Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic
Kenneth DeBow

Kenneth DeBow

Phoenix,AZ

Summary

Dynamic multi-modal Transportation Professional with proven track record of providing exceptional, reliable, and safe service within the public transportation industry. Assumes an innovative, creative, solution-oriented approach towards problem management. Establishes clear expectations that ensure accountability and drive performance. Competent in the foundation and principles of transit operations, safety, and emergency management through practical application, industry training, and formal education. Skilled in developing and executing strategies, managing resources, and leading cross-functional teams. Consistently produces tangible outcomes that exceed expectations.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Manager, Transit Safety

Valley Metro RPTA
03.2021 - Current
  • Administers comprehensive regional safety program consistent with principles of Safety Management Systems to promote and ensure safety for surface transportation.
  • Oversees development, ongoing analysis, and review of Valley Metro's Agency Safety Plan and Safety Management System (SMS) activities
  • Establishes and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) and implements strategies to address areas of poor performance
  • Identifies hazards and works with stakeholders to implement effective mitigations
  • Presents written/oral reports regarding notable safety trends, accidents, and incidents
  • Upgraded confidential safety reporting system yielding 65% increase in system hazard reporting.
  • Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and standards
  • Conducted safety training and education to employees to increase awareness of safety hazards and empower employees to work safely.
  • Employs principles of budget development and administration, including forecasting future departmental needs
  • Employs management principles of Servant Leadership to lead motivated Safety Specialist
  • Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
  • Monitors safety performance of transportation contractor, assessing aspects of safety/quality assurance
  • Issues written formal notices in instances of poor performance/noncompliance
  • Serves as safety subject matter expert during rail activation for capital projects.
  • Investigates incidents, accidents, and work-related injuries and maintains all event records
  • Leads Systems Integrated Testing during periods of system start-up and expansion
  • Prepares formal requests for information regarding safety events in response to internal/external requests
  • Remains current with industry trends to align with best operations/safety practices
  • Leverages technology to collect and analyze data to inform agency safety initiatives and needs.

Track Allocation Program Administrator

Valley Metro RPTA
10.2020 - 03.2021
  • Developed and implemented program goals and objectives, establishing specific and measurable outcomes aligned with organization's overall mission.
  • Responsible for managing and coordinating access to over 30 departments and contractors on/about Valley Metro Rail's right-of-way as part of roadway worker protection
  • Responsibilities include: Perform preliminary engineering review of proposed work activity on or about Valley Metro's right-of-way
  • Reviews access requests and determines access needs and restrictions to mitigate safety concerns and potential impact to rail service delivery
  • Provided ongoing direction and leadership for program operations.
  • Coordinates with internal stakeholders to schedule watchmen/flagmen and other access needs
  • Strategically schedules contractors to promote safety and minimize impacts to revenue service
  • Confers with Rail Operations and Manager, Transit Safety to recommend modified service plans to accommodate permitted work activity needs for system speed restrictions
  • Employs use of strategic problem-solving techniques and conflict resolution tactics to accommodate construction activity while maintaining safety and integrity of rail operations
  • Coordinate with internal Valley Metro departments including Maintenance of Way, LRV Maintenance, Operations, and Facilities Maintenance to safely accommodate work activity
  • Responsible for overseeing Standard Operating Procedure development and annual reviews

Manager of Safety and Training

Alternate Concepts Inc.
10.2018 - 10.2020
  • Develops programs, policies, and procedures to foster safe working conditions for operating personnel
  • Facilitated training for 145 employees
  • Prepares and submits formal reports demonstrating safety performance, and internal safety initiatives
  • Performs safety assurance activities which include auditing, system monitoring, and hazard identification
  • Promotes safety by developing training programs tailored to operational needs and adult learning
  • Develops safety awareness campaigns and facilitates ongoing safety performance monitoring activities
  • Responsibilities include: Develops and updates safety & training programs for all employees to address lagging indicators
  • Employed principles of servant leadership to develop, motivate, and manage employees and workgroups
  • Participant in labor negotiations with Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) with skill in identifying mutual points of agreement and benefit
  • Updates and distributes Transportation Rulebooks and Standard Operating Procedures
  • Implements and oversees Safety Rules Compliance to identify leading indicators and institute corrective action plans to address negative trends
  • Served as Drug and Alcohol Program Manager, ensuring compliance with 49 CFR part 40
  • Served on Rail Activation Committee and developed training programs for all ACI Phoenix departments for 2-mile rail extension
  • Prepare accident/incidents reports citing root causal factors and corrective actions when applicable
  • Prepares and oversees budget of the ACI Safety & Training Department.

