Our Company

With offices in Houston and Austin, TGC is deeply connected to and extensively familiar with planning and carrying out projects in all parts of the Lone Star State. But with superior experience and knowledge, clients from all across the US have sought us out to be a part of their projects as well.

Our Line-up of Experience

Barry M. Goodman – Founder and President

Barry Goodman is the founder and President of TGC. Since 1980, TGC has been assisting its clients to plan, fund, and implement mobility projects. Prior to founding TGC, Mr. Goodman served as Senior Legal Counsel for the Urban Mass Transportation Administration in Washington, D.C., and Executive Director for Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) in Houston, Texas.

Mr. Goodman has led innovative policy-setting efforts to create transportation development corporations and has led the effort to establish a dedicated state funding source for transit in Texas. Mr. Goodman’s innovative funding arrangements have played a critical role in the successful implementation of projects such as the Galveston Island Rail Trolley system, The Woodlands Town Center Pedestrian/Transit Corridor, and the El Paso Union Plaza Redevelopment Program. Mr. Goodman has successfully managed transit improvement programs throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, California, and many other communities in the U.S.

Mr. Goodman is a University of Southern California law graduate and is registered with the State of California Bar, the District of Columbia Bar, and the Supreme Court.  He is also a member of the Transportation Research Board, the National Academy of Arts and Sciences Board, Houston Tomorrow, the Texas Transit Association, and the American Public Transit Association.

John D. Carrara, Jr. – Senior Vice President

John Carrara, is Senior Vice President and joined the company in 1983 and has over 20 years’ experience in the management and production all major aspects of feasibility and advanced planning for transportation improvement projects, transit service planning, major transportation improvement investment studies, environmental assessments, and project management and monitoring. With a background in Civil Engineering, Mr. Carrara worked at BRH Mobility Services and the Rice Center for Community Design & Research in Houston for 10 years prior to joining TGC.

Carl P. Sharpe, A.I.C.P. – Vice President, Planning and Urban Design

Carl Sharpe is Vice President, Planning and Urban Design. Trained as an architect and in city planning at the University of California at Berkley and the University of Pennsylvania, Mr. Sharpe focuses on the relationship between transit and the built environment and how smart urban design can support and enhance transit ridership. Prior to joining TGC, Mr. Sharpe served as President of the Center for Community Design & Research at Rice University in Houston.

Lynn Spencer – Vice President of Government Affairs and Business Development

Lynn Spencer is Vice President of Government Affairs and Business Development. Ms. Spencer joined TGC in 2008, where her responsibilities include acting as a governmental liaison representing TGC clients within all levels of government – local, regional, state, and federal. As a Congressional and State Legislative liaison, Ms. Spencer works with elected representatives and their staff to build awareness and support for TGC client transportation priorities.

Ms. Spencer works with prospective clients to identify opportunities to leverage and attract funding to their projects and programs. Ms. Spencer is frequently a guest speaker at professional conferences, including City Manager’s and Economic Development, to educate community leaders on federal and state funding to leverage their transportation and economic revitalization projects. Ms. Spencer has over 18 years of experience in transit, transportation policy and government affairs. Her career experience includes serving as the manager of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) at the Houston-Galveston Area Council and as a planner at the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO).