PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Transdev North America recently
announced the internal promotion of
Dick Alexander to CEO of Transdev U.S.
operations. Alexander is replacing Yann
Leriche, who is returning to France and
leaving the organization in June 2020.
Alexander has been with Transdev for
more than 18 years and has led Business
Development team over this extended
timeframe. During his career at Transdev, he
signifi cantly grew business and increased the
Dick Alexander
breadth, depth and capabilities of the Business
Development team. In recent years, he also oversaw autonomous
vehicle implementations in North America, developed early pilots of
microtransit services and piloted the integration of TNCs in paratransit
contracts. He has been a long-time member of the North American
Executive Committee.
“Dick is well-known and appreciated as a highly experienced
transit leader, an innovative thinker and a problem-solver,” says
Yann Leriche, former CEO of Transdev North America, who will be
advising Alexander and the senior team until June 2020, ensuring a
smooth leadership transition. “Transdev is fortunate to have him as
our new CEO in the U.S.,”
“I look forward to continuing to support our clients by delivering
consistently safe, well-managed transit operations with a focus
on improving the passenger experience,” Alexander said. “We are
committed to innovating in the mobility of today and tomorrow to
support our clients in achieving their goals.”
Alexander holds a Master of Business Administration from Xavier
University, in addition to his Bachelor of Urban Planning and Design
from the University of Cincinnati.
GoTriangle’s Board of Trustees voted to
hire Charles E. Lattuca, executive director
of Transit Development and Delivery for the
Maryland Department of Transportation, as
president and CEO of GoTriangle.
“After a nationwide search, the board is
confi dent that we have found a new president
who can bring the leadership experience to
help GoTriangle provide the regional transit
solutions that the Triangle needs,” said Michael
Parker, chairman of the GoTriangle Board
Charles E. Lattuca
of Trustees. “We are all excited to work with
Chuck to keep moving GoTriangle forward.”
Lattuca is an accomplished transportation executive with extensive
leadership and government administration experience. Most recently,
he has been leading a $5.6 billion project to build a 16.2-mile
light-rail transit system, expected to open in 2023, in the Baltimore-
Washington metro area.
“I’m very excited about coming to North Carolina and being a part
of the GoTriangle team and working hard to lead the organization into
a new era of creating transit solutions to meet the region’s growing
transportation needs,” Lattuca said. “Working with local and state
partners, we’ll be looking to expand transit services so that the
Raleigh-Durham area can continue to grow well and grow more jobs.
We’re about providing access to opportunity.”
Lattuca also has served as the Rapid Transit System
development manager for the Montgomery County Department
of Transportation, where he was responsible for planning and
engineering studies related to advancing the Maryland county’s
102-mile bus rapid transit plan. Both the Wake County and Orange
County transit plans include BRT projects.
28 | BUSRIDE.COM | MAY / JUNE 2020
A six-year Navy veteran, Lattuca has a Bachelor of Arts in political
science from the State University of New York at Oswego and a
certifi cate in Strategic Leadership for State Executives from Duke
University. He began his career as a legislative analyst in the Offi ce of
the New York State Assembly’s minority leader and also has served
as the New York governor’s assistant director of state operations,
overseeing the Department of Transportation, the Department of
Motor Vehicles and the Offi ce of General Services.
GoTriangle is the regional transit agency with routes connecting
points in Wake, Durham and Orange counties. The agency averages
more than 6,000 boardings a day on 20 regional and express routes.
Two IndyGo employees were honored at the 29th Annual ROSE
Awards on Wednesday, March 11 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.
Baba Diop, a professional coach operator, and Charlie
Watkins, a body shop mechanic, were both nominated for
awards. Diop was selected as a winner of a ROSE Award.
The ROSE Awards celebrate excellence in the service industry,
and employees whose dedication to their community, coworkers,
and organizations goes beyond what’s in their job description.
Baba Diop, a professional coach operator with ten years
of experience, was
honored for his
commitment to
his riders—even in
his time off. Diop
noticed a frequent
rider struggling with
a broken wheelchair,
and provided the rider
with a new one. The
rider and Diop formed
Baba Diop (right) of IndyGo was selected as a
a friendship, and Diop
winer of a ROSE award.
even went on to assist
the rider in fi nding a
new home.
Charlie Watkins, a
body shop mechanic,
has worked at IndyGo
for eight years. Watkins,
known by his coworkers
as a “go-getter,” is
always looking for new
solutions in the garage.
He is responsible for
Charlie Watkins (right), a body shop mechanic, has
building battery carts,
worked at IndyGo for eight years.
engine stands, and more.
Watkins’ dedication to innovation demonstrates his determination to
help IndyGo serve its riders as effi ciently as possible.
“Both Baba and Charlie demonstrate what’s best about
IndyGo: dedication to providing the best possible service to
our riders,” said Aaron Vogel, chief operating offi cer of IndyGo.
“Whether that means going above and beyond for a rider on
the bus, or thinking strategically about managing our resources
to ensure service is effective, these two are great examples of
strong customer service.”
Diop and Watkins’ contributions to IndyGo are among the many
notable acts of customer service IndyGo’s employees make every
day. Wednesday, March 18 is Transit Employee Appreciation Day.
Riders are encouraged to tell IndyGo drivers and other staff why
they value their contributions to Indianapolis.
“Providing reliable service is essential to our riders, and we
couldn’t do it without our team of hardworking staff,” said Inez