BTS is grateful for every member of our Advisory Committee for their time, service, and insights. Here is a quick intro to two of our newest members.
Erika Dickstein
As founder and Chief Insight Officer of Spring Insight Marketing LLC, which builds websites and develops targeted marketing solutions for subject matter experts in a variety of industries, Erika didn’t hesitate when the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce asked her to be its representative on the BTS Advisory Committee.
A longtime Bethesda resident and business owner, she has been devoted to community service for decades. The Jewish Community Relations Council bestowed its Sara and Samuel Lessans Community Leadership Award last year on Erika and her husband, Todd Rosenberg, “for their years of passionate leadership to the Metro Washington, D.C., Jewish community and beyond.” The couple also served as the Council’s Annual Gala co-chairs in 2021 and 2022.
She is also a past president of the Metro Bethesda Rotary and serves on the board of directors of both Metro Bethesda Rotary and the Metro Bethesda Rotary Foundation. Erika is also vice president of the board of directors of the Tree House Child Advocacy Center of Montgomery County. And she provides pro bono strategic communication consulting to the Red Tent Fund.
Erika and Todd recently bought an electric vehicle, but she said she tries to use alternative transportation modes where possible. She regularly walks three blocks from her home to the Bethesda Circulator or hops on her bike for errands in Bethesda. The couple also has a 23-year-old at home who is a regular user of the Ride On bus network.
“I care about Bethesda’s continued growth as a place to do business,” she said. And as a bicyclist, Erika is “very interested in pragmatic biking solutions” — including infrastructure that truly provides safe separation between bicyclists and cars and doesn’t kill car commutes.
Learn more about Erika and her work at SpringInsight.com.
Katie Wagner, PE, PTOE
Depending on which stats and studies you believe, dog owners apparently walk way more than non-dog owners, to the tune of about 20 minutes and 2,000 to 3,000 extra steps daily.
This might have you scratching your (or your dog’s) head and wondering what it has to do with new BTS Advisory Committee member Katie Wagner, PE, PTOE.
Two things: Katie is a proud pet-mom to Maya, a hound dog with a keen nose for Bethesda businesses that offer treats. And Katie herself is keen on convincing more people to get out of their cars to walk, bike or take public transportation.
“Try riding Metro or taking the bus once a week instead of driving by yourself,” she suggests. “And pay attention to BTS’s exciting programs. Stop by the BTS tent at various events around the community and chat with the staff.”
Her interest in mobility alternatives is both personal and professional. She and her husband moved to Bethesda 10 years ago from the Pacific Northwest. They share a car and she walks five minutes to work, where she leads the Maryland office of transportation planning and engineering firm Gorove Slade.
As a transportation professional and Bethesda resident, Katie says she’s always kept an eye on BTS. After meeting Bethesda Urban Partnership Executive Director Jeff Burton through project work, he put her in touch with BTS Director Kristen Blackmon, who asked her to serve on the Advisory Committee.
Katie says that in order to help people choose transportation modes other than driving, we need cities that are better planned and have plenty of housing.
“People often don’t realize that the way American cities were planned contributes to the housing shortage and our heavy reliance on cars — issues that could be eased with better transportation solutions,” observes Katie.
She notes that Bethesda is well positioned to help lead by example thanks to being so bikeable, walkable, and having access to great public transportation.
“I grew up in the suburbs, so I know what it feels like to make these kinds of changes and adopt a multimodal urban lifestyle,” says Katie. “I’m really excited to be part of BTS’s efforts toward that end.”
