Metro News Release

For immediate release: February 25, 2005

Metro reorganizes top management

Metro is streamlining its internal management structure. The changes, which were announced this week, are part of the transit agency’s ongoing efforts to improve safety, reliability and customer service.

Twelve major departments reporting to the General Manager/CEO have been consolidated to four. The four departments are: Customer Service, Operations and Safety; Planning and Development; Workforce Development and Administration; and Finance/Chief Financial Officer. They also reflect changes in the names of the board committees.

Four smaller units also will report to the General Manager/CEO. The General Counsel and Board Secretary had previously directly filled in the agency’s top management tier. The Department of Public Affairs and Strategic Programs and Auditor General, which were parts of old departments, now directly report to the GM/CEO. The changes reflect the importance of independent reviews and investigations, and public affairs and the need for more government-supported funding.

The Board Secretary/Chief of Staff position will be split to better support the General Manager and oversee internal administration of the authority. The Secretary and Chief of Staff had previously reported directly to the CEO, but now the Chief of Staff will be the second in command instead of the Deputy General Manager of Operations. That position will be replaced with a director of operations and will fall under the Department of Customer Service, Operations and Safety. There is a national search going on to fill the post. General Manager/CEO Richard A. White said there was a "vast" scope of responsibilities under the old structure for the Deputy General Manager of Operations.

"The new unit will be more streamlined and more focused on the core mission of operations, maintenance and reliability of our basic service and infrastructure," White said of the authority-wide reorganization.

The Customer Communications department also will focus on setting up more town hall style meetings and a riders’ advisory committee, among other customer related responsibilities.

News release issued on February 25, 2005.