TransLink appoints Kevin Quinn as new CEO
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Kevin Quinn is currently the CEO and administrator of the Maryland Transit Administration in the United States. He starts his new job at TransLink July 19.
Author of the article:
Cheryl ChanPublishing date:
May 18, 2021 • 52 minutes ago • 1 minute read • Join the conversationTransLink has named a new chief executive office.
On Tuesday, TransLink announced the appointment of Kevin Quinn as the regional transit authority’s top boss following an international search. He replaces Kevin Desmond, who stepped down in February after nearly five years to return to the United States.
Like Desmond, who was general manager for King County Metro Transit in Seattle before arriving in B.C., Quinn is from the U.S. He is the CEO and administrator of the Maryland Transit Administration, a post he has held since 2017.
Gigi Chen-Kuo continues as TransLink’s interim CEO until Quinn starts his new job on July 19.
Quinn is expected to take over TransLink as it prepares for a post-pandemic recovery, with an emphasis on rebuilding ridership and achieving financial sustainability.
“We look forward to welcoming Kevin Quinn to the TransLink enterprise, which will benefit from his bold, innovative and customer-centred approach to leadership,” said the TransLink board chairman, Tony Gugliotta, in a statement on Tuesday.
“As TransLink prepares to welcome back more customers to transit and launch a robust ridership recovery plan, we are thrilled to have Kevin lead TransLink into its next chapter.”
At the MTA, Quinn oversaw one of the largest multi-model transit systems in the United States, including buses, subways, light rail, and commuter bus and rail and over 100 million passengers a year.
His focus has been on the customer experience and employee engagement. He oversaw the development of “customer-facing real-time tracking technology” for the bus and commuter rail service, said TransLink. Under his leadership, the agency also introduced its first mobile payment app.
Before becoming CEO, Quinn was the MTA’s director of planning and programming.
He has a master’s degree in public policy from Johns Hopkins University, and has been recognized as a Top 40 under 40 transit professional in Mass Transit Magazine.
Quinn is expected to move to Metro Vancouver with his wife and two children.
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