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Honoring and recognizing Jeffrey D. Knueppel on the occasion of his retirement as the tenth general manager of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
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WHEREAS, Jeffrey D. Knueppel is a registered professional engineer, with an advanced degree in civil engineering, and has served as an employee of the Southeastern Transportation Authority (SEPTA) for 31 years. During his tenure, he progressed through a series of leadership positions before being named SEPTA’s tenth general manager in 2015; and
WHEREAS, In addition to overseeing 9,500 SEPTA employees, Mr. Knueppel has focused on strategic management of capital resources. After the passage of Pennsylvania Act 89 in 2013, he launched the ambitious Rebuilding the System Program, a comprehensive capital investment strategy to address the maintenance, repair, and upgrade needs of SEPTA’s assets; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Knueppel has also made safety a focus and actively solicited participation by customers and employees. Notably, under his leadership SEPTA implemented the federal Positive Train Control mandate ahead of deadline. SEPTA was recognized this year for the success of that implementation with an award from the American Council of Engineering Companies; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Knueppel has also stewarded the sustainability program at SEPTA. That program includes conversion of the bus fleet to hybrid and fully electric vehicles; stormwater management installations; solar panel installations; and energy-saving infrastructure upgrades. SEPTA also has entered into a long-term agreement to purchase a fifth of its electricity from dedicated solar farms, and will become the first major transportation agency to use solar technology to reinforce power for its commuter-rail signal system; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Knueppel has also focused on building bridges between management and employees. He has signaled that focus through the GM Employee Shadowing Program, which has allowed him to engage with frontline employees and learn all aspects of SEPTA operations; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Knueppel also distinguished himself for his role in the innovative Hub of Hope Project. For that project, SEPTA, the City of Philadelphia, and Project HOME partnered to construct a homelessness engagement center in Philadelphia’s Suburban Station. He continues to work with Project HOME executive director Sister Mary Scullion to fundraise in support of the Center; and
WHEREAS, In addition to serving as SEPTA’s General Manager, Mr. Knueppel also serves in a number of other leadership positions. In 2018, he was appointed by Governor Tom Wolf as the Pennsylvania voting member of the Northeast Corridor Commission, for which he chairs the Operations & Performance Committee. Moreover, he serves on the Boards of the American Public Transportation Association, the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association, the Transportation Learning Center, and the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau. He has also been recognized by a number of regional, national and international organizations, including Women’s Transportation Seminar International, March of Dimes, American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania, and American Society of Civil Engineers Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The SEPTA public transportation system is an indispensable asset to the City of Philadelphia and the Greater Philadelphia Region. Mr. Knueppel’s stewardship of that system is a testament to his professional dedication and acumen, and it merits recognition on the occasion of his well-deserved retirement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Jeffrey D. Knueppel be honored and recognized on the occasion of his retirement as the tenth General Manager of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Knueppel as evidence of the Council’s appreciation and esteem.
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