Smart Growth America is pleased to welcome three new members to its Board of Directors: Allentown, Pennsylvania Mayor Matt Tuerk, STV Vice President Keith Benjamin, and former Lincoln Institute of Land Policy President and CEO George W. “Mac” McCarthy.

Together, they bring decades of experience in local government, federal transportation policy, economic development, housing, and land use, along with the expertise and relationships to help SGA expand its reach across the country.

“The decisions we make about transportation, housing, and development shape how people live their lives, and Mayor Tuerk, Keith, and Mac have dedicated their careers to creating places where everyone can thrive,” said Beth Osborne, President and CEO of Smart Growth America. “I'm thrilled to have them on our Board. They know how to turn good ideas into real changes in communities. They'll be tremendous partners as we bring smart growth to more places and help more leaders fight for change and get results.”

The three join SGA's Board under the leadership of Chair Camille Manning-Broome, President and CEO of the Center for Planning Excellence, and Vice Chair Sam Diaz, Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Oregon.

About the new Board members

Randall “Keith” Benjamin II | Vice President and National Cities Initiative Leader, STV

“Housing, transportation and economic opportunity are too often treated as separate issues, but people experience them as one: in the commute, the rent check and the distance to a good job,” said Keith Benjamin, vice president and national cities initiative leader at STV. “SGA understands that connection. I’m eager to help translate that understanding into practical, community-driven solutions that reflect local priorities and connect people to jobs, opportunities and each other.”

Keith Benjamin is Vice President and National Cities Initiative Leader at STV, where he partners with public and private sector clients nationwide to develop and implement holistic strategies that advance infrastructure, transportation, and organizational resilience at the municipal and regional levels.

Benjamin previously served in the Biden Administration as a Presidential appointee and Associate Administrator for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) at the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), where he received the Department’s highest honor, the USDOT Gold Medal. He led FHWA’s implementation strategy for the $350 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, launched a new agency-wide strategic plan, and strengthened bilateral partnerships across Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Prior to his federal appointment, Benjamin served as Director of Traffic and Transportation for the City of Charleston, South Carolina, and served on the Charleston Regional Aviation Authority Board, the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) Board, and the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments’ Executive Committee. He received a joint resolution for outstanding service from the South Carolina Senate and House of Representatives. He also served in the Obama Administration, overseeing the initial formation of the Transportation Equity Caucus, represented 155,000 workers with the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), and served as Community Partnerships Manager for the Safe Routes to School National Partnership.

A recognized connector and strategic advisor, Benjamin has been selected as a fellow of the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL), the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) Leadership Program, Next City Vanguard, the Riley Institute’s Diversity Leaders Initiative, and the Eno Transportation Senior Executive Program.

Benjamin is a graduate of Swarthmore College and lives in Washington, DC with his wife and son.

George “Mac” McCarthy | Former President and CEO, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

“Where people can afford to live and how they get around have an enormous impact on their access to jobs, education, and opportunity,” said Mac McCarthy. “Smart Growth America helps leaders understand how their decisions about housing, transportation, and land use shape those opportunities, and what they can do to improve them. I'm excited to join the Board and help bring that work to more communities across the country.”

Dr. George “Mac” McCarthy was president and CEO of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in Cambridge, Massachusetts from 2014 – 2026. Since arriving at the Lincoln Institute in 2014, he grew the organization from 38 to 165 full-time employees. His work to expand the organization’s relevance and impact is evidenced by numerous achievements, including establishing a partnership with Claremont Lincoln University, developing state-of-the-art technology that tells parcel-level stories of land use with unprecedented detail, and growing the Lincoln Institute’s presence on a global scale through its work in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Before joining the Lincoln Institute, Mac directed Metropolitan Opportunity at the Ford Foundation, which sought to provide disadvantaged people better access to good jobs and other opportunities for advancement by supporting regional planning that integrates housing and public transit development. Mac also administered a program at Ford that focused on using homeownership to build assets for low-income families and their communities.

Prior to that, Mac worked as a senior research associate at the Center for Urban and Regional Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has also worked as professor of economics at Bard College, resident scholar at the Jerome Levy Economics Institute, visiting scholar and member of the High Table at King’s College of Cambridge University, visiting scholar at the University of Naples, Italy, and research associate at the Centre for Social Research in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Mac received a BA in economics and mathematics at the University of Montana; an MA in economics at Duke University; and a PhD in economics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Mayor Matt Tuerk | Mayor of Allentown, Pennsylvania

“Allentown's growth and future are closely tied to how we plan, invest, and create opportunities for our residents. Smart growth means building stronger neighborhoods, supporting economic opportunity, and making thoughtful decisions that serve our community for generations to come," said Mayor Matt Tuerk. "I'm honored to bring Allentown's perspective to Smart Growth America's Board of Directors and collaborate with leaders working toward stronger, more connected communities nationwide.”

Mayor Matt Tuerk is in his second term as Mayor of Allentown after taking office in January 2022. As the first Latino mayor in the history of the city, Mayor Tuerk brings more than 12 years of experience in economic development at the city and regional levels. Throughout his career, he has worked to attract investment, support local businesses, and create economic opportunities throughout the Lehigh Valley.

As Mayor, he has prioritized safe streets, inclusive economic growth for residents, and community engagement. He is a Pennsylvania native and a proud graduate of the College of Charleston and of the University of South Carolina. In addition to his work as Mayor, Matt loves distance running, learning languages, and spending time with his family.

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