Complete Streets Webinar Series
RON KNEZEVICH
GDOT STATE SAFETY ENGINEERING SUPERVISOR
Ron Knezevich is the State Safety Engineering Supervisor at the Georgia DOT.
He uses data-driven practices and leverages a safe systems approach to reduce roadway fatalities in Georgia. Ron’s key roles include assisting in the management of GDOT’s Safety Program which leverages FHWA’s Highway Safety Improvement Program funds.
Additionally, he oversees the road safety audits within the state, serves as the Task Team leader for the Pedestrian and Bicycle Task Teams, and is the Coordinator for GDOT’s Safe Routes to School Program.
Previously, he served as the State Pedestrian Bicycle Engineer. Prior to this role, he worked as a research assistant specializing in data science and emerging technologies within traffic safety. Ron strives to utilize innovative and proactive approaches to reduce roadway fatalities in Georgia.
AMY MARTIN, VLMPO
SENIOR TRANSPORTATION PLANNER VALDOSTA-LOWNDES METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
Ms. Martin has been employed with the Southern Georgia Regional Commission for 8 years.
Ms. Martin’s responsibilities include Transportation Network and Transit Analyses, Multi-modal Transportation Planning, Public Participation Implementation and Transportation Related Grant Writing for the Valdosta-Lowndes Metropolitan Planning Organization and the 18-county Southern Georgia Region.
Ms. Martin received her Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in Public Sector Management from Valdosta State University.
JULIO A. PORTILLO, JR.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MIDTOWN, INC.
Julio Portillo was born and raised in San Salvador, El Salvador. His first introduction to Columbus, GA, was in 1991, when his father was stationed at Ft. Moore (formerly Ft. Benning). 19 years later, Julio moved to Columbus, Georgia to attend Columbus State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a Master of Public of Administration in Government Administration.
In July of 2018, he became the third Executive Director of MidTown, Inc. Prior to joining MidTown, Inc., he spent 12 years at River Valley Regional Commission as a Senior Transportation Planner, covering an area of 16 counties in Southwest Georgia, and in 2014, he began serving as an adjunct faculty member in the College of Science and Letters at Columbus State University where he taught public administration, public policy, and community development, through 2019.
CHIP BATTLE
PECAN CITY PEDALERS RIDE DIRECTOR
Chip has been an active member of the Pecan City Pedalers (PCP) since 1987.
During this time, he has held the positions of Vice President and President. Currently, Chip is the Ride Director and Administrator of the PCP Face Book page. In the past, he has been responsible for organizing the Club’s annual 100-mile event, which was the Lowenbrau Century for many years, but known as the Nut Roll for at least the past 10 years.
As Ride Director, Chip regularly organizes daily evening rides, as well as weekend tours. He has planned 100s of routes which are available on mapmyride.com and ridewithgps.com. Chip and a dedicated team of Route Scouts have investigated most dirt roads in Southwest Georgia and marked those available for public use on gravelmap.com.
He regularly participates in cycling advocacy efforts including Georgia Rails to Trails, League of American Bicyclist National Bike Challenge, and Scenic Byway designation of the Old Dixie Highway. Chip regularly is seen on the local news promoting events and bicycle safety.
NICOLE SMITH
AMERICA WALKS, OPERATIONS & PROGRAM MANAGER
Nicole Smith (she/her), is a writer and a public health professional who is passionate about making connections with the people and organizations she serves and sharing their stories.
Nicole holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a minor in general chemistry and a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in nutrition.
Nicole is also an alum of the 2019 America Walks National Walking College. As a former Community Health Specialist for the City of York, Pennsylvania Bureau of Health, Nicole led various community health initiatives focused on walkability and increasing safe physical activity through policy, systems, and environmental changes.
