TriMet

Interim Manager, Bus Operations Training

“I never dreamt about being a bus driver when grew I up. However, after working dead-end manufacturing jobs, I found myself in a career as a bus operator that was extremely stabilizing and simultaneously fulfilling. After five years driving, I was able to buy a house in the Portland area, and had amassed 100k in my retirement account. The best part has been the professional development I have received for an upward trajectory within the agency. TriMet has provided me with a plethora of skills training as well as tuition assistance to support my career path wherever I would like to go. I have promoted from Bus Operator to Training Supervisor to Assistant Manager, Bus Operations to my current role as Manager of Bus Operations Training. TriMet has provided a stability and opportunity I never could have imagined. I am truly happy with my career, and love working for public transit, which provides such an amazing public service to everyone.”

Senior Director, Operations Command Center

“I started my career at TriMet as a bus operator at the age of 22, and I've had the opportunity to grow and develop in various roles over the years. From being a supervisor and assistant manager to eventually serving as a Transportation Manager, I've gained experience in many areas of our operations. One of my proudest achievements was helping to improve how we handle customer feedback by creating the Service Improvement Process Team, which made it easier for us to respond to customer needs. Now, as the Interim Director of the Operations Command Center and Rail Transportation, I focus on supporting our teams and providing great service to our internal and external customers. It's incredibly rewarding work that I am proud to contribute to. I've also had the privilege of founding the Leaders Empowering Advocacy & Diversity (LEAD) group, which promotes opportunities for women and people of color in leadership at TriMet. I'm passionate about supporting others in their career journeys, just as I've been supported throughout mine.”

Assistant Manager, Bus Operations Training

“I started at TriMet when I was 21 years old. Truth be told, I didn’t think they would hire me as a bus operator because I was so young. I applied because my mother, who had been working at TriMet for eight years, kept pestering me to apply. I was shocked when they invited me for an interview and even more shocked when they gave me a start date. At that time in my life, I was working full-time, Nanning on the side, going to school part-time, and just barely making it financially. This was during a time when not all jobs offered health care, and we didn’t have OHP. I remember being nervous but excited about what TriMet could offer me: the highest hourly wage I could ever imagine within three years, health care, retirement, and paid vacation. After being an operator for 14 years I wanted to train people and provide them with the same opportunity that TriMet had given me. I’ve held several different roles at TriMet: Bus Operator, Bus Training Supervisor, Senior Administrative Assistant for Rail Equipment Maintenance, Executive Administrative Assistant for the Maintenance Division, and now, my current role as one of the Managers in Bus Training Operations. Each role gave me a deeper understanding of the agency and allowed me to see how all the parts come together to make our transit system so great. The exposure to different roles and departments has been a huge advantage, and I am incredibly grateful for it. To me, TriMet is family and provides opportunities for everyone. My "why" is to be of service, and for me, training is where it all started. Showing people how important their work is and encouraging them to take pride in what they do translates into how we serve the public and provide excellent service to our communities. I did not have a plan when I started 17 years ago, but TriMet had everything available to help me, and anyone who comes here, succeed. TriMet is not just a job; it is a career. See where a career in transit can take you.”

Director, Mobility Planning & Policy

“I came to TriMet after living in San Francisco, CA at age 29 in 1999. I started as a Planner II in the Service Planning Department. I had just completed a Masters in Urban Planning program at San Jose State University. However, my graduate program didn’t really teach me much about how transit works in the real world. I had to learn on the job, which meant asking a lot of questions and building relationships with people who would become my mentors. Over time, as I learned more about transit and built my confidence and skill set, I was given more opportunities to take on substantive work. This work included supervising individual bus route changes, managing public processes, and developing long-range plans. In 2018, I was given the opportunity to become a manager, and in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I became the department director. I now work with a team of twelve outstanding employees. As the director, I empower my team to pursue solutions to problems for themselves. I try to act more as a coach and mentor than a boss. My team has responded very well to this form of management, resulting in high performance throughout the department. I believe strongly in TriMet’s mission and appreciate the passion and dedication that my colleagues have for our transit system and community.”

Director, Facilities Maintenance

“I began my career at TriMet in 2003 as a Helper, the position currently known as Service Worker. I felt TriMet gave me the stability and growth potential that I was searching for at the time, and I was right. After spending a few years as a Helper, I was able to enter the Bus Maintenance training program where I was able to learn a new trade. After graduating the program and spending some time working on buses, I made the decision that I wanted to move into a leadership role. The next logical step for me was applying for an Assistant Supervisor role. I wasn’t successful my first time around but that just pushed me harder to learn the skills needed to be considered for advancement. I spent the next year working with TriMet leaders and taking all the classes I could. My hard work paid off as I was selected when the next opening was available. From there, I moved into a supervisor position currently known as an Assistant Manager. I spent time on swing shift and day shift, working at all three bus maintenance shops. This allowed me to discover what I liked and didn’t like about how different shifts and shops operate. I used the knowledge I gained to build my management philosophy which led to my next role as Garage Manager, both at Merlo and Center garages. During this time, I was asked to be Interim Director of Bus Maintenance on two different occasions. I really enjoyed being able to influence the department as a whole and this drove me to want to advance even higher. In 2022, I was asked to step in as Interim Director of Facilities Management, an area I was not familiar with at all. I fell in love with challenge of learning another new trade and doing what I could to help out my new department. I competed for and was selected to be the new Director of Facilities Management in late 2023. I am currently loving my new role and I look forward to what is going to come next.”

