Newsletter_Summer 2026_FINAL

6363 N. State HWY 161, Suite 580 | Irving, Texas 75038

Editor:

Crystal Oczkowski 972.890.9800 info@leaelliott.com

Advisor:

Steve Perliss Principal

About Lea+Elliott Lea+Elliott is a transportation consulting firm offering a broad range of planning, engineering, program management, and construction management services for clients worldwide. These services are provided to public transit authorities, airports and private sector owners for new transit systems and the refurbishment of existing systems. We have expertise in all modes of transit, including high-speed and intercity rail, rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail, automated guideway transit, personal rapid transit, and autonomous vehicles. The firm is especially well known for its creative structuring of procurements for a wide range of delivery options that include DBOM and P3.

Meet Mimi Kozuma

Michiyo (Mimi) Kozuma exudes confidence and joy. She is a person whose personality seems to send a smile through the phone when you call her and she most certainly brightens the day of each employee she serves. “ Through the years, Lea+Elliott has offered me various roles within the organization,” she says, “and with each transition, I have gained knowledge and expertise that I probably would not have experienced in other companies.” Mimi was initially hired as an administrative and technical support specialist, then transitioned to the accounting department as a project biller and office manager in the Miami office. “Being part of the accounting team was a great opportunity,” she says. “ I realized how much I enjoy working with Excel.”

In 2020, Mimi was offered a role in the Lea+Elliott Human Resources department. Though she originally had some hesitations, she decided to take on this new opportunity. She notes that she began her HR career just when COVID brought tremendous challenge to corporate America. “There were a lot of curve balls,” she says. Through that tough era, Mimi realized she had to learn fast, stay agile and sort out the most effective ways to manage employee productivity and morale in a workforce that had to shift rapidly from office protocols to remote and virtual corporate models. Today, Mimi finds that managing the HR function for about 120 employees brings new challenges her way every day. “The most interesting part is that there is always something new to learn,” she says. “I also enjoy being able to support and connect with Lea+Elliott employees on a personal level; it is intriguing to learn about people in general.” Mimi’s work involves 401(k) issues, insurance management, ESOP administration, DEI topics, and new team member onboarding, as well as typical and traditional employee relations activities. Most of the Lea+Elliott staff work in the U.S. but are sometimes assigned to international projects, adding additional HR issues that challenge her to perpetually learn and grow. Mimi’s time outside of work is spent with family, “ including my fur babies,” she says, which includes an adopted dog and rescued cats. “I have also been finding entertainment in exploring new places with my mom now that she has retired. We find such a variety of restaurants and cafes,” Mimi adds. “We like to experience them and then come home and try to replicate their recipes. My hobbies and interests are forever changing but I have always found my interests to be related to food. ” Mimi’s parents immigrated from Japan many years ago, so Mimi and her mom and sister now enjoy occasional trips to see family in places like Tokyo, Kyūshū, and Tochigi. “One of my longest volunteer activities was being a teacher’s assistant at a Japanese school in Miami,” she says. “It was extremely rewarding. I have also volunteered at animal shelters and I hope to contribute more.” Living simply, helping others, and finding purpose through meaningful work clearly define Mimi’s rich and vibrant character.

In Motion

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Vol. 33 No 1