Ithaca Tompkins County Transportation Council names new director

ITHACA, N.Y. — The Ithaca Tompkins County Transportation Council (ITCTC) has appointed Tom Knipe as its new director, beginning in September, the organization announced. Knipe brings an array of experience in transportation, planning, economic development, program management, and government administration from previous roles as deputy director of economic development for the City of Ithaca and director of the Tompkins County Tourism Program. He has played a key role in many local projects and organizations such as the recent establishment of the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center and Shared Kitchen Ithaca. Knipe also authored the Ithaca Bicycle Boulevard Plan and Tompkins County Priority Trails Strategy. He also worked for 11 years in the bicycle-transportation field in Portland, Oregon and is co-founder of Bike Walk Tompkins. “Tom is a creative leader with strong interpersonal, administrative, and planning skills,” ITCTC Policy Committee Chair Rod Howe said in the announcement. “His knowledge of and commitment to Ithaca and Tompkins County will be a tremendous asset. The ITCTC is excited to welcome him as our next director.” Knipe replaces Fernando de Aragón, who is retiring after more than 27 years with the ITCTC. Under his leadership, the ITCTC successfully attracted funding for transportation infrastructure and programming for Tompkins County communities. He was a key participant in many initiatives including development of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail and the formation of Ithaca Carshare, per the announcement. The ITCTC is Tompkins County’s metropolitan planning organization charged with facilitating countywide transportation planning.