Meet the Vice-Chair: Amanda Woodrum

Hello fellow transit and rail advocates,

If you care about passenger rail in Ohio, now is the time to pay attention.

I was asked to introduce myself as a relatively new board member of All Aboard Ohio to our members. Some of you may already know me. I spent more than a

decade leading a statewide transit coalition of diverse stakeholders. As you probably already know, we have underinvested in public transportation, both as a state and as a nation, for nearly a century. In the meantime, nearly all of our taxpayer dollars go towards roads and highways making it nearly impossible to get by without a car. As you also likely know, cars are expensive to own, operate and maintain. Often, prohibitively expensive for Ohio’s low-income families. For the elderly and people with disabilities they may not be an option at all. Public transportation, including passenger rail, is not only a more affordable transportation alternative, significant investments in alternative modes of transportation can create good jobs such as laying rail while also offering a more environmentally-friendly and efficient way to move people and goods.

This is why I joined the board of All Aboard Ohio. We are at a potential transformational moment. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to alter the trajectory of our state’s transportation system to finally recognize passenger rail and other forms of public transportation as important components of Ohio’s transportation system. President Bident signed into law a series of bills I refer to as the federal climate infrastructure package that include unprecedented investments in rail. Much work needs to be done, however, to bring any of these federal resources to Ohio.

It’s an all hands on deck moment for passenger rail enthusiasts.

Amanda Woodrum is the Co-Director of ReImagine Appalachia, a four-state coalition of diverse stakeholder groups working together to find common ground and create a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous Appalachia. She has a master’s degree in economics and law degree from the University of Akron in Ohio. Over the past 15 years or so, she has conducted research, advocacy and coalition building around the role energy, transportation, health, labor and anti-poverty policy can play to promote a more sustainable and equitable economy. In addition to serving on the board of All Aboard Ohio, she also serves on the University of Akron’s Dept. of Economics Advisory Board. After living in New York City and experiencing 9/11, she returned to Ohio determined to make the state and the region the kind of place she wanted to live.

From the Desk of the Board Chair

So often, when we think about passenger rail advocacy, we think about the voters, supporters, riders, those that need more and better access to transportation, as well as the legislators that can make passenger rail a reality in Ohio. One group that is often overlooked and should be front and center is the businesses and communities along the corridors that connect the cities in Ohio. There are so many benefits to having intercity transportation options that Arun Rao, director of network development for Amtrak, said he was encouraged by Ohio’s prospects, calling the Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati corridor “a textbook case where intercity passenger rail can be commercially viable.”

As you may be aware, in February Governor DeWine approved the Ohio Rail Development Commission’s application for the first phase of funding to study expanding passenger rail service in Ohio for two corridors, the Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati and Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit corridors. Additional applications were submitted by several MPOs throughout the state requesting studies for additional corridors as well.

As advocates and supporters of passenger rail in Ohio, we must learn to speak to the local business communities and business owners to share the benefits that come with passenger rail as a transportation option, while encouraging them to write letters of support to our legislators and join us in our advocacy efforts.

This is great for Ohio in that it provides:

• Jobs/ Workforce Development - Each $1 billion invested in fast, frequent passenger rail supports about 24,000 jobs.

• Manufacturing - Ohio is home to 146 companies in the rail supply chain that already support 23,000 jobs. They will be helping manufacture the next generation of passenger rail equipment.

• Productivity - Rail passengers can use travel time to work rather than fight highway traffic.

• Improved Connectivity – For 20% of Ohioans who do not own a car, air travel is an increasing hassle, and many more Ohioans do not wish to drive long distances (even to visit family).

• Economic growth - A recent U.S. Conference of Mayors study found that, by 2035, a higher-speed rail line through Los Angeles alone would create $7.6 billion in related sales; a line through Chicago would create $6.1 billion; a line through Albany, $2.5 million.

• Good for Ohio Business - To attract the jobs and workers of tomorrow, Ohio must provide transportation options to compete. The Columbus Partnership, Columbus and Cincinnati Chambers of Commerce, Downtown Cleveland Alliance, and many more business leaders support Ohio’s expansion of passenger rail.

• Not to mention- Tourism, attendance benefits to sports teams, college student and parent travel, and other peripheral benefits of intercity passenger rail.

This is why I ask you as an All-Aboard Ohio Member to make an effort to reach out to the businesses in our communities and share the good news! If you have any ideas or requests about business outreach, please feel free to email me at erin@allaboardohio.org.

Take Care,

Erin Rosiello

All Aboard Ohio

Introducing All Aboard Ohio's New Board Chair: Erin Rosiello

In her third year with All Aboard Ohio (AAO), Erin brings experience ranging from VP of Marketing for a regional retail chain, radio and television sales and management, to Business Development for national and international corporations (ADP/Paychex). She has been afforded diverse training and experiences that she hopes to incorporate into her work with All Aboard Ohio (AAO) as a board member and newly elected Chair.

Her work in marketing, sales, and as a civil servant for the state of Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Comp (BWC) sharpened her skills and ability to serve by learning to provide complex information to employers in simplified terms. As a Regional Manager for the BWC for Southwest Ohio, she was responsible for the education and direction of all Southwest Ohio employers, and local and state governments, helping them navigate the Ohio Workers’ Comp System and acting as a liaison to the Administrator of the BWC. During her work as a civil servant, she forged critical relationships with businesses, local governments, and state governments to help all involved parties better understand BWC programs and strategies to help manage workers’ compensation premiums, allowing her to hear and understand the needs of Ohio employers.

Erin Rosiello was born and raised in southwest Ohio and resides in Maineville with Pat and Nicole, their daughter. A career in sales, marketing, civil service, and entrepreneurship has prepared her to be a creative problem-solver, negotiator, and business leader. Erin attended both Miami of Ohio and graduated from Muskingum University, attending both on-track and cross-country scholarships. She has been involved in her community as a Clermont 20/20 Leadership Graduate, an OSU Certified Public Manager Graduate, a founding member of Cincinnati East Side Rotary, a graduate of the Miami Township’s Citizens Police Academy, and has run for Township Trustee and State Representative. She is also active as a volunteer in her community.