ANN ARBOR, MI – The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) has named Michael G. Ford as its new chief executive officer. Ford, who has more than 25 years of experience in both public and private transportation, will begin work at AATA on Monday, July 20.
Ann Arbor Transportation Authority has hired Michael G. Ford as its new CEO.
AATA Board Chair David Nacht praised the new CEO, saying, “Michael Ford has a terrific record of accomplishment managing traditional bus service, light rail and express buses. He has spent the bulk of his career at Tri Met in Portland, Oregon, which is a crown jewel of American transit. He has a consensus building teamwork approach that is consistent with our community’s values and style.
He also has the tenacity to ride a bicycle 200 miles from Seattle to Portland in one day, eleven times. If anyone can build the support to expand transit in our community, he is the guy!”
In making the announcement, Nacht also acknowledged the outstanding service of Dawn Gabay, who served as assistant executive director prior to 2007, when she was selected by the AATA board as interim executive director. Gabay will return to her previous responsibilities and assist the new CEO.
Before starting his own consulting firm in 2008, Ford served as chief operating officer and assistant general manager of the San Joaquin Rapid Transit District in Stockton, California.
Earlier, he served as executive advisor to the general manager and as director of transportation operations at Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation System (TriMet) in Portland, Oregon, and in several positions, including director of maintenance/operations at Community Transit in Everett, Washington. Previously, he held several management positions at Greyhound Lines in Spokane, Washington and has served as a board member of several non-profit organizations on the West Coast.
Ford earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and philosophy from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon and a master’s degree in business administration at City University of Seattle/Spokane.
In anticipation of his new position, Ford said, "I am very excited about the opportunity at AATA and working with the Board, staff and the community to propel the agency forward. I’m looking forward to becoming part of such a dynamic community.”