This week on Toll Talk, hosts Kalie Jakovics and Alexander Fakeri sit down with Anne Hay, CMO and EVP at PayNearMe, to dive into how toll agencies can modernize payments, reduce revenue leakage, and create a better experience for drivers. Whether you’re a tolling professional, policy maker, or just curious about the future of road payments, this episode will change how you think about tolling.

In this episode of To Talk, we’re joined by Sophia Currier, UX Manager and Chair of the Young Professionals Council (YPC). Sophia shares how she’s using her platform—both as a UX leader and as YPC Chair—to champion the voices of young professionals in an evolving industry. From shaping better user experiences to creating space for new ideas, Sophia is passionate about building inclusive teams and empowering tomorrow’s tolling leaders. Sophia’s journey is a powerful example of how curiosity, clarity, and confidence can create real impact—within a company and across an industry.

In this episode, hosts Kalie and Alex are joined by Shannon Bonilla, Chief Meeting Organizer for IBTTA’s Maintenance, Engineering & Roadway Operations Workshop and Department Manager at Dewberry. Shannon gives us a unique look at the people and purpose behind one of IBTTA’s most hands-on and collaborative events.

In this episode, hosts Kalie and Alex sit down with JJ Eden, a leading voice in the tolling and smart mobility industry. JJ shares how tolling isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. From improving traffic flow to giving people back precious time with their families, tolling plays a vital role in our daily lives.

In recognition of Global Road Safety Week 2025, this episode of Toll Talk joins the global movement to reduce roadway fatalities and elevate safety standards across the transportation industry. Hosts Kalie Jakovics and Alex Fakeri are joined by Ferzan Ahmed, Executive Director of the Ohio Turnpike and Chair of IBTTA’s Global Road Safety initiative, for a powerful conversation grounded in both data and lived experience.

In this forward-looking episode of Toll Talk, Brad Wright, CEO of NextMove by Cintra, joins Alex and Kalie to explore the real-world impacts of innovation in the transportation industry—from the dot-com boom to blockchain and the current wave of AI. With decades of experience navigating change and disruption, Brad shares insights into how emerging technologies are shaping public infrastructure and mobility. This conversation cuts through the hype to focus on what truly matters: trust, strategic communication, and meaningful tech adoption.

Kalie and Alex sit down on this episode to talk to a new IBTTA member, Alicia Gonzalez, the Principal/Founder of MRG. Alicia talks about her excitement of joining IBTTA and attending her first event after a great career in transportation. We also dug in about the upcoming 2025 Communications, HR & Legal Workshop and what to expect! Welcome to the family Alicia!

In this engaging episode, Steve Hewitt, CEO of the Kansas Turnpike Authority, joins us to discuss how leadership, innovation, and a people-first mindset are shaping the future of transportation in the Midwest. As the industry evolves, Steve emphasizes the importance of personal connection, strategic partnerships, and maintaining a strong organizational culture. From digital transformation to day-to-day operations, Steve shares how the KTA continues to adapt while keeping customers at the heart of every decision.

In this insightful discussion, Gregory Slater, CEO/Executive Director of the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority, joins us to explore the role of customer-centric decision-making in the transportation industry. While many agencies claim to prioritize customers, are they truly using a customer-first lens when shaping policies and innovations? Gregory shares his expertise on brand purpose, strategic decision-making, and the future of mobility, offering valuable insights into how transportation agencies can better serve their communities

Joining us are Darby Swank (VP of Tolling, LJA Engineering) and Shannon Swank (President, Quantitative Consulting)—a power couple balancing careers in tolling while building a life together. They share insights on working side by side, the unexpected ways love thrives in the industry, and how they manage the challenges of professional collaboration.