Henrika Buchanan-Smith: Associate Administrator for Program Management
Henrika Buchanan-Smith is the Associate Administrator for Program Management for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). She oversees FTA's transit investment programs including the new starts, fixed guideway modernization, bus and bus facilities programs, and the urban and rural formula assistance programs. Together, these programs, totaling approximately $10 billion annually, provide capital and operating assistance to maintain, improve, expand and rehabilitate the nation's public transportation infrastructure. Funds are awarded to urbanized areas and states through FTA’s ten regional offices. In addition, the Office of Program Management is responsible for transit safety and FTA’s program and project oversight programs.
Ms. Buchanan-Smith most recently served as the director of the Office of Transit Programs, where she was responsible for developing FTA’s implementation strategy and procedures for over $8.4 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, ARRA, program funds, as well as developing and implementing procedures for allocating over $1.5 billion in annual discretionary program funds. Prior to this, Ms. Buchanan-Smith managed the Job Access and Reverse Commute and New Freedom programs and served as a community planner in FTA’s Region IV office for five years.
Henrika began her career in transportation in FTA’s Office of Communications and Congressional Affairs as a Presidential Management Fellow. A native of Hillsboro, Alabama, Henrika received her B.A. and Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from Alabama A & M University. She received her juris doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center and is a member of the Maryland Bar.
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