Haar, AICP, compliance and training officer
Kristin serves as the compliance and training officer, joining the Iowa DOT in February 2010. Her duties include compliance reviews of Iowa's public transit systems, providing identified training needs to transit systems and staff, reviewing Passenger Transportation Plans, and serving as chair of the Iowa Transportation Coordination Council. Prior to joining the Iowa DOT, Kristin was the executive director of the Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency and also worked as a transportation planner at the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. Kristin holds a bachelor's degree in community and regional planning from Iowa State University and a master's of public administration from Drake University.

kristin.haar@dot.iowa.gov
515-233-7875




Sree Mitra, grants manager
Sree joined the Iowa DOT's Office of Public Transit in December 2010. Her duties include management of the department's grants from the Federal Transit Administration and monitoring and implementation of state grants. She also serves as the office specialist on Federal Transit Administration's Drug and Alcohol Testing and Civil Rights. Prior to joining the Iowa DOT, Sree was employed at the Iowa Department of Human Services as a management analyst from 2004-2010, and also at Iowa State University as project director (1993-2000) and grant development manager (2000-2004). Sree holds a doctorate in physics from Rutgers University.

sreeparna.mitra@dot.iowa.gov
515-239-1806




Ryan Ward, transit programs administrator (TPA)
Ryan joined the Iowa DOT's Office of Public Transit in July 2010. He serves as the transit programs administrator for 17 of Iowa's 35 public transit agencies and is the Intercity Bus program manager. Ryan is also the Iowa DOT representative on the Iowa Comprehensive Heart Disease and Stroke Plan Task Force, and the Office of Public Transit procurement specialist. He began his transportation career in 1995 working for Cambus, The University of Iowa's transit system. He continued his education at Ruan Transportation in Des Moines, Iowa, as a member of the Ruan University Management Trainee Program. Ryan's career path took him into over-the-road trucking working as a fleet manager, account manager, and sales and project manager before coming to the Iowa DOT. He is a graduate from The University of Iowa with a bachelor's degree in american history, along with course work in political science.

ryan.ward@dot.iowa.gov
515-233-7877




Mike Tiedens, transit programs administrator (TPA)
Mike joined the Office of Public Transit in January 2011. As a transit programs administrator, his primary responsibilities include administration and oversight of state and federal regulations and policies for 18 of Iowa's 35 regional and urban transit systems. Prior to working at the Iowa DOT, Mike was employed at Ruan Transportation from 2000 to 2011. His roles included systems training, logistics specialist, and senior logistics analyst. Mike is a 1998 graduate of Iowa State University with a bachelor's degree in transportation and logistics, and marketing.

michael.tiedens@dot.iowa.gov
515-239-1765




Brent Paulsen, technology and research manager
Brent joined the Iowa DOT's Office of Public Transit in December 2010, and serves as the research and technology manager in the office. His responsibilities include reviewing and monitoring legislative issues, conducting research on transit specific topics, and evaluating the most current technologies available for use in public transit. Prior to working in the Office of Public Transit, he was a duty officer in the Iowa DOT's statewide emergency operations center. Brent holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Northwestern College.

brent.paulsen@dot.iowa.gov
515-239-1132




Laurie Carnahan, administrative support
Laurie is responsible for the administration of the fellowship program, contract assistance and tracking and general office support. She was previously employed with the Iowa Department of Public Safety serving state law enforcement in a support capacity. Laurie has an associate's degree in business administration, a bachelor's degree in organizational psychology and a master's degree in business administration from the American InterContinental University.

laurie.carnahan@dot.iowa.gov
515-233-7870




Angie O'Brien, state-wide mobility manager
Angie O'Brien is the Office of Public Transit's statewide mobility manager. O'Brien assumed her duties May 9, 2011. Her previous work experience includes: pharmaceutical representative; long-term care ombudsman for the Iowa Department of Elder Affairs; assisted living community director; and hospice volunteer coordinator. Angie has the Iowa Transportation Coordination Council (ITCC) Action Plan goal of eight mobility managers in Iowa by July 2013 in mind as she works with the planning and transit agencies to create more mobility manager positions. She will also serve as the Iowa mobility manager's network liaison to the ITCC. O'Brien will also be attending the University of Iowa starting in fall 2011 to obtain her master's degree in social work.

iarcmobilitymanager@live.com
515-451-3383