Rafael Hernandez, Vice President of Tolling Solutions at Kyra Solutions, is a seasoned transportation executive whose track record of managing large-scale toll operations has resulted in processing over 490 million toll transactions and collecting toll revenues exceeding $790 million.
With almost twenty years of experience in electronic transaction processing, revenue collection, cybersecurity, system engineering, project management, change management, and business operations, his expertise in tolling and road usage charging (RUC) is underscored by his significant contributions to major projects such as the implementation of roadside All-Electronic Tolling (AET) systems, tolling Commercial Back-Office Systems (CBOS), toll discount programs, and tolling solar power systems.
Leveraging Kyra Solutions' IntelliManage platform, Rafael helps clients maximize revenue recognition and reduce operating costs while providing excellence in customer service.
Before joining the Kyra Solutions team, Rafael served as the Director of Tolls at Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA), where he modernized the organization's IT infrastructure, rolled out a tolling rebate program to support THEA's Connected Vehicles Project, and spearheaded the creation of a “Tolling Change Management Office” to protect toll revenue streams from unapproved changes in tolling software and/or business rules.
Rafael served as a Board member for the Alliance for Toll Innovation (ATI) and the Alliance for Toll Interoperability (ATI). He also served at the International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association (IBTTA) as the chair of the Council of Platinum Sponsors (CoPS) and co-chaired the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning Subcommittee of the Emerging Technology Committee. The Tampa Bay Business Journal recognized him as a regional leader to watch in the "40-under-40" list. He completed both the IBTTA Leadership Academy and the Tampa Bay Leadership Academy.
Rafael is a graduate of the Program for Digital Transformation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering from the Universidad Rafael Belloso Chacín in Venezuela and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of South Florida (USF).