Office of Planning and Environment Leadership

Felicia James, Associate Administrator for Planning & Environment

Felicia James serves as the Associate Administrator for FTA's Office of Planning and Environment, providing executive direction to all FTA activities relating to transit and transportation planning and environment. The office administers a national program for the metropolitan and statewide planning process, the major capital grants investment program, and environmental programs and policies for all modes of public transit in the United States.

Ms. James previously worked as the Program/Policy Development Team Leader and Manager in the Office of Project Development and Environmental Review at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), where she directed oversight for the development of environmental policy and programs and research funds allocated for specific activities. She has also worked closely with federal agencies and national organization stakeholders on initiatives and emerging issues.

Prior to joining FHWA, Ms. James served as a Deputy Director/Division Chief with the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) where she was responsible for managing the SHA’s $5.4 billion portion of the six-year Consolidated Transportation Program and overseeing major capital and system preservation highway programs in the annual Statewide Planning and Research Program and the State Transportation Improvement Program. Ms. James also served as a Assistant Division Chief and project manager for the Maryland State Highway Administration.

Ms. James began her career in transportation with the North Carolina Department of Transportation as a Summer Engineering Assistant. A native of Mooresville, North Carolina, Felicia received her B.S. in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University. She lives with her husband, Allen, in Alexandria, Virginia.

Mark Ferroni, Deputy Associate Administrator for Planning & Environment

Mark Ferroni is the Deputy Associate Administrator for FTA's Office of Planning and Environment, supporting Ms. Felicia James, Associate Administrator, on executive direction to all FTA activities relating to transit and transportation planning, environment and proposed major capital projects (New Starts, Small Starts and Core Capacity) in project development and engineering phases. In addition, he provides executive management on FTA’s Expeditated Project Delivery Pilot Program.

Mr. Ferroni previously worked as the Program Coordinator for the Office of Planning, Environment and Realty, at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), where he drew upon a broad knowledge of DOT modal agency programs, Federal/State/Local agency relationships, and the FHWA’s mission and goals. Before becoming HEP’s Program Coordinator, Mark served as FHWA’s lead noise specialist, where he was the principal international advisor on FHWA’s highway noise program.

Mark began his career in transportation as an environmental specialist for a private engineering consulting firm, and made the switch to the public sector when he joined the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in 2000, as their Noise Program Manager.

Mark holds a Bachelor and Master of Science in Geo-Environmental Studies from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. He lives with his wife, Kim, and their four children in York, Pennsylvania.