CTS Distinguished Public Leadership Award

This award was established in 1998 by the CTS Executive Committee to recognize public leaders who through their vision, leadership, and knowledge have influenced innovative transportation policy directions that benefit society. The first recipient of this award was State Senator Keith Langseth in recognition of his leadership in sponsoring legislation that helped develop Minnesota’s transportation system and his ongoing support for transportation research and education programs.

2023 Recipient

Toni Carter
Toni Carter

This year’s award is presented to former Ramsey County Commissioner and newly appointed Metropolitan Council Member  Toni Carter. A commissioner for 18 years, Carter was also a member of the Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority and served on the Met Council’s Central Corridor Management Committee. She has continuously embedded equity objectives and measurable outcomes into county efforts that inform long-term planning and transit visions for Ramsey County and the wider region. Carter was a county representative on MnDOT’s Rethinking I-94 advisory committee and an inaugural board member of the ReConnect Rondo effort.

Past Recipients

2022

Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Director, Minneapolis Department of Public Works

2021

Randy Maluchnik, Carver County Commissioner (former)

2020

Representative Frank Hornstein, Minnesota House of Representatives

2019

Jon Huseby, District Engineer, MnDOT District 8

2018

Jim McDonough, Chair, Ramsey County Board of Commissioners

2017

Michael Beard, Minnesota House of Representatives (former)

2016

Judge James E. Dehn

2015

D. Scott Dibble, Minnesota State Senator

2014

Susan Haigh, Chair, Metropolitan Council

2013

Margaret Donahoe, Executive Director, Minnesota Transportation Alliance 

2012

James Hovland, Mayor, City of Edina 

2011

Peter Bell, Metropolitan Council (former)

2010

Steve Murphy, Minnesota State Senate

2009

Ron Erhardt, Minnesota House of Representatives (former)

2008

Fred Corrigan, Executive Director, Aggregate & Ready Mix Association of Minnesota

2007

Curtis Johnson, President, Citistates Group

2006

Anne Beers, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Public Safety

2005

Elliot Perovich, Transportation Analyst, Anoka County

2004

Bernie L. Lieder, Minnesota House of Representatives

2003

Colleen Landkamer, Blue Earth County commissioner

2002

Mary Hill Smith, Metropolitan Council

2001

Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County commissioner

2000

Carol Flynn, Minnesota Senate (former)

1999

James Oberstar, U.S. Congress (MN); Martin Sabo, U.S. Congress (MN)

1998

Keith Langseth, Minnesota Senate