Every year, The Rays the Mark Foundation reviews the careers and lives of individuals who have dedicated themselves to serving the greater good. Our Annual Honoree is selected based on a spectrum of criteria, ranging from personal adversity and professional accomplishments to charitable contributions, community involvement, and many other factors.
2024: Walter Gant
A public transportation industry veteran for four and a half decades, Walter Gant started his transit career working as a planning and procurement specialist for the City of New Orleans Office of Transit Administration (OTA). When the private transit operation in New Orleans transitioned in 1979 to a public operation, the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) was formed, and Walter worked there in planning and procurement.
With a strong desire to become an entrepreneur, Walter left his position with the RTA in the early 1980s to start his own business, WG Enterprises, LLC. Initially, he formed a partnership with Sutrak, a manufacturing company that specializes in HVAC systems for transit vehicles applications. Because of Walter’s strong network that he had developed within the transit industry, he was quite successful in marketing Sutrak’s HVAC system to transit organizations across the US.
A few years later, Walter developed a partnership relationship with USSC, which then focused on transit seating for passengers and drivers and has since expanded its product lines in the areas of safety and survivability. As a certified disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) owner, Walter has continued to maintain his working relationships with these companies to date, leveraging his vast connections within the industry.
Prior to his career in public transit, Walter attained his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, MS, and a Master’s degree in City Planning from Howard University, Washington, DC.
Married to his wonderful wife, Zola, for 39 years, they have reared five children and now have three grandchildren. Walter is proud of the fact that each of his children has college degrees and great careers.
While Walter and Zola have lived a wonderful life, during the past few years it has been a struggle for them as both are suffering from major illnesses. Walter has kidney disease, having undergone a kidney transplant four years ago. That kidney is now failing, and he is looking to replace it. However, the prognosis is that he may not be able to do so because of complicating medical factors. His wife Zola has been suffering from arthritis, which has had a debilitating impact on her.
In April 2023 Walter and Zola experienced a major fire in their home in Denver, requiring them to move into temporary housing until their home is restored. To date, unfortunately, they are still not back in their home.
Despite their situation, they are still a strong and positive-thinking couple who continue to support those less fortunate within their community. Walter has mentored numerous individuals within the transit industry throughout his career and has given back to those who needed assistance. And he has been a strong supporter of the Conference of Minority of Transportation Officials (COMTO) since he started his career.
2023: Lauren Cochran Scoville
Lauren Cochran Scoville has had an impressive career centered on transit innovation across roles at public transit agencies, strategic research firms, and technology manufacturing companies like Proterra. During her tenure at Foothill Transit, Lauren co-led the implementation of 100% battery-electric heavy-duty city buses, the first commercial deployment of modern, purpose-built electric transit buses in North America. During her time as a researcher at the Texas Transportation Institute, she partnered with the Texas DOT to launch the first automated and connected vehicle proving ground transportation for public transit.
In 2015, she was recruited by Houston METRO and experienced leading mass transit operations in one of the largest and most complex urban regions in North America. In her role as Director, Lauren oversaw METRO’s contracted operations, and then moved into the Director of Innovation role, a natural fit given her track record with new technology research and implementation. As Director, she led the agency’s Office of Innovation, and she was honored by METRO during Women’s History Month for her transit service. Since 2017 Lauren has worked at Proterra where she now serves as the Vice President of Sales for Proterra Transit, helping transit agencies throughout North America make the transition to zero-emission vehicle technology.
Just this year, Sonny was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a progressive neurological disease where the nerve cells that connect your brain to your muscles (motor neurons) lose function and die resulting in progressive weakness. The diagnosis was a shock to Sonny and his family, but in true Sonny fashion, he has approached this battle with relentless drive and positivity to fight this battle as hard as he could.
Lauren was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2022 and is currently undergoing treatment at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. She is going through chemotherapy, surgery, and potentially radiation, which not only has a physical impact but also has a financial impact. Despite these challenges, Lauren has had an incredible attitude, remaining committed to advancing public transit and bringing ZEB technology to our communities, and being a continuous source of inspiration and positive energy for the entire Proterra team. People who work with Lauren know her as a radiant, smart, positive person with contagious energy and a true passion for buses. I cannot think of a better person to honor with support from Rays the Mark Foundation.
2022: Sonny Gordon
The Rays the Mark Foundation embraces people who have had a positive impact on society, who through their kindness, passion, and purposefulness, ‘raise the mark’ and make the world a more powerful place.
The foundation is committed to honoring those that have honored the world when they need it the most.
The 2022 Rays the Mark Foundation honoree is Sonny Gordon. Sonny is a natural-born leader, leading by example through dedication, and with respect and gratitude always on display.
At an early age, Sonny began leading a life of excellence, earning himself a defensive back position with the Ohio State University (OSU) Buckeyes from 1983 - 1986. As a natural born leader, it was no surprise that during his senior year, Sonny rose to become the team Captain leading the Buckeyes to the Cotton Bowl championship.
Following his time at OSU, Sonny was drafted to the NFL by the Cincinnati Bengals and went on to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sonny rounded out his career on the field in the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Just this year, Sonny was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a progressive neurological disease where the nerve cells that connect your brain to your muscles (motor neurons) lose function and die resulting in progressive weakness. The diagnosis was a shock to Sonny and his family, but in true Sonny fashion, he has approached this battle with relentless drive and positivity to fight this battle as hard as he could.
Sonny has without doubt always been there for us, and now it is our time to show up and be there for him and his family. These funds will help support the Gordon family as they continue their battle with ALS.
Do you know someone who deserves consideration for selection among the 2023 Rays the Mark Foundation Honorees? Click here and let us know more about them, what sets their efforts apart, and the best way for one of our board members to get in touch.
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