National Transit Leader to Present “The Positivity Advantage: Mastering Patience, Presence, and Persistence to Lead with Impact”

The South West Transit Association (SWTA) is excited to announce Ehren Bingaman, National Practice Leader, Transit at Burgess & Niple, as the keynote speaker for the 2026 SWTA Leadership Lab in Breckenridge, Colorado.

Bingaman will take the stage Tuesday to present “The Positivity Advantage: Mastering Patience, Presence, and Persistence to Lead with Impact,” bringing 30 years of public sector and public transit experience to a Leadership Lab built around developing stronger leaders, creating meaningful connections, and preparing transit professionals for the challenges ahead.

The Positivity Advantage

Leadership in public transportation requires the ability to navigate constant change, make difficult decisions, support employees and communities, and continue moving an organization forward—even when the path isn’t easy.

Bingaman’s keynote will focus on patience, presence, and persistence and how those qualities can help leaders create greater impact within their organizations and the communities they serve.

The topic is a natural fit for Leadership Lab, where the focus extends beyond technical knowledge to the people, perspectives, and leadership skills that ultimately shape successful public transportation organizations.

Meet Ehren Bingaman

Bingaman brings 30 years of experience in public sector and public transit as both an agency executive and consultant.

Throughout his career, his work has focused on strategy, leadership, organizational development, infrastructure solutions, facilitation, strategic planning, communications, policy analysis, and helping teams find practical solutions to complex challenges.

As National Practice Leader, Transit at Burgess & Niple, Bingaman leads the firm’s national transit practice, providing planning, engineering, design, and management solutions to transit agencies across the country.

Known as a leader, facilitator, connector, and executive, Bingaman has demonstrated an ability to help teams grow and achieve results while keeping the ultimate goal in focus.

His involvement in Breckenridge will extend beyond the keynote stage. Bingaman will also facilitate the SWTA Board Retreat on Sunday, helping begin a week centered on leadership, collaboration, and the future of public transportation.

An Active Leadership Experience

The 2026 SWTA Leadership Lab is designed to be more than a traditional conference. It brings emerging and established public transit leaders together for interactive learning, professional development, peer conversations, and practical discussions around the issues affecting transit organizations today.

Monday is dedicated to the Public Transit Legal Symposium, featuring sessions focused on legal, legislative, regulatory, workforce, public safety, and Tribal transit issues.

Tuesday continues with leadership-focused programming, interactive sessions, and Bingaman’s keynote presentation.

Leadership Lab also leads directly into the CASTA Fall Conference & EXPO and State Partnerships Conference, creating an opportunity for attendees to extend their time in Breckenridge for an even broader week of education, networking, and collaboration.

The agenda is published, registration is open, and the Leadership Lab experience is coming together.

Join Ehren Bingaman and transit professionals from across SWTA Nation at the 2026 SWTA Leadership Lab in Breckenridge.

Register today and be there for “The Positivity Advantage: Mastering Patience, Presence, and Persistence to Lead with Impact.”