GREG SLATER

CEO & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TAMPA HILLSBOROUGH EXPRESSWAY AUTHORITY, TAMPA

THEA manages the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway and other regional infrastructure in Tampa Bay. It processes more than 78 million toll transactions each year. As CEO of THEA, Slater has championed a more connected Tampa Bay through regional collaboration and community-focused transportation solutions and made it a mission to embed technology and data into every aspect of the agency’s work. “Turning infrastructure into a dynamic, responsive system that adapts in real-time isn’t just the future, it’s how we deliver safer, more efficient mobility today,” Slater says.

EDUCATION: Towson University (BS)

FIRST JOB: My first job was in Baltimore City mapping utility infrastructure, walking street by street to document water lines, sewer systems, hydrants, all of which were integrated into a GIS platform. That hands-on experience sparked my fascination with how systems connect and function, ultimately leading me to a career in transportation and infrastructure planning and delivery.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: If I weren’t in transportation, I’d pursue a role at the intersection of technology and public policy — using data and digital tools to solve complex challenges.

SOMETHING SURPRISING: Before leading THEA, I served as secretary of transportation in Maryland, managing all transportation modes across the state. ... I’m a total data junkie. I love diving into the data to find insights that drive smarter, safer infrastructure decisions.