From the Heart of Texas to the Helm of IBTTA: James Hofmann’s Vision for a Bold, New Future
Welcome to 2025—a transformative year for IBTTA!
With a new CEO, a visionary five-year plan, and the leadership of incoming President James Hofmann, Executive Director/CEO of NTTA, we’re ready to "Design a Bold, New Future."
James brings over 20 years of innovation and leadership at NTTA and a deep connection to IBTTA through his Board service. He’s excited to guide us as we tackle advances in mobility, rethink infrastructure financing, and embrace new business innovations.
James was recently featured in Transportation Publishing’s 2024 Annual U.S. Department of Transportation feature. Below is a preview and you can read more at https://transportationannual.com/2024/ on page 62!
In your own words, can you explain the work of IBTTA?
Hofmann: At its core, IBTTA is the global voice of the tolling industry, uniting operators, private sector partners, and policymakers to tackle the most pressing transportation challenges. We serve as conveners by facilitating information exchanges through conferences, webinars, and working groups; advocates for tolling and user-fee financing as essential infrastructure funding tools; and a resource by offering data-driven insights through tools like TollMiner™ and RevFinder™ to inform decision making. Beyond these functions, IBTTA fosters a strong sense of community, creating spaces where relationships are built, ideas are exchanged, and challenges are solved collectively. This culture of collaboration is what makes IBTTA unique and keeps the industry moving forward.
What are the challenges and opportunities that IBTTA is focused on?
Hofmann: The transportation industry is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in decades, driven by evolving mobility trends and technological advancements. IBTTA is focused on navigating these changes, with all-electronic tolling at the forefront, which improves efficiency but presents challenges in revenue assurance and collection. The rise of connected and autonomous vehicles is also reshaping infrastructure needs, while a challenging political climate sees some regions over-relying on federal funding and resisting tolling as a sustainable solution. At the same time, advancements in tolling technology, data analytics, and road usage charging (RUC) present opportunities to modernize infrastructure, improve service delivery, and sustain viable user revenue streams. Electronic toll interoperability is still a critical need to ensure seamless travel and toll collection nationwide. I am committed to interoperability as a top priority that will progress into widescale implementation in 2025. Looking ahead, IBTTA’s five-year plan will address these challenges, driving industry innovation while advocating for the essential role of tolling and user-fee financing in sustainable infrastructure investment.
What was your path to becoming president of IBTTA?
Hofmann: It’s been a rewarding journey with IBTTA over the past two decades, during which I’ve held various roles, including leading the National Interoperability (NIOP) Working Groups and Emerging Technologies Commitee. This eventually led to my six-year tenure on the Board of Directors, and my service on the Executive Commitee as Second Vice President, First Vice President, and then 2025 President. IBTTA has strong leaders among its members, so I consider my selection for these roles as an honor and a distinction to serve that I do not take lightly. IBTTA is a place where the more you give, the more you get back, with opportunities to make an impact for anyone willing to engage, learn, and contribute meaningfully. My aim in my year as President is to position IBTTA for a bright future for many years to come by leaving my successors with a strong and capable association.
What is a recent accomplishment you'd like to highlight?
Hofmann: I’m incredibly proud of the NTTA team and our commitment to excellence. One of our standout achievements has been the successful implementation of a new back-office toll system, which has transformed our operations. Additionally, we’ve saved over one billion dollars in future interest payments through strategic refinancing, and our roadway maintenance remains exemplary. We consistently receive high customer service ratings, both in our call centers and from customers who receive assistance on the road. These accomplishments highlight why NTTA is regarded as one of the top toll agencies globally. IBTTA has been crucial in supporting NTTA’s mission by connecting us with the best practices and leaders in the tolling industry. Through IBTTA, we engage with top operators, share innovations, and strategies, and ensure we hold ourselves to the highest standards. This collaborative environment is key to our continued success.
What would you tell potential members about the benefits of joining IBTTA?
Hofmann: IBTTA’s strength lies in the active participation of its members, whose collective experience helps the association better serve the public who rely on toll roads. Membership opens the door to valuable relationships and knowledge that grow over time. In 2025, IBTTA will host six meetings, support over 20 member committees, and represent members in more than 20 countries, providing unparalleled access to industry leaders and best practices. Participation in these meetings, webinars, and committees fosters in-depth knowledge sharing and collaboration, bringing together public and private sector voices to drive meaningful impact.