New Flyer’s Laubenstein and Macpherson named to Mass Transit’s Top 40 Under 40 for outstanding leadership in advancing North American mobility

Mass Transit issues its Top 40 Under 40 list annually, recognizing outstanding young individuals making a name in North America’s public transit industry who illustrate a capacity for innovation, demonstrated leadership, and a commitment to making an impact in transit. Mass Transit is an industry publication dedicated 100% to public transit.

Laubenstein, Director of Sales and Business Development, and Macpherson, Director of Production Engineering, were recognized for steadfast and advancing commitment to the development and execution of smart, sustainable, and connected mobility solutions for transit agencies across North America. They join New Flyer’s Paul Cantin and Brydon Owen, who were named to Mass Transit’s Top 40 Under 40 list in 2018.

“New Flyer strives to develop our team, innovation, and ingenuity through continued opportunities for advancement and learning. Stephanie and Ian are both shining examples of leadership and talent driving industry innovation and making a prolific impact on North American public transit,” said Chris Stoddart, President, New Flyer. “Each lending unique perspective to New Flyer, they are truly developing and delivering to the market mobility solutions that will keep cities moving – including buses, technology, and infrastructure. As an organization, it is an honor to now have four members of our leadership team included on this prestigious list.”

Laubenstein joined New Flyer in 2009, and advanced through customer program and technical sales management roles before assuming responsibility of its business development initiatives, including innovation of commercial mobility solutions for a rapidly changing public transit industry. She also maintains extensive industry involvement, working to increase the adoption of zero-emission transit buses and infrastructure in North America and advocating for workforce development and diversity initiatives. She currently serves as a member of the Transit Working Group for the U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Powered by Industry (API) initiative, the American Public Transportation Association (“APTA”) Diversity and Inclusion Council, the APTA and Business Member Board of Governors Workforce Development Committees, the APTA Workforce Advisory Group Member for eLearning, and the Electric Bus Project Steering Committee with the Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC). Laubenstein is also a graduate of the Leadership APTA program, which identifies highly motivated industry professionals to participate in a year-long executive leadership program.

“It’s an absolute honor to be named to Mass Transit’s Top 40 Under 40 list, and to also serve a team with boundless opportunity for growth,” said Laubenstein. “Together, we’ve advanced mobility across North America and have developed buses, technology, and infrastructure that helps people get where they need to be every day – and to me – that’s the real win.”

Macpherson joined New Flyer in 2013 through North American Bus Industries, which New Flyer acquired later the same year. Moving from systems integration to chief engineer of design, Ian continued to advance to product development management through to his current role. As Director of Production Engineering, he oversees planning, designing, and testing of all production projects by North America’s largest transit bus manufacturer, and leads an international team of 200 designers, engineers, technicians, and project coordinators, together developing projects that support 30-40 separate transit agencies at any given time. Macpherson’s leadership, engineering acumen, and product innovation has quietly made a substantial impact on New Flyer’s electric propulsion and transit technology. For example, he is attributed as one of the inventors of SmartRider™ – New Flyer’s intelligent electronic bus levelling system – that ultimately improves accessibility and is a game changer for North American bus passengers.

“Being named to Mass Transit’s Top 40 list is not only an honor to me personally, but to the foundation of innovation and design New Flyer has built over many decades,” said Macpherson. “At a time when the mobility paradigm is shifting faster than ever, it is a true privilege to help solve some of the bigger environmental, social, and economic challenges our communities face by providing sustainable, safe, and efficient public transportation.”

For more information on Mass Transit’s Top 40 Under 40, visit www.masstransitmag.com.

New Flyer has been leading transit innovation in North America for over 90 years. In 2017, it opened the Vehicle Innovation Center in Anniston, Alabama, the first and only innovation lab of its kind dedicated to advancing electric and autonomous bus and coach technology, and in 2018, New Flyer also became the first bus manufacturer in the world to sign on to the Shared Mobility Principles for Livable Cities.

About NFI

With over 8,900 team members operating from more than 50 facilities across ten countries, NFI is a leading independent global bus manufacturer providing a comprehensive suite of mass transportation solutions under brands: New Flyer^® (heavy-duty transit buses), Alexander Dennis Limited (single and double-deck buses), Plaxton (motor coaches), MCI^® (motor coaches), ARBOC^® (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty buses), and NFI Parts™. NFI buses and motor coaches incorporate the widest range of drive systems available including: clean diesel, natural gas, diesel-electric hybrid, and zero-emission electric (trolley, battery, and fuel cell).  In total, NFI now supports over 105,000 buses and coaches currently in service around the world. NFI common shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol NFI. News and information are available at www.nfigroup.com, www.www.newflyer.com, www.mcicoach.com, www.arbocsv.com, www.alexander-dennis.com, and www.nfi.parts.

About New Flyer

New Flyer is North America’s heavy-duty transit bus leader and offers the most advanced product line under the Xcelsior^® and Xcelsior CHARGE™ brands. It also offers infrastructure development through New Flyer Infrastructure Solutions™, a service dedicated to providing safe, sustainable, and reliable charging and mobility solutions. New Flyer actively supports over 41,000 heavy-duty transit buses (New Flyer, NABI, and Orion) currently in service, of which 7,300 are powered by electric motors and battery propulsion and 1,600 are zero-emission. Further information is available at www.www.newflyer.com.

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