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Executive Constantine names new GM for Metro, the nation’s 10th largest transit service

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King County Executive
Dow Constantine


Executive Constantine names new GM for Metro, the nation’s 10th largest transit service

Summary

King County Executive Dow Constantine named Rob Gannon as General Manager for Metro Transit. Gannon currently serves as interim General Manager. His position is subject to confirmation by the King County Council.

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Rob Gannon, named General Manager

In naming interim Metro General Manager Rob Gannon to the permanent position, King County Executive Dow Constantine selected a leader with experience at Metro as well as Amazon.com and the University of Montana.

Gannon, 47, served as Interim General Manager from March 2016 until now. He was Metro Deputy General Manager from 2013-2016, and Human Resources Manager for the King County Department of Transportation from 2011-2013. He previously oversaw budget and labor relations at the University of Montana.

“As our region grows and becomes ever more reliant on fast, efficient transit, Rob is the right person to lead Metro,” said Executive Constantine. “Rob guided the creation of Metro’s long range plan. Now is the time to implement our vision. It’s about hiring the right people, creating a workplace that is second to none, and constantly focusing on the rider experience.”

Metro provides a wide range of services, including more than 200 bus routes plus RapidRide lines, Demand Area Response Transit (DART), and operation of the City of Seattle's streetcar system.

In addition to those fixed-route services, Metro offers accessible services for people with disabilities, commuter vanpools, and alternative services in communities where regular bus routes aren't the best solution for local transportation needs.

Metro also operates Sound Transit's Link light rail and most of its Regional Express bus service in King County under contract, and is reimbursed for the operating costs and relevant capital costs.

Transit accounts for 23.4 percent of King County’s approximately $11.3 billion 2017-2018 budget. Metro has its own dedicated funding sources and relies on sales tax for more than half of its total budget. Other significant revenue sources include fares, federal grants and revenue from contract services.

Metro’s long range plan Metro Connects calls for increasing the number of buses on the street by 30 percent, increasing bus service by 70 percent and doubling ridership.

As General Manager, Gannon said he will focus on three primary areas:
• Assuring that Metro is safe and reliable for customers and operators, and gets people where they need to be.
• Meeting today’s demands while building capacity for Metro Connects - getting our system to perform optimally so we’re building on the best possible foundation.
• Strengthening Metro as a great place to work. It's the best way to provide outstanding service to customers and embrace innovation.

“Every day, Metro moves about 400,000 people, and ridership continues to increase. We are already one of the nation’s great transit agencies. Taking our work to the next level is an incredible challenge, but we have an opportunity to be an absolutely outstanding agency,” said Gannon. “We don’t just provide service to the community, we are part of the community. I want to thank Executive Constantine for the opportunity and I look forward to working with all of Metro partners to continue to provide safe, reliable transit to the region.”

Gannon’s salary will be $193,634.06 annually. The agency’s proposed 2017-2018 budget is approximately $2.5 billion to operate transit service across King County. The transit division has 4,700 employees, with the backbone of service provided by 2,700 part-time and full-time bus operators and more than 600 vehicle maintenance staff at seven bus bases located in Seattle, Shoreline, Tukwila and Bellevue.


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Quotes

As our region grows and becomes ever more reliant on fast, efficient transit, Rob is the right person to lead Metro. Rob guided the creation of Metro’s long range plan. Now is the time to implement our vision. It’s about hiring the right people, creating a workplace that is second to none, and constantly focusing on the rider experience.

Dow Constantine, King County Executive

Every day, Metro moves about 400,000 people, and ridership continues to increase. We are already one of the nation’s great transit agencies. Taking our work to the next level is an incredible challenge. I want to thank Executive Constantine for the opportunity and I look forward to working with all our Metro partners to continue to provide safe, reliable transit to the region.

Rob Gannon, named General Manager

Working with Rob over the years, I’ve seen his passion and judgment. He is the right person to lead Metro as it rolls out new service, and continues to innovate. He is an inspirational leader who truly cares about the entire Metro team, and he’ll make sure we’re moving together in the right direction.

Harold Taniguchi, Director, King County Department of Transportation

As interim General Manager, Rob proved to be the right person for the job. I look forward to working with him to ensure Metro continues to grow and continue to be such an important part of people’s lives across the region.

Joe McDermott, Council Chair

I’ve enjoyed working with Rob in his capacity as interim General Manager, as I’ve found him to be knowledgeable, responsive, transparent, and committed to customer satisfaction. I look forward to working with Rob to ensure that Metro Transit continues to invest in and prioritize additional service for underserved communities, enhanced passenger and driver safety, and an aggressive shift toward a zero emissions/carbon-neutral fleet.

Rod Dembowski, King County Council

Rob Gannon understands how efficient transit builds stronger and more equitable communities. Under his leadership, Metro developed its long range plan, and took the first steps to implement it. Transit advocates across the region look forward to working with Rob to fulfill Metro's vision.

Shefali Ranganathan, Transportation Choices Coalition 

I look forward to working with Rob and the Metro team as we continue to make the rider experience between Sound Transit and Metro as seamless and efficient as possible. Together, we can meet the tremendous needs for transit that we see in every part of the region.

Peter Rogoff, Sound Transit CEO 

For more information, contact:

Alex Fryer, Executive Office, 206-477-7966


King County Executive
Dow Constantine
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