MARC JACOBSON, P.E., PTOE
TSMO PROGRAM MANAGER | CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
CANDIDATE FOR
ITE INTERNATIONAL
VICE PRESIDENT
Meet the candidate
As a child, I was fascinated with the traffic signals, signs, and markings that I would see as I traveled with my parents. During the many road trips that I took, I marveled at the highways that allowed us to travel to the ocean, drive through the mountains, and to visit that famous mouse in Florida. My seventh-grade counselor was the one who first informed me that the person that designed the traffic signals, signs, and markings that captivated me was a civil engineer. From that point forward I knew that I wanted to be a civil engineer that specialized in transportation. After taking extra STEM classes in high school and earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas A&M University, I achieved my dream of becoming a transportation engineer. My education provided the technical expertise to develop solutions to complicated transportation issues. However, I quickly realized that it takes a community of transportation professionals to implement those solutions. Much like ITE, my work community is made up of analysts, administrative assistants, technicians, customer service specialists, and engineers who all have different roles in improving transportation and safety. While each person’s contribution to the outcome is different, I understand that it takes the contributions from each person for the outcome to be successful. I respectfully ask for your support and vote for ITE International Vice President.
Connect with Marc:
Watch the welcome message for the 2020 TexITE Virtual Meeting
Watch TV News segment about traffic signal timing featuring Marc (KSAT TV)
Watch TV News segment about San Antonio’s Traffic Management Center featuring Marc (KSAT TV)
I am currently the Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) Program Manager for the City of San Antonio, Texas.
I have spent most of my professional career solving traffic problems, especially when it comes to improving traffic signal timing.
However, my passion for transportation started at a much younger age.
At the age of four, I started drawing the roads, signals, and signs that I saw as I would ride around town. That childhood interest blossomed into a long career.
I have spoken at countless ITE events at the Chapter, Section, District, and International levels.
ITE related social events are a great way to connect with our members and their families.
I love having the opportunity to meet with students from all over. (Seen here with the Texas A&M University Traffic Bowl team.)
I have enjoyed my time on the ITE International Board of Direction and feel like I have been able to make a positive impact on the organization.
Sometimes it is important to let your inner traffic signal shine.
You don’t have to know me long to find out I am a passionate Philadelphia Eagles fan. Go Birds!
I love spending time with my wife Liz and my children Asher and Lyla. I have definitely taught them more about traffic signals than they ever wanted to know.
I have been to all ITE Districts at least once and look forward to getting the opportunity to meet more ITE members!
Canadian District – Calgary, Alberta
I have been to all ITE Districts at least once and look forward to getting the opportunity to meet more ITE members!
Florida Puerto Rico District – Orlando, Florida
I have been to all ITE Districts at least once and look forward to getting the opportunity to meet more ITE members!
Global District – Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
I have been to all ITE Districts at least once and look forward to getting the opportunity to meet more ITE members!
Great Lakes District – Indianapolis, Indiana
I have been to all ITE Districts at least once and look forward to getting the opportunity to meet more ITE members!
Mid-Colonial District – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
I have been to all ITE Districts at least once and look forward to getting the opportunity to meet more ITE members!
Missouri Valley District – Omaha, Nebraska
I have been to all ITE Districts at least once and look forward to getting the opportunity to meet more ITE members!
Mountain District – Moab, Utah
I have been to all ITE Districts at least once and look forward to getting the opportunity to meet more ITE members!
Northeastern District – Portland, Maine
I have been to all ITE Districts at least once and look forward to getting the opportunity to meet more ITE members!
Southern District – Memphis, Tennessee
I have been to all ITE Districts at least once and look forward to getting the opportunity to meet more ITE members!
Texas District – El Paso, Texas
I have been to all ITE Districts at least once and look forward to getting the opportunity to meet more ITE members!
Western District – Palm Springs, California
ITE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
AWARDS AND HONORS
WORK AND OTHER EXPERIENCE
MY ITE VISION
Throughout my career, I have emphasized listening, collaboration, and thoughtful innovation. ITE’s strength lies in its diversity of disciplines, perspectives, and geography. As ITE Vice President, I am prepared to foster that strength, guide our organization through evolving challenges, and champion initiatives that make our profession more inclusive, resilient, and forward-thinking.
Connecting our Members
We must improve our connections with all members, especially our younger members, by reaching them where they are. Travel and funding limitations can make participation in certain offerings challenging for some members. Increasing access to low- or no-cost learning opportunities, creating more structured mentorship programs, and ensuring that our content is practical, timely, and applicable across different regions and job functions, will allow more members to connect with ITE. We should continue to provide value across all career stages whether at the ITE International level or at the Districts, Sections, and Chapters.
Focusing on Critical Issues
We must lead the global discussion on the key issues that will shape the future of transportation. Topics such as emerging technologies, climate resilience, and workforce development can be brought to the forefront using strategies like those that have recently been used to focus on transportation safety. The ITE Transportation Safety Roadmap and Action Plan created a topic-focused framework that should be expanded to these other issues. Providing ways to address these subjects with a variety of audiences and collaborate on solutions is critical.
Advancing our Community
To advance our community, we must prioritize inclusivity and engagement. Developing complex solutions requires input from many disciplines in the transportation industry. That means building on recent efforts to expand the number of planners in our community and amplifying voices from other underrepresented groups from all corners of our profession. ITE should be a place where every transportation professional —regardless of discipline, geography, or background — feels seen, heard, and valued. ITE can and should be the professional organization of choice for all transportation professionals.
From undergraduate students just beginning their studies to seasoned professionals with decades of experience, each member of the transportation community should find their place at ITE. My vision is for ITE to remain not just relevant, but indispensable—a place where professionals grow, ideas flourish, and the future of transportation is shaped. With your vote and support, together we can make this vision a reality.