RLS & Associates, Inc.
Established in 1987, RLS & Associates, Inc. (RLS) is a woman-owned business that provides training, technical assistance, and transportation management and operations consulting services to small, medium, and large public transit systems, federal and state departments of transportation, government agencies, and paratransit operators throughout the United States. With large urban transit system experience followed by several years of experience at major national transit consulting firms, Robbie Sarles moved to Ohio and created a business model dedicated to upholding high standards of honesty, integrity, and professionalism. Now, over thirty-two years since its conception, RLS prides itself on its continuous dedication to those same standards.
The company’s primary work objective is assisting local communities, governmental entities, transportation providers, and human service agencies with transportation-related issues. As a result, RLS has developed a nationally recognized reputation within the transportation industry for responding to clients’ individual needs and offering pragmatic, implementable solutions to the critical issues facing today’s transportation systems. RLS prides itself on products that, rather than “sit on a shelf,” have been developed in such a way as to guide and direct transit leaders for years to come.
Director of State Initiatives
Ms. Schafer has over 22 years of transportation experience and is a certified Community Transit Manager. Ms. Schafer joined RLS after serving as Community Service Division Director and Section 5311 transit system manager for LifeTime Resources in Indiana. Ms. Schafer currently serves as the Wisconsin RTAP Program Manager.
RTAP Program Assistant
Ms. Tennant provides the program administration and oversight for the successful implementation of Wisconsin RTAP. She works hand in hand with Wisconsin RTAP staff to ensure that the program follows the direction and guidance of Wisconsin DOT. Ms. Tennant manages scheduling trainings, issuing training certificates, manages scholarship applications and more!
RTAP Trainer
Ms. Warner currently has twenty-five years' experience in the transit industry and is a Certified Community Transit Manager, Certified Safety and Security Officer, PASS Master Trainer with CTAA, a certified Passenger Assistance Techniques Instructor and a certified Defensive Driving Instructor. She is responsible for the administration and daily operations of the Columbus, Indiana office and the Indiana Rural Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP). Ms. Warner’s expertise is in the safety and security areas of transportation. Ms. Warner will serve as RTAP Trainer for the Wisconsin RTAP Program.
RTAP Trainer
Mr. Troy White has over 12 years of transportation experience and joined RLS & Associates in October, 2021, providing training and technical assistance to the Indiana Department of Transportation through the Indiana Rural Assistance Program. Mr. White is a certified instructor in Passenger Assistance Techniques, Emergency Evacuation Procedures, along with numerous other training. Mr. White is also the recipient of the Master Driver Award.