We are thrilled to welcome Jarred Johnson as our new Boston Office Director. Jarred will work closely with Jason DeGray, who has stepped into the role of Director of Operations, Northeast. With a strong background in transit advocacy, affordable housing, and community engagement, Jarred brings a dynamic perspective to our work. We sat down with him to talk about his career journey, his transition to consulting, and his vision for the Boston team.
Tell us about your background and what led you to Toole Design.
I first got interested in transportation on a school trip to Bethesda, MD. I saw sidewalk cafes and lots of people on the street, and I wondered why there was so much more street life in this suburb compared to my hometown of Oklahoma City. I later learned it was the Metro, along with some placemaking elements, that made all the difference. That motivated me to ask: How do we create more places that people really love?
Before joining Toole Design, I was the Executive Director of TransitMatters, a nonprofit focused on transit advocacy, policy, and data analysis in the Boston region. While I’ve loved working in advocacy, I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute from the consulting side — helping to shape transportation projects from within and ensuring community voices are reflected in the process.
What excites you most about leading the Boston office?
In the Boston region, Toole Design is known as a scrappy, respected firm that’s not afraid to think outside the box. I was familiar with the company from the Boston Complete Streets Guide and the Inman Square transformation. I’m excited to be part of a team that has a solid reputation for doing their homework, generating bold ideas, and genuinely caring about all road users.
When I was considering this role, I attended an event with the Boston team and was so impressed by the creativity and commitment of the folks here. I’m looking forward to working with this talented group to tackle big transportation challenges and build a more sustainable, connected region.
Are there any projects you’re particularly excited about?
Definitely. Columbia Road is a big one. It’s an opportunity to rethink a key corridor and bring better multimodal connections to Boston communities. I’m also looking forward to the Southwest Boston Transportation Action Plan, which is addressing critical commuter rail connections and suburban transit needs. Additionally, I’m excited about the upcoming update to the Boston Complete Streets Guide, as well as a long-range planning project for the T.
You have a strong background in advocacy. How does that inform your work at Toole Design?
As an advocate, my focus was on bringing community voices into decision-making and holding agencies accountable. Now, as a consultant, I get to help implement those ideas, navigating the complexities of turning advocacy goals into real-world projects.
I don’t have a formal planning background. Everything I’ve learned about planning has come from getting involved in actual projects, reading approachable materials, and talking with residents in ways we can all understand. I think that gives me a unique perspective in this field and helps me communicate with lots of different people and communities.
What’s something about you we wouldn’t find on LinkedIn?
I’m a huge roller coaster enthusiast! I’ve ridden over 260 different roller coasters around the world. If you show me a photo of a random roller coaster, I can probably tell you exactly which one it is.
What’s your favorite way to get around Boston?
I primarily use transit and Bluebikes, especially the new e-bikes, which have been a game-changer. Boston’s transit network is great, but for certain cross-town trips, hopping on an e-bike makes the trip more efficient — and more fun.
