Mobile GR Director Josh Naramore is heading to NACTO

Received from the City Communications Department.

Communication

Community partners,

Mr. Josh Naramore will be leaving his position as Mobile GR director on December 15 to take a position as senior program manager with the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO).  NACTO is an association of 100 major North American cities and transit agencies formed to exchange transportation ideas, insights, and practices and cooperatively approach national transportation issues.

Josh came to Grand Rapids from Cleveland, Ohio in February 2016 and led the department through the Equitable Economic Development and Mobility Strategic Plan, modernization of on and off-street parking, rebranding and improvements to the City’s DASH service, and mobility projects like micromobility, AVGR, biking and pedestrian safety improvements.  In addition, Josh led a team that rose to the challenge of dealing with the very significant impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on mobility, parking utilization, and access to needed mobility, which adaptation continues today.

City Manager Mark Washington noted “Josh has helped modernize our mobility and transportation services and has ensured Grand Rapids has safe, reliable, affordable, and diverse transportation options to support the City's economic and quality of life goals.” 

Assistant Mobile GR Director Jennifer Kasper will act as interim Mobile GR Director, effective December 8.  Jennifer has been with the City and the department since October 2016 and served in a variety of administrative, financial and operational roles. Currently she oversees service delivery and operations that includes on- and off-street parking, parking enforcement, signals and signs. She also has been heavily involved in the department’s financial and budget development during her tenure.  Kasper will be supported by the other assistant Mobile GR director, Ariana Jeske, during this transition. The City will embark on a national search for a permanent replacement.

“We are fortunate to have a deep bench in Mobile GR.  I am confident in Jennifer’s leadership as interim Mobile GR director. Together with the department’s management team and staff, she will continue to advance major initiatives to meet the needs of the community,” Washington said.

Over the coming months, the department will play a key role in the Community Master Plan, regional transit planning, and will continue efforts with the Mobile GR Commission and stakeholders to develop a sustainable approach to parking rates and parking asset management.