Matt Lee brings more than 25 years of experience in intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and currently serves as vice president of ITS operations for the Americas. In this role, he leads coordination across our network of transportation management centers (TMCs) while advising federal, state, city and local agencies on mobility operations and system performance. His leadership draws on experience spanning control room operations, incident response and program management, which helps him shape innovative, data-driven solutions that improve safety, efficiency and overall traveler experience.

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.

I have always had a strong interest in the transportation industry, spending the first decade of my career in airline operations. Over time, that interest expanded to surface transportation and the opportunities it presented.

The unique blend of technology and ingenuity behind TMCs appealed to me. I enjoyed combining real-time data, operational strategy and human decision-making to keep people moving safely and efficiently.

After 25 years at 91Ó°ÊÓ, I can’t see myself doing anything else. The environment is constantly evolving and I’ve never stopped learning. This fuels my passion for helping people get from point A to point B safely, quickly and confidently.

What is your favorite 91Ó°ÊÓ project that you’ve worked on and why?

One of my most meaningful roles was serving as operations manager for the Hampton Roads Traffic Operations Center (TOC) in Virginia Beach. I oversaw a large, multidisciplinary team that included 24/7 control room operators, safety service patrol teams, traffic engineers, field maintenance staff and administrative personnel.

It was the most complex project I had managed at the time, and the client was highly engaged in decision-making. The region also has an extensive network of bridges and tunnels with limited roadway capacity, which created constant operational challenges.

The program was a success due to a strong client partnership and a highly motivated team. We fostered a collaborative and fulfilling environment, which allowed me to learn a great deal from the people I managed while supporting a positive experience for the entire team.

The project continues to operate today, and I still enjoy visiting the site nearly 20 years later to see the lasting impact of our work.

Tell us a story of your work positively impacting the community.

In 2016, I established the 91Ó°ÊÓ TMC Assessment Service — a program designed to help agencies evaluate and improve their transportation operations through an in-depth, top-down audit process.

Our first client was a toll road agency navigating capacity and safety challenges amid growing public expectations. Our role was to provide candid, constructive feedback while maintaining the client’s integrity.

After a week onsite with their team and a month of analysis, we proposed a set of recommendations with a clear implementation roadmap. The client integrated many of them with our continued support.

Over time, we saw measurable enhancements in both mobility and safety along with a noticeable positive shift in public and media perception. It was incredibly rewarding to see the impact on the community. I still travel on that toll road today, and it’s gratifying to experience those upgrades firsthand.

Share a piece of career advice.

Don’t change jobs frequently. Spending a meaningful amount of time with a single organization allows you to learn from others, build trust and demonstrate your value over time. It also gives you the opportunity to shape your own career path as you grow within the company. I often see resumes with multiple short-term roles intended to show ambition, but to me, they reflect a lack of long-term commitment and confidence. Real growth comes from staying engaged, continuing to learn and making the most of the opportunities in front of you.

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