Naomi Schellenberg joined the Vontas team last year as the company’s Vice President of Operations. She brings extensive experience in transit technology and a customer-focused approach to the company. With a career dedicated to improving public transportation, Naomi is set to lead Vontas in driving operational excellence and delivering innovative transit solutions.
A Transit Journey Rooted in Hands-On Experience
Naomi’s career in the transit industry spans over a decade, working with companies such as Mentor Engineering, Trapeze, and TripSpark. From fixed-route services to paratransit, and even student transportation at Busology, Naomi has worked across the spectrum of public transportation, giving her a well-rounded understanding of the sector’s challenges and opportunities.
“I’ve always worked in transit,” Naomi shared. “From fixed route to paratransit and even ride-sharing software, my entire career has been dedicated to improving how transit systems operate. Whether it’s ensuring timely service or optimizing the rider experience, I’ve seen firsthand how technology can make a significant impact.”
This hands-on experience with various transit modes has positioned Naomi perfectly to support Vontas’ mission of empowering transit agencies to improve operations, especially through innovative products like Vontas OnRoute and Vontas OnTransit.
Customer Interaction Shapes Her Approach
Naomi’s early career focused on implementation and support, where she gained invaluable experience by working directly with transit agencies. As an intern, she was deeply involved in customer operations, helping install systems, train drivers, and support dispatchers.
“From day one, I was right in the thick of it, helping customers get their systems up and running,” Naomi explained. “Whether it was programming devices or training drivers, being on-site taught me a lot about the real-world challenges transit agencies face. It also gave me a unique perspective on how our products are used on the ground, which has informed my entire career.”
This early exposure to customer operations helped Naomi develop a deep empathy for the issues transit agencies confront daily, such as staffing shortages, service interruptions, and unpredictable schedules. Her ability to understand these challenges and address them through technology has been central to her leadership style.
A Balance Between Technology and Human Needs
Naomi’s customer-first mentality goes beyond just solving technical issues; she brings a human-centered approach to problem-solving. She recognizes that while technology is critical, it must align with the human element of transit operations.
“There are times when technology works exactly as intended, but real-life scenarios don’t always match what we planned for,” Naomi said. “For example, if a paratransit driver arrives to drop off a passenger and the person they are supposed to hand them off to isn’t there, it creates a situation where technology alone isn’t enough. It’s these human scenarios where our solutions need to evolve.”
This balance between technical precision and human needs aligns with Vontas’ approach to transit management, especially through products like Vontas Headway and OnRoute. By focusing on operational efficiency and the rider experience, Naomi will help Vontas provide transit agencies with the tools to optimize their services in real-time while accounting for unexpected challenges.
Paving the Way for Operational Growth
At Vontas, Naomi oversees operational strategies that focus on delivering innovative solutions to meet today’s transit challenges, particularly in customer care and implementation. Her deep understanding of real-time transit operations positions her to enhance Vontas’ offerings, ensuring agencies can monitor and manage their services with greater efficiency.
Building on a Strong Foundation
As she steps into her new role, Naomi is focused on leveraging Vontas’ powerful solutions to help transit agencies make real-time decisions, automate processes, and enhance service reliability. “At Vontas, we’re providing agencies with the tools they need to make immediate decisions that improve service delivery and keep riders informed,” Naomi shared. “I’m excited to continue driving these efforts forward.”
Thanks to Naomi’s leadership, Vontas will be well-positioned to deliver even greater value to transit agencies, empowering them to improve service delivery and passenger satisfaction while navigating the complexities of modern transit operations.