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Learn More
View Full Profile
Projects
Explore some of Jeff's latest developments.
Tracking Tracks
Check Jeff's progress on riding every route mile of every major rail-based transportation system.
Speaking Engagements
Find some of Jeff's latest talks.
Contact
Get in touch.

Jeff Kessler
Professionally, Jeff’s passion has been the transportation sector, where he has unparalleled work and board experience spanning every major transportation system along the entire Northeast Corridor from DC to Boston (Amtrak, WMATA, SEPTA, MTA NYCT, MBTA CR).
Jeff is currently responsible for using technology to enhance operational practices and augment front-facing customer initiatives at Keolis Commuter Services, the private operator of the MBTA Commuter Rail in Boston and the surrounding suburbs. He is the Founder and Principal of KASDAT Consulting, an Emeritus Member of the Delaware River Port Authority Citizens Advisory Committee, a member of Young Professionals in Transportation (YPT), and an organizer of the TransportationCamp Philadelphia conference.
Current Endeavors
Keolis Commuter Services
Sr. Application Specialist – Service Delivery
Craft the Railroad of Tomorrow’s operational & customer experience support systems through the advancement of technology, automation, and data utilization across the MBTA Commuter Rail’s value chain.
KASDAT Consulting
Founder and Principal
Provide independent strategic and implementation guidance to firms and private individuals looking to leverage data, automate processes, and train their workforce to do the same.
TransportationCamp PHL
Co-Chair
Organized Philadelphia’s first TransportationCamp, bringing the transportation industry’s most dynamic conference model to the City of Brotherly Love in partnership with YPT and WTS. Visit http://transportationcamp.org/ for details and to subscribe to updates about our now third-annual iteration: TransportationCamp PHL 2020!
Delaware River Port Authority CAC
Emeritus Member
Provide industry knowledge and expertise to the official independent advisory board of the Delaware River Port Authority. Served as Transit Committee Co-Chair and Recording Secretary during prior 3-year appointment (confirmed by DRPA Board and Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor).
Experience
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Experience Across the Corridor
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SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority)
✔ Authored report and developed LINDO optimization model proposing 35 initiatives designed through field work, observation, market research, social media, historical records, and external agency collaboration.
✔ Oversaw multiple focus groups, analyzed results, and evaluated surveys to assess initiative performance.
✔ Administered and hosted more than 15 SEPTA Customer Connection events at various area destinations.
Keolis Commuter Services (Operator of the MBTA Commuter Rail)
SEPTA YAC
✔ Analyze $1.36B Operating Budget, $534.5M Capital Budget, $6.8B Capital Program, and Annual Service Plan
✔ Formulate Reports on Operational Improvements and Present Findings to Board of Directors and Executive Staff
✔ Responsible for bringing a “U-Pass” Discounted Student Fare Program to students in the Greater Philadelphia Region
MTA New York City Transit
✔ Assembled Plus/Delta evaluation through field surveys and 7 self-conducted interdepartmental focus groups
✔ Restructured training model, leading to a unitary increase in both training and platform satisfaction
WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority)
✔ Created WiFi Portal, built App Gallery, helped transition Metro to new website, led two developer events
✔ Analyzed and proposed improvements to rail/bus operating centers, next train prediction algorithms, incident monitoring/response, service disruption operational regularity, and customer experience/communication
Amtrak
✔ Supported designing of track structures and curve layouts; tracked Acela train on-time-performance.
Delaware River Port Authority
✔ Youngest member by more than 10 years; Appointment Overseen by Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley
Keolis Commuter Services (MBTA Commuter Rail Operator)
Sr. Application Specialist – Service Delivery, Since Jan ’19
Keolis Commuter Services
Application Specialist – Service Delivery, 6/18-12/18
Keolis Commuter Services
SEPTA Youth Advisory Council
Four Terms as Executive Chairperson (2013-2017); Member 3/13-9/17
Delaware River Port Authority
Citizens Advisory Committee Emeritus Member (Fmr. Appointment 12/14-8/17; Transit Co-Chair, Recording Secretary)
WMATA
MTA New York City Transit
SEPTA
The Transit Navigator
Amtrak
Background
Systems Engineering
Behavioral Economics
Business & Finances
Policy & Law
Graduate & Undergraduate Education
Concurrently pursued degrees from Wharton and Penn Engineering in UPenn’s oldest coordinated dual degree program.
Positions: M&T Program Student Board, Penn Transit Advisory Board, Robotics Program Teaching Assistant
Class of 2016
First student to pursue an interdisciplinary program in Engineering and Law / Technology Policy.
Positions: Penn Transit Advisory Board, Electrical & Systems Engineering Senior Design Teaching Assistant
Class of 2017
Bachelor of Science in Economics, 2016
Bachelor of Science in Engineering, 2016
Master in Law, 2017
Master of Science in Engineering, 2017
Select Recognitions

American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Jack R. Gilstrap Scholarship, 2016

Richard K. Dentel Award

Norman Gross Award, 2016
for Excellence in Systems Design

American Mensa

Johns Hopkins CTY
Visual-Spatial Ability National High Honors Award

Davidson Institute for Talent Development
Additional Information & Endeavors
Technical Skills

Python

Excel (w/ Optimization Tools)

Matlab

R

Project Management

Cognitive Task Analysis / Human Factors

WordPress
Volunteer Organizations

Operation Lifesaver
Operation Lifesaver Field Safety Volunteer

Fantastic Friends Social Group
Former Volunteer Staff Member & Web Integration Director

Penn For Youth Debate
Former Tournament Director, Website Manager, Executive Board Member, & Coach

M&T Student Board
Former Webmaster, Communications Chair, & Alumni Advisor
Conference Organization

TransportationCamp Philadelphia
Co-Founding Event Chair (2018-Present)

EduCon Conference
“EduConcierge” Founder | Chief Process Engineer | Alumni Consultant

The Franklin Institute

Philly Tech Week
Teaching & Speaking

Electrical & Systems Engineering Senior Design

Robotics in The Classroom
Previous Education & Specialized Programs

Science Leadership Academy, Class of 2012

Long Island School for the Gifted, Class of 2008

Rail Transportation Program
