John Bender

John Bender is a seasoned professional in facilities development and urban planning, currently serving as the Director of Stations and Facilities Development at Amtrak since 2009. Overseeing a department of 14 staff members across the United States, Bender has led significant initiatives, including a multi-million-dollar brand modernization program and the management of passenger station development activities across a 13-state territory with over 140 locations. Bender's experience also includes serving as a Senior Manager, Facilities Development, where the focus was on station and facilities signage programs. Prior to Amtrak, Bender held roles at Jacobs Engineering and AECOM as a Transit Planner, and at MK Centennial Engineering as a Transportation Planner. Academic qualifications include a Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Tech, a Graduate Certificate in Real Estate Investment and Development from Harvard Extension School, and a BA in Geography from George Mason University.