METRO NEWS
For More Information Contact:
Ted Burton, Public Relations Manager 389-7550
Web
site: www.capmetro.org
Capital Metro has hired Fred Gilliam, a
nationally respected transit expert, as the agency’s new Chief Operating
Officer. Mr. Gilliam will also serve
as Deputy General Manager. “You won’t
find a more experienced C.O.O. in the country,” said General Manager Karen
Rae. “Fred strengthens our core team,
bringing 38 years of management experience in private and public bus operations
to Capital Metro. “
Gilliam replaces former Chief Operating
Officer and StarTran, Inc. President Gerald Robichaux, who left in June to
become general manager of Westside Transit in his hometown of New Orleans. “We knew Gerald would be tough to replace,”
said Rae. “But Fred’s experience and
reputation will enhance our executive management team. He’s one of the best in the industry.”
Gilliam is currently Executive Vice
President of Chance Coach Inc., a bus and trolley manufacturer in Wichita,
Kansas. Prior to working at Chance
Coach, Gilliam served as Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer for
Houston’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO). At Houston’s METRO, Mr. Gilliam managed a transit system with a
capital and operating budget of more than $600 million and 4,000
employees. In comparison, Capital
Metro’s new capital and operating budget is $125 million with just over 1,000
employees.
“Fred has run one of the largest bus
operations in the country,” said Capital Metro Board Chair Lee Walker. “Clearly we are pleased that our General
Manager is rebuilding a team with such a proven and respected C.O.O. Because of Fred’s experience in the public
and private sector, we believe he has the vision to help us continue the
momentum we’ve built in the last four years.”
“I believe Capital Metro has the potential
of becoming the best transit system in the country,” said Gilliam. “Even with nearly 40 years in the business,
this has to be one of the most exciting opportunities of my career. I look forward to working with Karen Rae,
staff, and the union, to accomplish the ambitious goals established by the
General Manager and the Board of Directors.”
Mr. Gilliam will oversee Capital Metro’s
bus operations as the agency begins an ambitious Five Year Bus Service
Plan. The Five Year Plan will
ultimately increase service levels by 20-percent. “Fred is known nationwide as a mentor and teacher. He’ll be able to cultivate the talent of our
promising mid-level managers as we take this organization to new heights,” said
Rae.
Jay Wyatt, President and Business Agent
for the local ATU, says he “looks forward to working with Mr. Gilliam” after
talking to union leaders in Houston.
ATU Local 1091 is the union representing bus operators and
mechanics.
Capital Metro hired Litchfield &
Willis, Inc., an executive search firm, who specialize in the transportation
industry to conduct a search of national scope. The firm evaluated the credentials of all applicants, ultimately
recommending Mr. Gilliam for the position.
Following thorough interviews with executive staff and members of the
board, Mr. Gilliam was hired as C.O.O and Deputy General Manager and will start
October 1, 2001, at a salary of $106,500.
Along with serving at Chance Coach and
Houston’s METRO, Mr. Gilliam’s prior experience includes:
·
President/General
Manager/CEO of the Memphis Area Transit Authority
·
Senior Vice
President and a Senior Management Executive for bus/rail operations in sixteen
states operating over 2000 vehicles at ATE Management and Service Co., Inc.
(currently First Transit)
·
The first
General Manager of the newly created Regional Transit Authority (RTA) in New
Orleans
·
Assistant
Resident Manager of the Regional Transit District in Denver, Colorado
·
Operations
Manager and Executive Director of the Metropolitan Tulsa Transit Authority
(MTTA) in Tulsa, Oklahoma
