Operation Lifesaver names new state coordinators in Connecticut, Florida and Kansas
WASHINGTON, DC, December 21, 2017 — Operation Lifesaver, Inc. Interim President Wende Corcoran announced new program leaders for the nonprofit rail safety education organization in three states. Kevin Burns now leads Connecticut Operation Lifesaver (CT OL) as state coordinator; Scott Allbritton is the new Florida Operation Lifesaver (FL OL) state coordinator; and Tara Mays has taken over as state coordinator for Kansas Operation Lifesaver (KS OL).
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) administers the Operation Lifesaver program for Connecticut. Burns, who lives in Wolcott, was tapped by CT OL’s board of directors to succeed former CT OL State Coordinator James Peay, who retired. A rail officer, Burns joined the CTDOT in 2016. He previously served as a police officer for the Town of Southbury, CT for 27 years, and has worked for the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles.
“As we launch the new Hartford Line commuter service, getting Operation Lifesaver’s safety message out to the community is a vital part of educating drivers and pedestrians in Connecticut,” Burns said.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) administers the Florida Operation Lifesaver program. Allbritton, who is FDOT’s administrator, rail operations and programs, was named to lead the FL OL program this year, succeeding previous state coordinator André Goins. Allbritton, who lives in the Tallahassee area, joined FDOT’s rail office in 1996 and has been responsible for the development of railroad crossing safety projects for over twenty years.
“As rail transportation continues to grow in Florida, our goal at FL OL is to focus on highway-rail crossing safety and trespass prevention through expanded educational initiatives,” Allbritton stated.
Mays, who succeeded previous KS OL state coordinator Julie LaCombe, has worked on transportation issues for the past eight years with the Kansas Department of Transportation, the Kansas Turnpike Authority, and transportation stakeholders throughout the state. A Topekan who graduated from Washburn University, Tara began her career in state service in 2004 and since 2015 has been a part of the family consulting and management firm, The Mays Group.
“I’m looking forward to continuing Operation Lifesaver’s important work of sharing lifesaving messages across Kansas so that citizens will be properly educated about train safety,” said Mays.
“Every three hours in the U.S., a person or vehicle is hit by a train, so providing the public with information on grade crossing safety and trespass prevention is crucial,” said OLI’s Corcoran. “These three rail and transportation safety experts will help advance Operation Lifesaver’s efforts in their states, and we look forward to working with them. We are also grateful to the previous state coordinators in Connecticut, Florida and Kansas for their contributions to improving safety.”
Burns can be reached at Kevin.Burns@ct.gov or 203-497-3381. Allbritton can be reached at scott.allbritton@dot.state.fl.us or 850-414-4553. Mays can be reached at tmays@kscapitol.com or 785-806-8801.
About Operation Lifesaver - Operation Lifesaver is a nonprofit public safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail crossings and preventing trespassing on or near railroad tracks. A national network of trained volunteers provides free presentations on rail safety and a public awareness campaign, “See Tracks? Think Train!” equips the public with tips and statistics to encourage safe behavior near the tracks. Learn more at http://www.oli.org; follow OLI on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
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