Stephen Ernst – Executive Director
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, University of Illinois, 1979
Specialty Areas:
- MPO Administration, Funding & Policy
- Passenger Rail
- Congestion Management, Traffic Operations
- Intelligent Transportation Systems
- Traffic Engineering & Safety
Contact Information:
815.964.RMAP office
815.218.7356 cell
steve.ernst@rockfordil.gov
Jon Paul Diipla, AICP – Metro Program Manager
Education:
Bachelor of Arts with Honors, Geography/Urban Planning; DePaul University, 2005
Master of Arts, Urban & Regional Planning; University of Illinois, 2007
Specialty Areas:
- Environmental Justice and Title VI
- Geographic Information Systems
- Public Participation Planning, Surveys and Outreach
- Public Transit & Workforce/Human Services Coordination Planning
- Telecommunications & Broadband
Contact Information:
815.964.RMAP office
815.987.5628 direct
jonpaul.diipla@rockfordil.gov
Michael R. Hren – Metropolitan Planner
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Urban & Regional Planning, with a Minor Concentration in English, University of Illinois, 2007
Specialty Areas:
- Mapping, Digital Technology & MPO Website Management
- Transportation Economics & Fiscal Impact
- Resource Agency Coordination
- Economic Development, Community Planning & Urban Design
- Census Geography & Coordination, Demographics
Contact Information:
815.964.RMAP office
815.967.7064 direct
michael.hren@rockfordil.gov
Colin R. Belle – Metropolitan Planner
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Science, with a Minor Concentration in Geographical Information Systems, Plattsburgh State University, New York, 2004
Master of Regional Planning with Honors, Concentration in Environmental and Land-Use Planning, University of Albany, New York, 2010
Specialty Areas:
- Land Use Planning, Regional Growth Management, Housing
- Public Facilities, Open Space & Utility Planning
- Transportation Corridor Master Planning
- Transportation Improvement Program Development
- Urban Design & Architecture
Contact Information:
815.964.RMAP office
815.967.7067 direct
Gary W. McIntyre – Metro Program Manager
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Geography; Illinois State University, 1980
Specialty Areas:
- Unified Work Program Development
- Freight & Cargo Planning
- Environmental & Green Planning, Air Quality Monitoring, Bicycle & Pedestrian Planning
- Transportation Demand Modeling & Traffic Counts
- Demographic, Land Use, Employment & Traffic Forecasting
Contact Information:
815.964.RMAP office
815.987.5638 direct
gary.mcintyre@rockfordil.gov
Christina “Chris” Washington-
Senior Administrative Assistant
Specialty Areas:
- Office Administration
- Accounts Payable, Payroll & MPO Financial Affairs
- MPO Meeting Planning & Scheduling
- MPO Committee Agenda, Minutes & Record Keeping
- Special Assistant to the Executive Director
Contact Information:
815.964.RMAP office
chris.washington@rockfordil.gov
