Influential Woman · Public Transportation

Sparkle Catchup

Vice President Bus Operations, DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit)

St. Louis, MO

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Member American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

Her Story

About Sparkle

I've spent about 20 to 21 years in transportation, and I often say it was a calling. I started as a stay-at-home mom who just really needed to get out of the house and do some work. I began driving for a school bus because the schedule worked perfectly - I could drop my kids off and still be home to pick them up in the evening. That's initially how it started, just a way for me to get out of the house. Now I serve as Vice President of Bus Operations, leading the biggest department in my agency. My days are never the same - I commute into work, check on my administrative staff, visit bus facilities and communications centers, attend meetings, and whenever I can get out, I visit transit centers to talk to customers. I'm everywhere and nowhere at the same time. I'm a servant leader who believes that anyone who has worked for me or with me knows that it doesn't matter if you are the janitor or the CEO of the company - we all should treat each other the exact same. In public transit, I show up every day, rain, snow, sleet, ice, even during a pandemic, because there is a grandmother or grandfather who depends on our transit system to get them to the grocery store or their doctor's appointment. It is our duty to ensure that we get them where they need to go. Our customers come first, always.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Sparkle

01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The greatest piece of advice I received was during a really stressful situation. Someone told me that you can only do what you can do, and as long as you're giving it your all, you let that be. Leading the bus side of a public transit agency can be stressful, and sometimes you have variables that are uncontrollable. But you can only control what you can control. If you always keep that in mind, you anticipate what you can't control, but as long as you stay focused and be ready for the things you can control, you have to let everything else go.

02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

In transit, I think the biggest challenge is ensuring that we remain relevant. Public transit is one of those things that we know there is a need for it. We want to serve, we want to be of service to our communities, and ensuring that we can always be there to provide that service for those in need. We're also dealing with the other side of it being a public transit company. Really ensuring that we can provide that safe transportation for those who need it, and also being the primary source for those as a choice.

03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Professionally, I always want to treat anybody like I want to be treated. Anyone who has worked for me or who has worked with me knows that it does not matter if you are the janitor or you're the CEO of the company - we all should treat each other the exact same. I am a servant leader. I want to ensure that everyone has the best experience when working with me. Our customers come first. In public transit, I show up every day, rain, snow, sleet, ice, even during a pandemic, because there is a grandmother or grandfather who depends on our transit system to get them to the grocery store, get them to their doctor's appointment. And it is our duty to ensure that we get them where they need to go.

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