Hilda Mercedes

Compliance  Management Consultant

Hi, and welcome to Mercedes Consulting.

My name is Hilda Mercedes, and I am a compliance management consultant with more than 15 years of experience in compliance. I help public agencies and transportation organizations navigate federal requirements, strengthen their programs, and improve organizational performance.

As a proud U.S. Army veteran and former Civil Rights Administrator for several public transportation agencies, I bring a practical, hands-on approach to compliance, project management, program development, and strategic planning. I have extensive knowledge of U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements, including applicable federal regulations under 14 CFR and 49 CFR, FTA circulars, and federal grant requirements.

My experience includes working with transit agencies, public-sector organizations, and other entities on a wide range of compliance and management initiatives, including:

• FTA compliance and oversight, including Triennial Reviews, Comprehensive Reviews, corrective action plans, and follow-up activities
• Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASP) and safety program compliance
• Drug and Alcohol Program compliance
• FTA grant management and grant administration
• FTA procurement compliance, including federal clauses, third-party contracting, procurement procedures, and documentation
• Civil Rights compliance, including Title VI, ADA, DBE, and related USDOT requirements
• Title VI Program development, updates, monitoring, and implementation
• Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) programs, including methodologies, procedures, monitoring, and compliance
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and program development
• Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and Language Assistance Plans
• Equal opportunity and civil rights program administration
• Subrecipient monitoring and oversight
• Federal grant and award management
• Procurement and contracting compliance
• Preventive maintenance and transit asset management compliance
• NTD reporting and related transit program requirements
• Policy and procedure development
• Compliance reviews, internal assessments, and gap analyses
• Corrective action development and closeout
• Audit and review preparation and follow-up
• Technical assistance and staff training
• Project management and implementation support
• Organizational assessments and process improvement
• Strategic planning and development of practical solutions to organizational challenges

I currently serve as a reviewer for the FTA Triennial Comprehensive Oversight Review Technical Assistance Program, providing me with continued exposure to federal oversight requirements and the compliance challenges faced by transit agencies across the country.

At Mercedes Consulting, I believe compliance should be more than simply checking a box. Effective compliance creates stronger organizations, reduces risk, improves accountability, and supports better service to the communities we serve.

My approach is simple: understand the organization, identify the challenge, find the solution, and help implement it. I work closely with clients to understand their operations, analyze information and documentation, identify gaps, develop practical recommendations, and support implementation.

Whether you need help preparing for an FTA review, developing or updating a compliance program, addressing an audit finding, improving policies and procedures, managing a project, or simply need an experienced professional to help navigate a complex federal requirement, Mercedes Consulting is here to help.

Compliance. Strategy. Solutions. Results.