Trainer, Senior, REM, Transit Training & Development: Rail Maintenance

“I began working at TriMet in June of 2014 as an entry level service worker performing janitorial duties, interior bus cleaner, and cleaning and parking buses in the Powell garage for 20 months before applying for an apprenticeship program. I was accepted into the LRV apprentice program and began learning how to become a technician working on trains. I couldn’t believe that the company was paying me to go to school to increase my skills and teach me a job that would increase my value to the organization. I graduated the program after 2 years, 8 months and began working on the shop floor performing preventive maintenance inspections, repairing defects, and troubleshooting vehicles with a team of amazing mechanics. Two years ago I applied to become a Training Assistant and was accepted into the program to help train a new generation of Trainees. I was teaching them the same skills I learned when I was first accepted to the apprenticeship program and was able to share my experiences and insight with them. I recently applied for a position as a Senior Trainer and was offered the position. Since taking the job, I have been part of a team creating classes for a new, revamped training program that concentrates on system level knowledge, and provides Trainees with everything they need to know to advance their own career. Working for TriMet has been one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me and is by far the best job I have ever had. This company has invested in me by teaching me skills that have improved my abilities and have given me the chance to earn a living that I never would have thought possible. I have made great friends here, found a career that provides for my family, and I am so grateful for the people and opportunities that have helped me along my way.”

Manager, Scheduling, Systems & Production

“I started my career at TriMet as a Business Analyst intern between my junior and senior years in College. While in that internship, I was able to learn about what several different departments' roles were and make connections with a lot of great people. While making those connections, I got involved with Service Planning and then was able to come back as an intern in that group for a few weeks over the Winter break. That quick stint in Service Planning opened a door to a temporary Planner position once I graduated. I spent a year and a half in the Planner position and during that time I learned about the connection between Scheduling and Planning and how the two departments work together. When a position in Scheduling opened, I applied as a way to get into a permanent position and then fell in love with the work the Scheduling team does and still work in the group today! I happily worked in the role of Schedule Data Technician for about seven years, where I was able to work with Schedule Writers, Garage Managers, and Operators to support Operator signups, create Operator materials, and participate in Operator workforce planning, and really developed a passion for supporting our front line employees. At that point, I was interested in doing more, and having more of an impact, and I moved into the role of Manager, Scheduling Systems and Production, which is the role I hold today. Over the last nine years as a manager, my duties and tasks have shifted around and then shifted back (I had a title change in there for a couple years too), and I've had the opportunity to really advance my knowledge and hone existing skills while developing some new ones. In total I've been with TriMet for 17 years now (not including my time as an intern), and I can't believe how fast the time has gone, and how much I've gained through TriMet. ”

Manager, REM

“I began my career with TriMet in April 2006, starting as a Bus Operator. At the time, it was the only position available, and I was encouraged by my mother-in-law, who had worked for TriMet for many years. She always said, “One of you better get on here, I want to make sure my grandkids have a good future.” Looking back, I’m so grateful I took her advice! Driving buses was one of the most stressful yet rewarding jobs I’ve had. I loved interacting with passengers, but balancing that, plus driving, and schedules was…a lot. It didn’t take long to decide to shift gears and move into the Maintenance Department. I started by cleaning buses at Powell, and then to Ruby Junction, where I cleaned trains. I had initially considered the bus apprenticeship program, but the sight of a train up on the jacks completely changed my perspective. I wanted to work on those trains! I went on to complete the apprenticeship program and became a LRV (Light Rail Vehicle) Technician, a role I thoroughly enjoyed. After several years, my Supervisor encouraged me to consider an Assistant Supervisor position, where I would be responsible for running the shop while still working on trains. It was a bit intimidating at first, but I embraced the challenge and found it gave me a wider view of the department's responsibilities. Three years ago, I was promoted to Assistant Manager, where I took on the responsibility of running the graveyard shift at Ruby Junction. This role expanded my perspective even further, and in September of last year, I became the Manager of REM. Now, I oversee the mechanic graveyard shifts as well as the service crews at both Ruby Junction and Elmonica. TriMet has provided me with the opportunities and support to grow at every stage of my career. I am extremely grateful for the experiences and chances I've had to succeed, and I'm excited for what the future holds!”