Frank Kobliski

Spanning a career of nearly four decades in the transportation industry, Frank Kobliski was executive director of the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority until he retired in 2015. He directed public transit services in Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga and Oneida counties as well as the operation of the William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center in Syracuse. During his tenure, Centro was named the American Public Transportation Association’s Best Midsized Transit System in 2006 and received four consecutive perfect Triennial Reviews as well as a United We Ride Award for outstanding paratransit service.

As a two-time president of the New York Public Transit Association and the longest standing past president in NYPTA history, Frank led many statewide initiatives in support of public transportation and served as NYPTA’s Legislative Chairman.

Gordon Nevison

Gordon Nevison has worked in the transit industry for more than 43 years. He established one of the first transit management companies in Canada and is a founding member of the Canadian Transit Heritage Foundation. Gordon impacted transit through his work with several OEM manufacturers in North America and has been a mentor to many successful transit executives by sharing his knowledge, expertise, integrity and work ethic.

As a pioneer in transit, he has quietly shaped the industry as we know it today. Gordon joined NYPTA as one of its first corporate members in 1981 under Bus Industries of America (Orion). Over the years, he was a member of several committees and served as a Board member and co-chair of the Corporate Committee for more than a decade. He was instrumental in developing the format for the industry Fall Conference and Expo and supporting the event.

Hilary Ring

Hilary Ring retired after more than four decades working for New York and its agencies, most recently in streamlining MTA back office operations by assisting in the creation of and then managing the MTA Business Service Center as its Deputy Senior Director. Hilary was a key player in the adoption of every MTA capital program between the first one, in 1982, through 2010. He specialized in NYS transit funding formulae and reinvigorated MTA state government relations efforts.

He was a strong advocate for New York’s transit manufacturing industry and, as a longtime NYPTA Board member, organized its Transit Awareness Day with significant MTA participation. Hilary was also the man behind NYPTA’s Public Transit Leadership Institute program. Recognizing the need to cultivate young professionals, Hilary joined forces with Tom George and Scott Sopczyk and staff to build a program specifically for future transit leaders.

Cynthia Ruiz

With 30 years of service in public transit, Cynthia Ruiz served both Ulster and Dutchess Counties prior to her retirement in 2017. As a Certified Community Transit Manager, she managed $7.4 million in grants, project management, and construction and successfully transitioned a transit agency from a rural to a small urbanized system.

Cynthia was a longtime, active NYPTA Board member. She was a tireless advocate for the needs of smaller systems and the people they employed and served. She forged partnerships with state agencies, especially NYSDOT, and elevated discussions about partnership and collaboration. A constant and passionate voice on the board, Cynthia ensured all subjects were discussed and debated and believed in the importance of transit services and worked to make them better through the efforts of NYPTA.