Our team consists of knowledgeable professionals with extensive experience in clean transportation systems and project management. We are committed to integrity, innovative and efficient solutions, and meaningful community engagement.
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Management Team
Troy D. Hightower (CEO) founded Monarch EDC in 2022. He is also the CEO of TDH International LLC a transportation based economic and community development firm based in Bakersfield, CA formed in 2016. He has over 30 years’ experience with land use and transportation planning, modeling, renewable energy, and economic development projects in disadvantaged communities. He has been one of the California State University, Bakersfield President's Community Ambassadors for over 8 years.
Mr. Hightower has the equivalent of a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from Marseille Polytechnique University, France. He is fluent in French and has been a licensed pilot for over 45 years. He holds the rank of Lieutenant as a pilot in the US Air Force Civil Air Patrol.
Aida Smith (Secretary) is a project management and business operations leader with over a decade of experience. Her PMP certification is a testament to her proficiency in project management methodologies and best practices. As the Director of Aviation Resources, her leadership was pivotal in shaping operational standards and instilling a culture of continuous improvement. Her expertise in regulatory compliance ensured that practices were established and implemented in alignment with FAA Regulations and the Department of Education. . She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a Master of Science in Aviation Science and is a Certified Project Manager (PMP) through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Jayleene West (Community Impact Advisory) as a dedicated liaison, she is driven by the voices of underserved communities, envisioning their prosperity in a world where no one is burdened by energy or transportation costs. With expertise in renewables and clean transportation, she is dedicated to uniting diverse stakeholders on common ground, fostering inclusive partnerships that tackles barriers to affordable, equitable, and clean energy and transportation.
She is experienced in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, board administration, project management, marketing and events, business development, networking, renewable energy, green hydrogen, clean transportation, V2G, just and equitable transition. Ms. West holds B.S. Environmental Science from Roger Williams University, RI, M.S. Environmental Management |Climate and Energy Concentration, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, and a MBA in Sustainable Solutions and Social Justice, Presidio Graduate School San Francisco, CA.
She is experienced in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, board administration, project management, marketing and events, business development, networking, renewable energy, green hydrogen, clean transportation, V2G, just and equitable transition. Ms. West holds B.S. Environmental Science from Roger Williams University, RI, M.S. Environmental Management |Climate and Energy Concentration, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, and a MBA in Sustainable Solutions and Social Justice, Presidio Graduate School San Francisco, CA.