It’s with great delight we welcome Thera Black as SCJ’s Transportation Planning Manager. Thera hails from Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) where she’s been a Senior Planner since 2000, managing the regional transportation work program, among other things.

“The depth and breadth of Thera’s experience, and her reputation for outstanding communication and collaboration, is creating much excitement at SCJ,” shares President Perry Shea.

“Thera has demonstrated expertise in transportation planning, funding, policy and technical analysis, as well as facilitation and community engagement. She’s a multi-dimensional professional,” he says.

“I’m excited to work with the talented team at SCJ Alliance. The firm’s commitment to client relationships, high-quality processes and products, and innovative solutions is making a difference in communities across Washington,” Thera said. “I look forward to adding my energy to this creative team.”

Thera has a comprehensive knowledge of the entire transportation system, supporting an integrated, multi-modal approach. She is frequently invited to speak about transportation policy, planning and public process.

“Thera is expert at fostering informed community engagement, with a special talent for translating complex concepts to non-technical audiences like policymakers, stakeholders and the public,” says Shea.

Thera has a B.A. from The Evergreen State College with an emphasis in urban planning. She participates actively, and in leadership positions, on many organizations within her field including the national Transportation Research Board (TRB) and the Joint Subcommittee on Transportation in Military Communities.

In Thurston County she’s an advisor to the Thurston Transportation-Oriented Development (TTOD) group, working to create high quality mixed-income neighborhoods on premier transit corridors.

A resident of Olympia since 1987, Thera’s interests beyond transportation are many, including sailing, gardening, photography, cooking and traveling.