Spring Break
Oppenheimer: A man with a plan
Joel Cohen
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: News
For months, the university administration and student body have been mired in debate over the Purple Line, a metro line that could ultimately shape the transportation system both on the campus and throughout the Washington area. One of the most controversial and closely watched debates surrounding this topic involves the route the line will ultimately take through the campus.
On one side are university President Dan Mote and administrators, who now advocate a Preinkert Drive route after initially advocating a Stadium Drive route. On the other side are the Maryland Transit Administration officials and their chief spokesman and engineering consultant, Joel Oppenheimer, who advocate a Campus Drive alignment. Besides being the frontman for the MTA, Oppenheimer is also a motivational speaker and the vice president of STV Inc. The Diamondback spoke to Oppenheimer to find out more about his experiences in dealing with the Purple Line, his motivational speaking and how they have worked together in his career.
The Diamondback: Can you talk a little about your educational background and how it helped you get where you are today?
Joel Oppenheimer: My degree is civil and urban engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. … I studied quite a bit to get very good grades. Then when I graduated, I worked for five years; then I went back for a master's in engineering administration at George Washington University. I had night class for three-and-a-half years while I was still working, but really my management experience gave me the comfort of getting in front of people and talking. Over time, I had seminars in a variety of things that drew me to read a lot and listen to a lot of books on tape, and the more I listened, the more I enjoyed learning and sharing that information.
DBK: Can you discuss how you got involved in time management seminars?
Oppenheimer: Through practical experience, I knew that I didn't manage my time as well as I should, and I never had enough time for everything. It was an interest of mine, and I read some materials on it, and I listened to some audio books, and the story has it that, back in 2002, I was on a committee at my company to organize the management retreat. It was a two-day retreat, and I boldly said that we should get someone to speak about time management. The president of the company, after getting the minutes of the meeting, made an agenda for the retreat. Next to the time management seminar, he listed my name.
On one side are university President Dan Mote and administrators, who now advocate a Preinkert Drive route after initially advocating a Stadium Drive route. On the other side are the Maryland Transit Administration officials and their chief spokesman and engineering consultant, Joel Oppenheimer, who advocate a Campus Drive alignment. Besides being the frontman for the MTA, Oppenheimer is also a motivational speaker and the vice president of STV Inc. The Diamondback spoke to Oppenheimer to find out more about his experiences in dealing with the Purple Line, his motivational speaking and how they have worked together in his career.
The Diamondback: Can you talk a little about your educational background and how it helped you get where you are today?
Joel Oppenheimer: My degree is civil and urban engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. … I studied quite a bit to get very good grades. Then when I graduated, I worked for five years; then I went back for a master's in engineering administration at George Washington University. I had night class for three-and-a-half years while I was still working, but really my management experience gave me the comfort of getting in front of people and talking. Over time, I had seminars in a variety of things that drew me to read a lot and listen to a lot of books on tape, and the more I listened, the more I enjoyed learning and sharing that information.
DBK: Can you discuss how you got involved in time management seminars?
Oppenheimer: Through practical experience, I knew that I didn't manage my time as well as I should, and I never had enough time for everything. It was an interest of mine, and I read some materials on it, and I listened to some audio books, and the story has it that, back in 2002, I was on a committee at my company to organize the management retreat. It was a two-day retreat, and I boldly said that we should get someone to speak about time management. The president of the company, after getting the minutes of the meeting, made an agenda for the retreat. Next to the time management seminar, he listed my name.
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