The Mineta Forum on Transportation Policy & Leadership: Honoring a Legacy of Service and Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of 9/11

Twenty-five years ago, the events of September 11th transformed transportation, security, and national understanding of leadership, especially in times of crisis. This September 9th San José State University’s Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI), in partnership with United Airlines, will host the Mineta Forum on Transportation Policy & Leadership: Honoring a Legacy of Service to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and reflect on the extraordinary leadership of then-Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta, whose steady guidance helped our nation navigate one of its darkest days.

Through engaging discussions with national leaders—including those there on September 11th, 2001—the forum will examine the qualities of leadership that unite people in moments of uncertainty and shape the future of mobility. The program includes a tribute to Secretary Mineta, remarks from former Secretary of Transportation and national expert on transportation law and policy, James Burnley, and a candid conversation reflecting on the leadership lessons of September 11. 

The event’s featured panel examines the realities of today’s transportation security landscape and how it depends on ongoing collaboration that transcends agencies, modes, and political perspectives. The panel will be moderated by The Honorable Nuria Fernandez, 15th Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration. 

Speakers for this panel include (listed alphabetically):

• Randy Clark, General Manager & CEO, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

• The Honorable Jennifer Homendy, Chair, National Transportation Safety Board 

• Steve Morrissey, Vice President - Regulatory and Policy, United Airlines

• Joanna Nunan, Vice Admiral, U.S. Maritime Service (Ret.)/Rear Admiral, U. S. Coast Guard (Ret.) 

The forum will conclude with the Mineta Legacy Initiative Networking Reception, celebrating Secretary Mineta’s enduring legacy while inviting attendees to help advance the next generation of transportation leadership.

The forum host committee includes former U.S. Secretaries of Transportation (listed in chronological order of their service) Elizabeth Dole, James H. Burnley IV, Samuel K. Skinner, Andrew Card, Federico Peña, Rodney Slater, Mary Peters, Ray LaHood,  Anthony Foxx, and Elaine Chao; former Deputy Secretaries of Transportation John D. Porcari and Polly Trottenberg; and former Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration Jane Garvey. Their participation demonstrates the extraordinary bipartisan respect Secretary Mineta continues to command and reinforces the forum’s commitment to advancing the collaborative leadership that has long strengthened American mobility.
Registration is currently open for this event until Monday, August 31st, 2026. More information and the link to register can be found here. 

Event Details

Date: 

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Time: 

Location:

Registration Fee:

The Mineta Transportation Institute is proud to partner with United Airlines as the presenting sponsor of the Mineta Forum. Through this premier partnership, United Airlines is helping convene bipartisan transportation leaders from across the nation to honor Secretary Mineta's legacy, learn from the past, and collaborate on the future of American mobility.

For media inquiries or to request event coverage, please contact Alverina Weinardy at alverina.weinardy@sjsu.edu or 408-924-7566.

ABOUT THE MINETA TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE

At the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) at San Jose State University (SJSU) our mission is to increase mobility for all by improving the safety, efficiency, accessibility, and convenience of our nations’ transportation system. Through research, education, workforce development and technology transfer, we help create a connected world. Founded in 1991, MTI is a university transportation center funded by the US Department of Transportation, the California Department of Transportation, and public and private grants, including those made available by the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1). MTI is affiliated with SJSU’s Lucas College and Graduate School of Business.

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