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Former WSTC Board Members:
Alon Bassok
I have been a North Delridge resident since 2006 when my family was attracted to Longfellow Creek and the easy access to downtown. My interests around West Seattle transportation issues focus on convenient ways to get around in the peninsula, as well as safe and efficient access and egress to and from the peninsula. Within West Seattle, we are constrained by distance and hills. Leaving our community can be taxing; bicycling can be frightening, taking the bus can be slow, and driving can be frustrating. We have many challenges to work on.
I currently teach courses on land use and transportation through the Master of Sustainable Transportation program at the University of Washington. I am interested in a number of diverse transportation topics and helped organize the Bicycle Urbanism Symposium (2013) and Innovation in Urban Freight Workshop (2012) held here in Seattle. I also spent several years on the city’s Freight Advisory Board. Prior to returning to teach at the University of Washington, I worked as a transportation planner at the Puget Sound Regional Council.
When away from transportation discussions, I spend most of my time chauffeuring my daughters around West Seattle between their activities, or sneaking down to Lakewood Park for a round of disc golf. Occasionally I may be found playing bass with the Pretty Good Jazz Trio.
- Board Service: May 2014 to September 2014, 4 months.
Tod Rodman
Tod Rodman, BA, MBA has lived in West Seattle since 2000. Prior to that he lived for a year in Kirkland, having moved out West from Charlottesville, Virginia in 1999. Tod was born in New York City and until leaving to attend the University of Virginia lived in the Northeast. Upon receiving his BA degree from UVa, Tod lived in London and New York. Tod received his Masters Degree from the UVA, spent a year in Memphis, and returned to live in Charlottesville where he raised his two children. His children and three grandchildren live in West Seattle.
Tod studied Urban Planning and Architecture, ultimately receiving his Masters in Finance and Operations, interning at UPS in their Advance Logistical Solutions Group . His early work was as an Ordinary Seaman, a Taxi Driver, a Broker in Maritime Vessel Sales and Chartering, and as Firefighter. His has spent over 30 years in the Information Technology industry performing Systems Analysis and Program Management.
Tod’s passion for improving the Seattle Transportation system, and especially the West Seattle Transportation system has brought him into a working relationship with many dedicated volunteer and professional folks who have a broad range of interests and expertise in transportation issues. Tod would very much like to continue to serve the West Seattle Community, especially in working toward implementing a balanced and top quality transportation system for West Seattle that provides the best transportation for all of the people who live and work in West Seattle.
- West Seattle Transportation Coalition Interim Board Member
- Morgan Community Association
- Southwest District Council – Delegate Alternate to the City Neighborhood Council
- City Neighborhood Council – Transportation Committee Co-Chair
- City Department of Neighborhoods – Peoples Academy for Community Engagement (PACE)
- West Seattle Green Space Coalition – Co-Chair
- Board Service: September 2013 to Septmber 2013, 1 year.
Victoria Nelson
Victoria is a third generation West Seattleite; having grown up just a mile from where she now lives with her husband and two dogs. A passionate environmentalist, she spends much of her volunteer time working on projects that will help keep neighborhoods and beaches healthy. Along with her husband, Victoria worked with other residents to bring a farmers market to West Seattle.
Having retired from the insurance industry in 2012, she is expanding her volunteer work to include a broader range of issues by working with the City Neighborhood Council – Neighborhood Planning Committee, and the West Seattle Transportation Coalition. It is her hope that when a community takes a holistic approach to high density development along with the corresponding traffic issues, a good balance can be achieved so that one does not outweigh the other. Currently, West Seattle has three major challenges to address. First, over one million vehicles move through our neighborhoods. Second, we live in a peninsula that can easily become an island due to weather and traffic incidents. Finally, West Seattle does not have its own hospital which means we must leave our peninsula to get treatment for serious health issues. Her hope is that by working together with the city, the WSTC can help provide solutions to these challenges.
Mark Jacobs
I have been a resident of West Seattle since 1989, the Highland Park area for 20 years and currently reside in the Admiral District. I am married with one adult child attending the UW. As a long time West Seattle resident I am very familiar with the streets, trails/sidewalks, water taxi and transit in the area. I personally use all modes of transportation. I am an avid walker and bike rider and have a keen interest in trails and for opportunities to expand the system. Creating urban trails and pathways connecting parks, business and other points of interest can be cost effective and encourage more walking and bike riding! I am a professional traffic engineer with 5 years’ experience working in the public sector and 25 years of private traffic engineering consulting.
Martin Westerman
Martin Westerman has served as a WSTC board member since the organization was formed in 2013. He serves on the board of the Fauntleroy Community Association, and volunteers with the West Seattle Green Space Coalition.
He is a life-long bicyclist, and an author, editor, lecturer and consultant on sustainable business, and business communications. He lives with his wife and sons near The Original Bakery.
Larry Wymer
My wife and I moved to West Seattle from California in 2012. West Seattle is the first community I loved so much I committed to being an active community member, leader, and volunteer. We live in the heart of Admiral, where I currently serve as President of the Admiral Neighborhood Association.
I grew up in Michigan where my favorite toys were road maps, and I’d dream about where I wanted to travel, live, and work. I have since road tripped all over the country visiting all 50 states and over 1,400 counties – and I have lived in, worked in, and experienced transportation challenges in 7 different metropolitan regions within 5 states (Michigan, Texas, California, Florida, Washington). It’s a bonus that I’ve also helped establish what are now on those road maps.
I bring over 30 years of experience and expertise to the WSTC board. I’m a licensed Civil Engineer (FL)/Traffic Engineer (CA) specializing in traffic engineering consulting and expert witness work. A University of Texas at Arlington graduate in Civil Engineering, I began my traffic engineering/consulting career in 1989 in California as part of the team that built the first light rail line in the Los Angeles area – the 22-mile Los Angeles-Long Beach Metro Blue Line. In fact, myself and a conductor were the first two people to ever ride a train on LA’s light rail system during the line’s first test run (which I oversaw). I have been active with the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) serving as President of their Northern California Chapter, and running for district and international offices.
I am currently building a Transformational Life Coaching practice, and I have been the Throws Coach (shotput, discus, javelin) for the West Seattle High School boys/girls track & field team since 2015. I also compete in these same events as a Masters Track and Field athlete.
Founding WSTC Board members
September 2013 – May 2014, inaugural interim board members:
- Deb Barker, co-founder
- Kevin Broveleit, co-founder
- Amanda Kay Helmick, co-founder
- Mat McBride, co-founder
- Tod Rodman, co-founder
- Joe Szilagyi, co-founder
- Michael Taylor-Judd, co-founder
- Martin Westerman, co-founder
- Cindi Barker, co-founder
- Kevin Broveleit, co-founder
- Barbara Dobkin, co-founder
- Carolyn Stauffer, co-founder
- Diane Rose Vincent, co-founder
