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TRC’s Taylor Weideling Honored by Smart Business Magazine

EAST LIBERTY, OH - Taylor Weideling, Executive Director of Services at Transportation Research Center Inc., has been recognized by Smart Business magazine as a 2026 Columbus Smart 50 Awards honoree. The award celebrates top executives from central Ohio's smartest companies for their ability to effectively build and lead successful organizations.

“This recognition is meaningful because it highlights work that often happens behind the scenes but has a direct impact on the future of transportation,” said Weideling. “At TRC, our teams help emerging technologies prove themselves under real-world conditions before they reach the public. I’m proud to support the engineers, test drivers and technical specialists who bring that rigor, creativity and commitment to every program.”

As Executive Director of Services, Weideling oversees TRC's Advanced Mobility, Road Performance Evaluation and Technical Services divisions. She leads 327 team members and manages an annual budget of about $50 million, while guiding operational performance, strategic growth, workforce development, client engagement and internal process improvement.

Weideling joined TRC in 2011 as a research engineer at the Vehicle Research and Test Center, where she specialized in advanced technology programs, advanced driver-assist systems and automated vehicle testing. She later became business development manager and Director of Advanced Mobility before being named Executive Director, Services in 2023.

TRC is North America's most advanced independent mobility testing service provider. The organization's clients include the world's leading transportation companies, government agencies, trade associations and educational institutions, which come to TRC to test, validate and refine advanced technologies in secure, controlled and repeatable real-world environments.

In the past year, Weideling played an important role in negotiating TRC’s agreement to operate and support a key client’s Arizona proving ground, along with TRC's new Urban Expansion course, strengthening the organization's ability to support advanced and autonomous mobility testing. She also led critical phases of two federally funded research programs totaling more than $17 million, ensuring performance metrics were met and deliverables were completed on schedule.

Weideling has strengthened TRC's operations by supporting new systems for client relationship management, time tracking and secure data transfer. Her leadership has contributed to stronger workflows across TRC service areas, as well as improved client satisfaction, employee retention and collaboration.

That impact is especially important as TRC supports clients developing automated driving systems, connected vehicle technologies, advanced driver-assistance systems and smart roadway systems. Her leadership across Advanced Mobility, Road Performance Evaluation and Technical Services helps connect TRC's advanced facilities and technical expertise with the rapidly changing needs of industry clients.

“Taylor brings a rare combination of technical credibility, operational focus and steady leadership to some of TRC's most important growth areas,” said Brett Roubinek, TRC president and CEO and a 2023 Smart 50 Awards honoree. “From advanced mobility services to road-performance evaluation and technical services, she helps translate complex client challenges into safe, reliable testing solutions. This recognition is a fitting acknowledgment of her impact on TRC, our clients and Ohio's leadership in transportation innovation.”