Inez Evans Benson

Direct, plan, and implements policies, objectives, and activities of the corporation to ensure continuing operations, to maximize returns on investments, and to increase productivity. Identify and acquire funding for the organization from local, state, federal and private sources. Establish and achieve strategic and financial goals through executing the company’s strategic plan, cascading strategic objectives throughout the organization, identifying operational inefficiencies, etc.

Create and inspire a vision for the organization consistent with adopted plans and policies. Develop operational plans for the organization based on strategic objectives; partners with executive team members to identify the best means of executing these operational plans; collaboratively defines operating units’ goals and monitors success. Build and manage an Executive Team and staff that is scalable to the activities of the organization. Establish a culture of accountability with a data-driven focus on performance. Cultivate effective relationships with the community, business leaders, public officials, and labor representatives. Ensure that a clear and accurate accounting system is maintained, allowing the board to monitor the corporation’s finances and operations relative to the approved budget. Prepare the annual budget, budget message, and capital program and submit them to the board for approval; monitor administration of the budget after its adoption. Maintain the financial stability of the corporation and administers programs to protect the assets and employees of the corporation; advises and recommends changes to the board concerning the financial condition and future needs of the corporation. Manages complex, major capital and operating projects. Promote public and private sector involvement including the use of consultants in the regional planning, administration, and operation of the transportation system. Promote IPTC as the leading voice in public transportation issues in the community. Attends and participates in board meetings. Accountable for safety in the workplace.

Provide executive-level operational oversight and direction for VTA's bus and light rail operations and maintenance; Responsibility for 1800 employees, 500 vehicle bus fleet, 99 light rail cars, 200 non-revenue vehicles, and 250 paratransit vehicles; Budgetary responsibility of $363 million annual operating budget; Resolve operational issues with the VTA Board of Directors, staff, elected and public officials, riders, the general public and special interest constituencies; Provide contract management and oversight of the provision of accessible transit service and contract bus services; Participate in capital project planning processes to evaluate operational functionality and recommend enhancements for operational effective- ness; Monitor transit service and identifies opportunities for improvements/efficiencies; develops and implements change initiatives; Ensure VTA complies with laws, standards, and regulations required by governmental agencies including OSHA, EPA, FTA, DOT, and CPUC; Oversee the compliance of the storm water pollution prevention program, underground storage tanks, the Municipal Storm Water Permitting Program (MS4s), the compliance waste water treatment plant, and industrial waste for the organization; Facilitate the process for ISO 14001 certification; Provide management oversight of the scheduling and service planning functions; Administer and implement VTA's environmental compliance programs. Program elements include hazardous materials management, hazardous waste minimization and remediation, hazardous materials communications, environmental compliance and permitting, site inspections, emergency response and preparedness, and facility design plan review; Provide management oversight of transit security; Develop and monitor objectives, policy and procedure for the Division; Ensure compliance with diversity and inclusion programs for the divisions; Monitor performance measures and enforces accountability; Represent VTA before local, regional, state and federal government agencies, boards, commissions and conferences; Establishs and maintain an effective system of communication throughout the Division, the Board of Directors, City Councils and other federal, state, regional

Assisted and participated in the planning, organizing, and facilitating the activities of the General Manager; facilitates and coordinates with Executive Management on items critical to VTA including strategic planning and analysis, program development, and internal and external policy development; and directs the activities of the Office of the General Manager. Reviews and maintains awareness of potential, pending, and current legislation that may impact VTA. Coordinated and maintained contacts with a variety of stakeholders including local, county and regional representatives, the Board of Directors, boards and commissions, and community organizations, leaders and citizens. Coordinated with the grants department to execute funding applications including but not limited to New Starts for the BART project. Development and implementation of a strategic plan, campaign of public good will, and brand identification. Selects, supervises, assigns, coaches, evaluates, counsels, and disciplines staff. Worked with the Division Chiefs and Executive Directors in assisting the General Manager with interactions with various internal and external constituencies. Coordinated the design and development of program services with the General Manager and Executive Management. Represents the CEO and General Manager at VTA Board meetings or committee meetings as directed.

