Cap Metro

Capital Metro President/Chief Executive Officer Fred Gilliam Announces Retirement

September 30, 2009Austin, Texas - Today Capital Metro President/CEO Fred Gilliam announced his retirement effective October 16.

Gilliam joined Capital Metro in 2001 as Deputy General Manager/Chief Operating Officer and was appointed President/CEO in 2002.

He submitted the following letter to Board chair Margaret Gomez and the rest of the Board of Directors today:

Madam Chair and Board members:

It is with mixed emotions that I inform you of my plan to retire from my position as President/CEO of Capital Metro. I have decided to take advantage of the early retirement option now available to Capital Metro employees; therefore, October 16th will be my last day as a full-time employee of the organization.

As we head into the home stretch of our commuter rail preparations, I am confident in Capital Metro’s very capable staff to bring this great project to completion. Similarly, you have provided great leadership to the staff in developing a budget that continues our commitment to the community we serve with the very limited resources available in this strained economy. My service to Capital Metro has been extremely rewarding. It has been a great honor to serve this community, to work with the many community leaders who have served on our board, and to work side by side with our talented and dedicated staff. I am very proud of the tremendous service our agency provides to the people of Central Texas every day, rain or shine. The employees’ commitment to Capital Metro and its goals has never wavered and has helped Capital Metro become one of the most reliable and responsive public services in the region.

Within the week I will have completed eight years of service to Capital Metro. It has been a great run and much has been accomplished. Notwithstanding some of our current challenges, we have created one of the more successful transit systems of our size in the country. I am tremendously proud of our accomplishments in moving the agency in the direction of a leaner, more efficient and effective organization. I am also proud of the operating improvements and expansion of the system that have been achieved during my tenure at Capital Metro. Within just a few months of my arrival on-time-performance was improved and has averaged around 90 percent and accident rates have improved dramatically. These and other commitments to operating excellence have been maintained throughout my time here. Together we have grown the system substantially during this time. We have transitioned to owning all of our own buses and facilities by adding three additional major park & rides, new bus and a rail operating facilities and a new transit center. This helps us to reduce costs and to provide maximum flexibility to Capital Metro.

I want to thank you for the support and guidance you have given me. I will forever be grateful to you and the organization for having given me the opportunity to be a part of the accomplishments and the great times we have had over the past eight years.

I did not come to this decision easily. After discussing this with my family and considering my personal goals and my continuing journey as an individual, I believe I made the right decision. I also believe this is an opportune time to consider a change in leadership. It provides you and the new members of the board who will be appointed later this year the ability to start fresh with a new leader.

I know that there is still unfinished business that will need attention before someone new can be brought aboard. To maintain stability in the organization through such a transition, I recommend that an interim President/CEO with thorough knowledge of Capital Metro be named immediately effective on my departure on October 16th. I believe appointing a person within Capital Metro would provide the least disruption to the organization, employees and the community. I have explored several succession plan options in preparation for this day that I would be happy to share with you at your request.

I am prepared to assist the board and the interim President/CEO in any way you feel I can contribute. As many of you know I am very familiar with the industry leaders and have had the privilege of working with many of them throughout the country over the years and can serve as a resource to the board and this agency.

After 48 years of service in the public transportation industry, I look forward to serving Capital Metro and this community as a volunteer. Thanks again for the ride. It has been my pleasure to serve you and this great community.

Thank you,

Fred Gilliam
President/CEO

Media Advisory: Fred Gilliam will be available for interviews this afternoon. Please contact Communications staff to schedule.

ABOUT CAPITAL METRO Capital Metro’s mission is to provide quality public transportation choices for our community that meet the needs of our growing region. With the highest per capita ridership in Texas, Capital Metro serves more than 3,000 bus stops with metro, flyer and express routes and UT Shuttle service. Capital Metro also provides MetroAccess service for passengers with disabilities, van and carpool coordination, and freight rail service.

Capital MetroRail is a new passenger rail system expected to begin soon between the City of Leander and the Convention Center in Downtown Austin. MetroRail is part of the All Systems Go Long-Range Transit Plan that includes expanded local and express bus service, MetroRapid bus service, and new and improved park and ride lots. For more information, including an online trip planner and a commute cost calculator, visit www.capmetro.org or call (512) 474-1200.