CITT News

When beginning his work with CITT in 2004, Dr. Thomas (Tom) O’Brien was in the midst of obtaining his PhD. From his initial position as Applied Research Coordinator, he worked his way up the ranks of CITT to the Director of Research, and then to his current position of Executive Director. Recently, the editorial team sat down to chat with Dr. O'Brien in their quest to learn more about his background and how his journey led him to CITT.

Unexpected Beginnings
My career trajectory was largely unintentional. As a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco in the late 1980s, I had a chance to work on a summer project for USAID focusing on land tenure. This got me interested in urban planning, which brought me to L.A. for a master's program and ultimately a PhD. I was doing research on technology in transit operations when my advisor assigned me to a METRANS-related project at CSULB to take notes. It took me to freight, and I was hooked.

“Don’t Mess Up”
My two great mentors are Gen Giuliano, METRANS Director, who sent me to CSULB, and Marianne Vinieris, my predecessor at CITT. Gen saw the value of applying traditional academic skills to the freight sector before it was a discipline of study. Marianne knew that the university couldn’t make an impact without the industry. CITT has credibility because of Marianne’s work. My goal on a daily basis is not to mess this up.

Bridging Industry & Academia
CITT has always been about bridging the gap between the university and industry. The GLS, now GLP, made a mark from the beginning because it was a program that was industry-designed and taught. It allowed us to build a reputation and a [highly qualified] bank of experts to advise us on our research and the development of other education programs.

Educating K-12 to the Workforce
I am interested in establishing connections between all segments of the educational continuum, from K-12 through the workforce. The Long Beach Promise gives us a framework (and a mandate) to make those connections. We seek to build a curriculum at all levels that responds to the needs of the learner regardless of the background.

Mobility and its Societal Significance
I am hopeful that mobility becomes a solution to urban equity problems, both as a career pathway and as a means of access to the workplace and the services that make urban life meaningful. While I am not naïve about the threats posed by technological advancement, I sincerely believe that CITT is in a position to help students take advantage of the opportunities that come from harnessing that technology.