Earlier this month, Eno hosted transportation leaders from across the nation for the 2025 Eno Leadership Awards Reception. Supported by lead sponsor HNTB, the event celebrated individuals whose contributions have made a lasting impact on the transportation industry. Held alongside the Transportation Research Board’s Annual Meeting, the reception brought together more than 200 professionals to recognize excellence in leadership and service.

A Night of Celebration and Reflection

Carolyn Flowers, Eno Board Secretary, opened the evening with thoughtful remarks, setting the tone for a night dedicated to honoring leadership and commitment. She reflected on the vital role of collaboration in advancing transportation and applauded the attendees for their collective contributions to the field.

Flowers also took a moment to honor James H. Burnley IV, outgoing Chair of Eno’s Board of Directors, for his extraordinary contributions to the organization and the transportation industry. A former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Burnley has been a pivotal leader at Eno for the past decade, including eight years as Chair, guiding the organization through critical milestones and expanding its influence on key transportation issues. As he steps down from his role, Burnley will continue to support Eno as part of the newly established Board Emeritus program. Reflecting on his impact, Flowers remarked, “Jim, your legacy at Eno and in the transportation industry is extraordinary, and tonight we recognize you for your vision, service, and steadfast leadership.”

Patrick McKenna, Eno’s President & CEO, followed with a warm welcome, marking his first Leadership Awards as President and CEO. He expressed gratitude to the event’s sponsors and the members of Eno’s Boards of Directors, Advisors, and Regents that give so generously of their time to support Eno. McKenna emphasized the importance of celebrating individuals who inspire progress and exemplify the values of leadership and service.

The first honoree of the evening was Linda O’Bryant, recipient of the Wilbur S. Smith Friend of Eno Award, introduced by Patrick McKenna. O’Bryant was recognized for her dedication to fostering future leaders through the Thomas J. O’Bryant Fellowship, which she endowed in memory of her late husband. Her contributions to Eno’s Centennial Committee and commitment to education and training of young professionals and students have strengthened Eno’s mission and empowered emerging professionals to advance transportation policy and practice.  To further her impact, Linda made a pledge of support of $100,000 that evening and will continue to support Eno and our leadership initiatives for graduate students through her support.

Carolyn Flowers returned to the stage to present the Distinguished Alumni Award to Debra Johnson, General Manager and CEO of Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD). A graduate of Eno’s Transportation Senior Executive Program, Johnson has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ensuring transit systems serve as equitable and accessible resources for the communities they support. Flowers reflected on Johnson’s extensive career in public transit, which exemplifies the impact of leadership rooted in service and innovation.

Next, John Porcari, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation, introduced Paul J. Wiedefeld, recipient of the inaugural Downey Legacy of Service Award. As Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation, Wiedefeld has spent more than four decades strengthening Maryland’s multimodal infrastructure while mentoring the next generation of transportation professionals. Porcari highlighted Wiedefeld’s work leading transformative projects, including his time at WMATA and BWI Airport, and his ability to forge collaborative solutions to complex challenges.

The evening concluded with Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater introducing Tom Deen, recipient of the Mineta Award for Lifetime Achievement in Transportation. Slater reflected on Deen’s extraordinary career, including his leadership at the Transportation Research Board (TRB) and his groundbreaking contributions to intelligent transportation systems. Deen shared a personal story, recounting how his first exposure to the field of transportation came during his military service, when he discovered Transportation Quarterly, an Eno publication. He described receiving the award as a full-circle moment, honoring a career that Transportation Quarterly had inspired. Deen’s work has left an enduring legacy on transportation research and policy, exemplifying a lifetime of dedication to advancing the industry.

Throughout the evening, the honorees’ achievements served as powerful reminders of the collective effort required to advance transportation. The support of HNTB and other sponsors (click here to see the full list of sponsors) was instrumental in making the event a success and underscored the importance of collaboration in driving progress.

Patrick McKenna closed the ceremony with reflections on the evening and the profound impact of the honorees. He emphasized how the awardees embody the dedication and vision that drive progress in the transportation industry, noting their transformative contributions to systems and their ability to improve lives.

The 2025 Leadership Awards Reception celebrated more than individual achievements—it reaffirmed the power of leadership, collaboration, and innovation to shape the future of transportation. Eno thanks all attendees, sponsors, and supporters and looks forward to seeing you in 2026.