12/12/2025
Retirement Farewell to Mark E. Kirstner, AICP!
After 17 remarkable years with PART, our Director of Planning, Mark E. Kirstner, AICP, retires today 12.12.2025! With over 40 years of dedicated service in the Triad region, Mark has truly been a cornerstone in our organization. His departure might be bittersweet, but he retires leaving PART with so many wonderful memories. In the spirit of a true ‘Planner’, Mark has established a solid foundation for his staff to move forward.
During his tenure at PART, Mark has tirelessly advocated for enhanced mobility systems and services for the citizens of the Piedmont Triad. He has represented us with finesse, collaborating with our member agencies to ensure our region’s planning vision becomes a reality. Mark is an integral part of the team, and his absence will undoubtedly leave a big void.
When discussing Mark’s upcoming retirement, Scott Rhine reflected, “Mark’s contributions have transformed our approach to transportation planning, and his legacy will be remembered for years to come.” Staff, across the board, commented that they will miss Mark’s sharp wit and innate ability to engage everyone around him. It is obvious his leadership and motivational spirit have set the bar high and in conversations with his staff and co-workers, there was a common thread, they will miss his thoughtful words of encouragement, his knack for sparking ideas and his ability to make work a little lighter and a lot more fun.
As we prepare to say goodbye to Mark, we plan to celebrate the fantastic journey we’ve had together—it certainly won’t be the same without him! Cheers to your next adventure, Mark!