Assistant Manager of Transportation

Alternate Concepts Inc.
07.2018 - 10.2018
  • Plans, directs, and ensures delivery of efficient rail transit service on Valley Metro's rail system while providing leadership to Labor Union employees in compliance with two (2) Collective Bargaining Agreements
  • Responsibilities include: Managing Operations Control, Field Supervision, and Operating personnel, employing use of strategic employee scheduling to ensure adequate system coverage and reduce operating costs
  • Supervised department personnel by assigning and directing daily tasks as well as evaluating performance to enhance productivity and resolve problems
  • Coordinates special event service delivery to meet ridership demand
  • Maintain record of rail vehicle trips/mileage as required for National Transit Database.
  • Administers progressive discipline and collaborates with organized labor to resolve member grievances
  • Draft and disseminate special operating instructions via Train Orders, Transportation Bulletins, and Special Orders
  • Implements alternate service plans during system disruptions to minimize system delays and promote customer satisfaction.

Rail Operations Supervisor

Alternate Concepts Inc.
05.2015 - 07.2018
  • Qualified in all supervisory roles including Field, Operations Control, and Crew Dispatch
  • Responsibilities include: Control rail traffic using Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA), in compliance with operating rules and standard operating procedures
  • Producing schedule for unionized staff in compliance with ATU and OPEIU collective bargaining agreements
  • Implement alternate service plans during service disruptions that are least impactful to customers
  • Maintains daily log of events that occurred on/around Valley Metro property
  • Employs strategic scheduling techniques to ensure seamless service delivery
  • Maintains record of hours worked and daily exceptions for payroll administration
  • Completed weekly payroll for 145 employees
  • Maintains employee attendance records and coordinates with management accordingly.

Education

Master’s Business Administration (MBA) -

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ
10.2021

Bachelor of Science, Public Safety & Emergency Management -

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix
01.2017

Skills

  • Operational Efficiency
  • Program Leadership
  • Government Regulations
  • Hazard and Incident Management
  • Data Acquisition
  • Compliance Reporting
  • Process Improvement
  • Operational Oversight

Accomplishments

  • Managed the implementation of the Valley Metro Safety Management System as required by 49 CFR Part 673.
  • Served as Lead Safety Officer during Valley Metro's 2023 State Safety Oversight Triennial audit producing an 84% reduction in audit findings.
  • Provided Safety Certification oversight of the Tempe Streetcar system aiding the agency in meeting its revenue service date commitment.
  • Introduced new technology and methods to increase use of Valley Metro's confidential safety reporting system.


Certification

  • Public Transportation Safety Certification Program Certificate (PTSCTP)
  • Transit Safety & Security Program Certificate (TSSP)
  • Eno Center for Transportation - Eno-MAX Professional Development
  • National Incident Management Systems
  • OSHA 30-Hour General Industry

Timeline

Manager, Transit Safety

Valley Metro RPTA
03.2021 - Current

Track Allocation Program Administrator

Valley Metro RPTA
10.2020 - 03.2021

Manager of Safety and Training

Alternate Concepts Inc.
10.2018 - 10.2020

Assistant Manager of Transportation

Alternate Concepts Inc.
07.2018 - 10.2018

Rail Operations Supervisor

Alternate Concepts Inc.
05.2015 - 07.2018

Master’s Business Administration (MBA) -

Grand Canyon University

Bachelor of Science, Public Safety & Emergency Management -

Grand Canyon University

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Kenneth DeBow