With a distinguished career in safety management, Bernadette Fowlkes-Bridges has extensive experience in ensuring compliance, risk management and safety oversight across various sectors.

Bernadette holds an associate of arts degree in law enforcement from the Community College of Baltimore in 1978, earning further credits in occupational safety and health from Catonsville Community College and credits in business from the College of Notre Dame. Bernadette holds an ACE in safety management systems from AAAE, the largest National Airport Professional Organization.

Since July 2016, Bernadette has served as director of safety and risk management at the Maryland Aviation Administration. In this role, they manage and direct the work activities of two staff members, ensuring that MAA meets all federal and state compliance requirements. Their responsibilities include coordinating risk management efforts related to workers' compensation, airport insurance requirements, and state and personal claims. They also establish and implement MAA's Federally Recommended Safety Management System Program, conduct safety committee meetings and oversee safety data collection and analysis. Bernadette is instrumental in promoting a strong safety culture within MAA by releasing regular safety tips, flyers and bulletins, managing the safety hotline, and maintaining hazard forms and safety suggestion boxes.

From December 2007 to July 2016, Bernadette was chief safety officer for the Maryland Transit Administration. In this role, they were responsible for overseeing the maintenance and administration of MTA's System Safety Program, managing a team of 50 staff members and allocating departmental resources to achieve safety goals. They played a crucial role in coordinating system safety program activities in alignment with MTA's strategic plan and management goals, chairing the MTA Executive Standing Safety Committee and working with federal, state and local agencies to ensure regulatory compliance. Bernadette also developed new safety program initiatives, oversaw the implementation of safety plans and procedures across all MTA modes and managed the Owner Controlled Insurance Program for capital construction projects.

Prior to becoming chief safety officer, Bernadette held several key positions within MTA, including deputy executive director of safety and risk management, system safety officer, bus/light rail safety officer and light rail supervisor/chief supervisor. Throughout these roles, they demonstrated a commitment to safety by conducting internal audits, developing safety policies, responding to accidents and emergencies, and providing training to safety officers.

Bernadette's other experience includes:

● Federal Transit Administration - Transportation Safety Institute: Associate Staff Instructor, Rail System Safety (April 2002 - Present)
● Tri-State Oversight Committee: Maryland Representative, August 2009 – August 2010
● American Public Transportation Association: Participated in peer reviews and served on various committees focused on rail, commuter rail and bus safety
● WMATA Task Force: Participated in the task force on Track Worker Safety (2009).
● U.S. Department of Transportation/Federal Transit Administration: Appointed to Transit Rail Advisory Committee for Safety in 2010, reappointed for two-year term in 2011, served as chairperson 2012 – 2016

Bernadette is a graduate of APTA Leadership, Class of 2004-2005, and a graduate of ENO (Transportation Foundation) Transit Leadership Executive Development Program, Class of 2007.

Bernadette's career reflects a deep commitment to safety, risk management and compliance, making significant contributions to the safety culture in both the aviation and transit sectors.