In Memoriam: Paul J. Larrousse, Executive Director, National Transit Institute

November 29, 2018

Paul Larrousse, Director of the National Transit Institute at Rutgers University, died on November 14, 2018. Paul was born in Queens, N.Y. and grew up in East Brunswick, N.J. He spent his early career in transit in York, PA, Wayne County, MI; Middlesex County, NJ; Waukesha, WI; and served as General Manager of Madison Metro for 14 years before joining NTI.

Paul was a quiet and sometimes not so quiet force who believed that NTI’s role was to form partnerships to expand the reach of individual industry efforts – including funding the development of the Eno Mid Management Seminar, which Eno continues to deliver today.

As a teacher of graduate students in transportation at Rutgers University and a mentor to the participants in NTI training courses, Paul encouraged, nudged and educated many to embrace the industry that he so loved.

Paul demonstrated his commitment to workforce development and research every day:

As Director of NTI, Paul lead a strong team of NTI and industry professionals to offer vital training in the areas safety, planning, advanced technologies, compliance and management development.“Paul had a drive and passion that pulled all of us who knew him along. Paul never settled for second best and was a consummate professional.”  J. Barry Barker, Chair of the NTI Advisory Board.

As a member of the APTA’s Executive and Legislative Committees, Chair of the APTA Workforce Development Committee and the LGBT Task Force, and member of the TCRP TOP’s Committee, Paul’s advocacy for research and workforce development funding was unwavering. “Paul’s worldly experience helped provide the voice of reason during debates about transportation projects.  His expertise will be sorely missed.” Bob Prince, fellow TOPs Committee member.

Paul understood the long view and the tactical steps to further access to research and to the development of the transportation workforce. We will miss his warmth and his leadership.

A scholarship in Paul’s name has been established by the American Public Transportation Foundation. Donations can be made at:  www.aptfd.org

Dr. Barbara Gannon is a Principal at GannonConsult. She was also the Founding Director of the Eno Center for Transportation Leadership (2002-2012).

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