b'Insightsrapid transit Silver Line phase two, we expect these rights- have the right accessand, at the same time, that control of-way to be even a greater benefit. room operators know to clear out trains when and where work is being done. Its about safety and security. Would you provide a glimpse into things that are challenging?Many of the challenges and opportunities we face require IT to continue to make concerted efforts to address current The breath, size, and scope of our expansive IT portfoliolong-term concerns. It also plays an important role in:is significant, encompassing infrastructure and operationsSupporting the acquisition of new technologiesthat help to make the railroad run. Twice a year we inspect every phone along 118 miles of track to make sure thatRecruitment and retention of skilled resourcesthey are operational.Mitigating the risks associated with outdated Cybersecurity is another challenge. We must ensure thetechnologysecurity of our systems and infrastructure, across manyEnsuring cybersecurity for ridership, lines of business, different applications, including mobile and online. Weand third partiesalso run internal operational technologies, like GeneralizedManaging a growing pool of data to support state Ordered Track Right Systems (GOTRS) that supports railroaddecision makersoperations. GOTRS helps us make sure the right people How do you lead?Situational leadership resonates with me. It refers to when the leader or manager of an organization must adjust styles to fit the development level of the followers he is trying to influence. If you are working with somebody who is very accomplished and experienced, then your approach may be more collaborative. Whereas with inexperienced staff, a situational leader may be more direct with them. Along with tailoring your leadership approach, it is also important to surround yourself with those with diverse opinions and experience. They allow you to test your assumptions and provide new perspectives. Information technology is critical to the success of WMATA. Would you give us an overview of your IT priorities? Our priorities are safety, customer service, transparency, fiscal responsibility and decision support. My office provides IT and telecommunication services to support these goals. We promote compatibility, integration, and interoperability; and we develop and enforce IT policy and standards throughout the Authority. To keep pace with trends in transportation and IT, we also need to refresh our technology stack by reinvesting in hardware and software applications. Some of the key drivers are end-of-life and end-of-support, as flagged by our ERP application. Were positioned to continually refresh IT with minimal disruption. 46 www.businessofgovernment.org The Business of Government'