Bio
Rob Zako has been working for the last 25 year on transportation, land use, and climate change issues.
He is the founding executive director of BEST. Formed in 2012 as Better Eugene-Springfield TRANSIT, BEST first supported Lane Transit District’s extension of EmX bus rapid transit to west Eugene. Today as Better Eugene-Springfield TRANSPORTATION, BEST is building a successful community by bringing people together to promote transportation options, safe streets, and walkable neighborhoods. BEST was recently one of just eight organizations nationwide to receive an APTA Local Coalition Grant. Rob is also the land use member and vice-chair of the Lane Area Commission on Transportation (LaneACT).
Previously as a research associate with the University of Oregon’s Sustainable Cities Institute, Rob explored using the triple bottom line to make transportation and other decisions; examined the efforts of four states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation; and studied how effectively transportation investments are advancing livability and other goals. As a planner for the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), he assisted metropolitan areas reduce greenhouse gas emission from transportation. As an independent consultant, he led the effort to establish LaneACT. For five years he was the transportation advocate for 1000 Friends of Oregon. Rob holds a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the University of California at Berkeley and a B.A. in mathematics from Harvard
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