Andrew Frye: Leadership Greater Topeka

TK: What do you hope your legacy will be? Why? 

I hope to bring awareness to mobility as a key enabler for Topeka’s growth. I can’t guarantee transit or bikes will be financially supported, but I can be a voice for the people that use them and the benefits that they can bring.  

TK: What motivates or inspires you? 

The potential to do and have a better existence for myself and others.

TK: What was your first job and what did you learn from it? 

My first job was an internship with KDOT doing construction inspection during the summer. I learned that granite looks awesome in countertops AND roadways. More importantly, it was a great exposure to translating the theoretical of plans and expectations of design to the reality of the built environment and having to adapt. 

TK: If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why? 

 Pause time so I could appreciate the world at any given moment as well as accomplish a few more things (not a ton) each day.

 TK: How has the current situation impacted your thoughts on leadership?

The current situation offers an ongoing laboratory for observing leadership styles and approaches. I feel it’s also solidified the ideal that anyone can lead from any position even if it’s making small decisions. Opportunities are currently abound in workplaces I’m interacting with to help bring together projects that are developing and redeveloping each day as the situation develops.

 TK: What will you do differently after the pandemic?

After the more focused pandemic timeframe I believe I will continue to develop and use the wider network of local and national resources of government, business and transit peers. There have been some great opportunities to connect with other folks in the transit industry. Transit agencies across the county are sharing information on how to communicate with the public and pivot to keep our communities functioning, by moving essential workers to work and citizens to their life supporting functions, whether that is groceries or doctor’s appointments etc.