Patrick Preusser
TriMet, the commuter transit operator in the Portland, Ore., area, has named Patrick Preusser executive director of transportation. In his new position, Preusser will lead the operational activities for bus, MAX Light Rail, WES Commuter Rail and LIFT paratransit service.
“Patrick’s extensive experience and knowledge of rail operations will be a tremendous asset to TriMet as we improve the management, training and oversight of the system,” said Doug Kelsey, TriMet’s chief operating officer. “He will play a critical role in improving safety as we implement our rail safety audit.”
Preusser has 19 years of railway experience working in public and private sector operations, including freight, commuter, passenger and transit. Before joining TriMet he served as operations manager for the Saudi Railway Company (Serco) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Prior to that, Preusser was executive director of rail operations for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). He has also worked for Amtrak and the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration.
Preusser earned a master’s degree in intermodal transportation management from the University of Denver and is currently completing a second master’s degree in public administration.
“I’m pleased to be working for a highly-regarded transit agency in a community that’s committed to multimodal transportation,” Preusser stated. “I believe in TriMet’s mission, and look forward to working with our employees to build upon current accomplishments, advance safety and grow our service. Success to me is being proactive and preventing problems through analysis and process improvement.”