Managed, planned, and developed the daily operations of the entire transit system through Executive oversight of the Transit Operations Department, Fleet & Facilities Department, Streetcar, and ADA and Accessible Services (Paratransit) Department. Responsibility for 650 employees and 392 vehicles. Facilitated the development of strategies to meet or exceed organizational and department performance goals and objectives. Developed, communicated, monitored, and ensured adherence to both Operating and Capital Budgets. Participated in all collective bargaining activities with the Union. Budget accountability of $70 million operating and $13 million capital annually.

Managed Bus Transportation daily transporting of passengers on the fixed route Bus System. Responsibility included three operating garages that employed 1500 employees and operated 609 buses. The combined fleet traveled over 30.1 million miles annually on 132 bus routes, including special events. Responsible for the Bus Radio Communication Center that served as the critical 24-hour communication link between all buses and operations. The Communication Center included the MARTA Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) component that provided the Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) System, the Automatic Passenger Counter (APC) System, and a direct link to the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT). Operating budget of $98M annually.

Motivated staff to resolve multiple and complex (Human Resources, Legal, Financial, Operational, and Risk Management) issues to reach peak performance. Dynamic results-orientated leader with a strong track record of performance and of turning underperforming organizations. Utilize keen analysis, insight and team approach to drive organizational improvements and implementation of best practices. Superior inter-personal skills. Budget accountability of $30M annually. Coordinated the day-to-day operations of the Capital MetroAccess paratransit contract and management of 210 employees. Contract oversight of two purchased service contractors providing overflow service through 431 vehicle operators.

Executed the day-to-day operations of the San Jose OUTREACH paratransit contract. The service area exceeds the boundaries of Santa Clara County, which includes all 15 cities (over 342 square miles) covering areas served by fixed route. The region comprises nearly 243 vehicles and 325 employees. Revenue accountability of $17 million annually; Coordinate operation efficiency with the client to ensure service quality and productivity; Negotiate labor contracts, arbitration matters, and employee relations within a union environment; Assure contractual compliance and customer satisfaction in all areas of operations; Proficiently use Trapeze Software systems and MC units, and serve as a resource ensuring proper usage to maximize efficiencies while enhancing performance standards to achieve 98% on time performance; Oversee effective recruitment, hiring and training of all personnel including drivers to ensure successful on-the-road operations, passenger relations and safety; Reduction in the accident frequency rate of 15%.

Managed all the day to day operations of MV's largest WMATA-MetroAccess paratransit contract for the DC Metropolitan are. The region encompasses nearly 325 vehicles and 650 employees. Service area covers 1500 square miles and over 5,000 trips per day. Revenue accountability of $50 million annually; Managed MV’s operations in the Far Northern Californian Region, including the Fairfield, Roseville, Sacramento, Susanville, Alturas, Sonora, and Calaveras County locations as well as Reno, Carson City. This region encompasses nearly 232 vehicles and 265 employees, and includes fixed route and paratransit operations during the period of January 2005 to September 2005; Serve as customer liaison, ensuring that all client communications are accurate, timely, and meet the needs of all client personnel; Provide direction and assistance to general managers in region, including contracts, service performance, labor relations and personnel matters; Assist with the preparation of bids for new contacts by developing staffing levels and overall operations scenario to include budget administration; Ensure operations meet or exceed customer expectations regarding service quality, efficiency and productivity; Ensure that management services are provided according to the local governing board policies and contractual obligations; Serve as resource to operations utilizing Trapeze Software systems and the AVL/MDC units, ensuring proper usage to maximize efficiencies while enhancing performance standards; Negotiate labor contracts and assist local management to work within a union environment; Accountable for the efficiency of personnel, communications, and the level of morale within the operational area; Responsible for performing contract appraisals including fleet maintenance.

Oversaw Laidlaw’s public operations in central California including our Martinez Monterey, Paso Robles and Santa Cruz locations encompassing nearly 130 vehicles and 150 employees. These locations include fixed-route, charter, school bus, and paratransit operations; Responsibilities include serving as customer liaison and ensuring operations met or exceed customer expectations regarding service quality, efficiency, and productivity; Negotiated labor contracts and worked within a union environment; Managed budget and staffing levels; Accountable for the efficiency of personnel, communication, and the level of morale.