American Council of Engineering Companies of Colorado

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) has engaged Krauthamer & Associates to conduct a national recruitment for a dynamic, knowledgeable, and strategic professional to take on the role of Vice President, Light Rail Operations.

SacRT is the largest transit provider in California’s capital region (the 5th largest economy in the world), serving over 26 million passengers a year (pre-pandemic) over a 440-square mile service area throughout Sacramento County, which includes service in the cities of Sacramento, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom and Rancho Cordova. SacRT operates approximately 82 bus routes (fixed-route, dial-a-ride and microtransit); 43 miles of light rail serving 53 stations; and ADA paratransit service. SacRT’s FY 2022-23 operating budget is $230.7 million and ongoing capital improvement budget is 1.19 billion.

An award-winning agency, SacRT is the 2021 national APTA Outstanding Public Transportation System of the Year award recipient for accomplishment and innovations in public transportation; the 2021 and 2020 national APTA Rail Safety Gold Award recipient for its multi-faceted and innovative approach to reducing crime and fare evasion; and the 2019 national TSA Gold Standard Security Award recipient for the highest standard of excellence. SacRT received the Government Finance Officers Association Award every year since 2000 and a clean audit/unqualified opinion every year for the past 20 years.  SacRT values equity and inclusion and takes pride in its highly diverse workforce, which mirrors the diversity of the communities it serves.

SacRT has undergone a historic transformation to optimize service, seek continuous and innovative mobility options, and bring greater value to the Sacramento region.  Over the last six years, SacRT has made significant progress on its Journey to Excellence by improving fiscal stability – building reserves, attracting new riders, and heightening its commitment to providing clean, safe and convenient service for people who live, work, and play in the Sacramento region.

The Sacramento region is a wonderful place to live, work and play. It has diverse and inviting neighborhoods, exciting entertainment and arts, agricultural lands that feed both the world and fill local farmers markets, and a diversity of beautiful scenery, natural places and recreation. Best of all, residents have many travel options to easily get to all their destinations.

The Vice President of Light Rail Operations will have executive oversight over SacRT’s light rail operations, including maintenance, service planning, and training, and is responsible for ensuring the efficient and consistent delivery of safe, reliable, and clean public transportation services for the District. In addition to the day-to-day operational responsibilities, the Vice President will be instrumental in developing and implementing strategic initiatives across the agency to the effect of improving operational effectiveness, service quality, cost reduction, and increased revenue and ridership.

The Vice President is an integral part of SacRT’s executive management team and will report to and work closely with the General Manager/CEO to carry out SacRT’s mission and objectives. As part of the executive team, the Vice President will represent the SacRT to the Board of Directors as well as to stakeholders and the community. The Vice President will be a strong communicator with the ability to motivate staff, engage the Board, community stakeholders, and other related groups, and serve as a key adviser to the General Manager/CEO.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced and knowledgeable transit executive who has a demonstrated history of successfully leading light rail, rail, streetcar or subway operations and maintenance in a similar size organization. The Vice President will be an engaging and strategic leader capable of maintaining and improving SacRT’s excellence of service in the Sacramento region and meeting or exceeding the financial and service goals of the District.

The Vice President will have experience developing and implementing capital budgets and working in compliance with state, federal, and local regulations. This individual will be customer-focused and committed to providing SacRT’s ridership with safe, reliable, and clean transportation with an eye toward improving service delivery, reducing operating costs, and growing SacRT’s presence across the region.

Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in a general professional or technical field with 10 years of executive leadership experience are preferred although experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.