Government and public sector
10 transit operations experts
These ten transit operations leaders have run transit service operations in their own roles at public transit agencies. A reader can learn from them how transit agencies organize, staff and supervise service day to day.
Professionals to explore
01—10Anthony Heyward
LinkedInExperience: Director of Bus Operation · Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART)
Director of Bus Operation at Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) since December 2024, where the profile describes guiding the Bus Division toward its vision and goals and managing and directing work through subordinate supervisory personnel. Former General Manager at RATP Dev USA (2023–2024) and Assistant Superintendent Bus Service Operations at Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) (2019–2021).
Christal Chandler
LinkedInExperience: Director of Bus Operations · GoTriangle
Director of Bus Operations at GoTriangle since May 2024; the profile headline describes leading 200 employees with a focus on safety and service reliability. Former Quality Assurance Manager (2020–2024), Assistant Operations Manager (2009–2020) and Dispatch Supervisor (2009) at GoTriangle.
Christopher Cole
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Operations · Cincinnati Metro
Director of Transportation at Lextran since June 2026. Former Vice President of Operations at Cincinnati Metro (2021–2023), Chief Operating Officer (2017–2021) and Chief Maintenance Officer (2016–2017) at Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority, and Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (2023–2024).
David Hill
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority - VTA
Former Chief Operating Officer at Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority - VTA (2019–2022), where the profile describes directing all VTA transit operations, including bus operations and maintenance, light rail operations and maintenance, accessible services and facilities maintenance. Former Deputy Director Transit Operations at Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) (2014–2019).
Donald Palmer, MBA
LinkedInExperience: Director of Road Rail Operations and Transportation Training · Port Authority of Allegheny County
Former Director of Road Rail Operations and Transportation Training at Port Authority of Allegheny County (2003–2015) and Chief Operating Officer at Capital Area Transit System (CATS) (2015–2016). Vice President of Operations at Coast Mountain Bus Company since January 2017.
Lisa Rae Vickery, MSTM
LinkedInExperience: Department Director of Transit Operations · VTA
Department Director of Transit Operations at VTA since August 2023. As Deputy Director, Bus Operations at VTA (2021–2023), the profile describes oversight of VTA bus transportation and maintenance, including the management of over 1000 employees and three operating divisions. Former Operations Manager (2019–2021) and Transportation Superintendent (2016–2019) at VTA.
Monica Green
LinkedInExperience: Director of Bus & Rail Operations, Pittsburgh Regional Transit · Pittsburgh Regional Transit
Director of Bus & Rail Operations, Pittsburgh Regional Transit since July 2022, a role the profile places at director level in operations. The profile also lists Manager of Bus and Rail Operations (since 2018), Assistant Director (2007–2018), Dispatcher- First Level Supervisor (2001–2007) and Bus Operator (1995–2001) roles at Port Authority of Allegheny County.
Naunihal Singh
LinkedInExperience: Deputy Director of Transit Operations · VTA
Chief Operating Officer at VTA since September 2025. The profile lists Deputy Director of Transit Operations at VTA (2021–2025) and Transportation Superintendent at VTA (2020–2021), and describes leading a team at VTA committed to delivering safe, reliable service.
Rachel Bird
LinkedInExperience: Director Rail Transportation Operations · Los Angeles Metro
Director Rail Transportation Operations at Los Angeles Metro since December 2021, a role the profile places at director level in operations. Former Maintenance Rail Operations Management (Facilities) (2014–2021), Service Operations Superintendent (2012–2014) and Transportation Operations Director Manager (2009–2012) roles at Los Angeles Metro.
Roderick D. Hodge
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director, Transportation Operations · Los Angeles Metro
Former Executive Director, Transportation Operations (2021–2022), Executive Manager, Transportation Operations (2019–2021) and Manager, Transportation Operations, Rail Control Center (2017–2019) at Los Angeles Metro. Former Vice President Bus & Rail Consolidated Dispatch Center Field Operations and Station Support at DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) (2025).
Choose the right perspective
Match the mode and scale to your question, since running rail operations at a large agency differs from running bus service at a regional system. Also consider whether you need someone who managed a single operating division or someone who directed operations agency-wide.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you staff the operator workforce so service stays reliable when absences spike?
- 02Which measures do you watch daily to catch service problems before riders feel them?
- 03How do dispatch and street supervision work together when service is disrupted?
Reaching transit operations experts
How can I contact one of these transit operations experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 8 companies, including Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART), GoTriangle and Cincinnati Metro, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach transit operations experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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