New Metro Transit General Manager Announcement
I am proud to announce that after a national search and an extensive interview process (including a number of you, thank you), Jamie Acton has been appointed by Mayor Rhodes-Conway to be our new Metro General Manager. She has served most recently as Director of Planning and Program Development for the Federal Transit Administration’s Region 10; prior to that, she led the Public Transportation Department for the Municipality of Anchorage.
She worked for the Municipality of Anchorage for over 15 years starting as a mobility planner and ultimately serving as Executive Director for 6 years. The Department is Alaska's largest transit provider and has many similarities to Metro Transit — including network operations, municipal ownership, and a unionized workforce. Under her leadership, the agency refined the comprehensive system redesign, expanded service, modernized the fixed route and paratransit fleets, improved technology systems and rider tools, and secured millions in grant funding to expand mobility options.
Acton holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Interdisciplinary Writing from Eastern Oregon University. She is an alum of the American Public Transportation Association’s Leadership program and has been recognized nationally as a leader in transportation. Her first day at Metro Transit is October 13th. You may see her around before that, as she is already making plans to meet as many of you as possible.
Jamie is excited to work with you to learn about the Metro system. She will foster a workplace focusing on continuous improvement of our services. As I’ve said to many of you, the goal was to find a General Manager who is a passionate, talented transit professional, leading with openness and integrity. I’m confident that’s Jamie. She values each of you and the critically important role you play in making Metro happen.
She got her introduction to transit attending University of Alaska-Anchorage hockey games with her family starting in elementary school. She attended many games, with at least a good number of them seeing our Badgers take down the Seawolves. Jamie has a passion for learning and strong desire for ongoing personal and professional growth. You will often find her reading, researching, or listening to podcasts. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, hunting and fishing, flying, boating and paddleboarding.
I’m excited for you to get to know her better and for her to get to work with such an amazing team. It’s a great day for Metro! Please feel free to reach out to Metro leadership or to me if you have any questions. Thank you for all you do for the City!
- Eric Knepp, Interim General Manager