Caver will take over for outgoing CEO Shawn M. Donaghy
The C-TRAN Board of Directors this week unanimously selected Leann M. Caver as C-TRAN’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective March 1. Caver will take over for outgoing CEO Shawn M. Donaghy, who was recently appointed Chief Executive Officer of the North County Transit District in San Diego County, Calif.
Caver will become the sixth Chief Executive Officer in C-TRAN’s 43-year history. She currently serves as C-TRAN’s Deputy CEO.
“C-TRAN is an incredible agency with an amazing team, and I’m excited for the opportunity to serve Southwest Washington in this new role,” Caver said. “We have accomplished a lot together already, and I know there’s an even brighter future ahead. I’m grateful to the C-TRAN board and staff for their support.”
Caver brings 20 years of experience in public transportation, starting as a coach operator. She spent 17 years at TriMet in various roles before joining C-TRAN’s Operations team in 2021. While at C-TRAN, Caver has also served as Manager of Operations, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion/Organizational Development, Chief Operations Officer, and now Deputy CEO. She is a graduate of Warner Pacific University in Portland, Ore.
“C-TRAN is already an award-winning agency, and I’m confident that Leann is the right person to continue that momentum and build on the success that we’ve achieved,” said C-TRAN board chair and Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. “We’re very fortunate to have someone of Leann’s caliber ready to step in.”
“There’s no substitute for experience, and the breadth of Leann’s background in public transportation and in this community is impressive,” said C-TRAN board vice chair and Washougal City Councilor Molly Coston. “Leann is uniquely equipped to lead C-TRAN during this important time.”
Donaghy leaves C-TRAN after a nearly 7-year tenure as CEO, which has coincided with one of the most eventful and transformative periods in C-TRAN history. During that time:
- C-TRAN was twice named APTA’s North American Transit System of the Year, in 2019 and 2022.
- C-TRAN successfully launched The Vine on Mill Plain, Southwest Washington’s second bus rapid transit line, with planning and design underway for two additional lines on Highway 99 and East Fourth Plain/162nd Avenue.
- C-TRAN acquired and remodeled a new Administration headquarters in 2019.
- C-TRAN made significant investments in workforce development through pay parity for paratransit operators and changes to its Maintenance pay scales to reflect emerging technologies such as battery-electric and hydrogen infrastructure.
- C-TRAN constructed a major expansion of its Maintenance and Operations facilities, slated to open in spring 2024.
- C-TRAN rolled out its first battery-electric buses and adopted a zero-emission bus transition plan, also including hydrogen fuel cell technology.
- The Current, C-TRAN’s on-demand microtransit service, launched in 2022.
- C-TRAN, in partnership with TriMet and Portland Streetcar, launched Hop Fastpass, a state-of-the-art electronic fare system and the first in North America to integrate with Apple Wallet.
- C-TRAN expanded its Youth Opportunity Pass program to provide free transportation to all youths 18 and under. C-TRAN also created its Heroes Pass for Veterans and active military, its Refugee Pass, and continued to provide free access through partnerships with Clark College, WSU Vancouver and Workforce Southwest Washington.
Caver steps into the role of CEO with several major projects and initiatives still on the horizon. Those include two future Vine corridors, serving Highway 99 and East Fourth Plain/162nd Avenue, and a comprehensive update to C-TRAN’s long-range plan.
C-TRAN is the regional public transportation provider for Clark County. It offers Local bus service within its Clark County service area, plus Regional and Express bus service to Portland. C-TRAN also provides on-demand service with The Current, operating in Camas/Washougal, Ridgefield/La Center, WSU Vancouver/Salmon Creek, Rose Village, and the Port of Vancouver. For more information on C-TRAN please visit C-TRAN’s website at www.c-tran.com, or call Customer Service at 360-695-0123.
Also read:
- Opinion: TriMet Better Red cost allocation revealed
John Ley examines TriMet’s $204 million Better Red project, showing most of the spending wasn’t on vehicles or tracks—raising questions about cost transparency and regional funding. - Opinion: Neighbors for a Better Crossing calls for a current seismic study for $7.5 Billion Interstate Bridge project
Neighbors for a Better Crossing is urging a new seismic study before construction proceeds on the $7.5 billion IBR project, raising transparency concerns and proposing an immersed tube tunnel alternative. - Rep. John Ley supports C-TRAN Bus Rapid Transit to save Washington moneyRep. John Ley praised C-TRAN’s new BRT line as a faster, lower-cost alternative to light rail, urging support for transit options that save taxpayers money and improve service.
- C-TRAN, WSU Vancouver celebrates groundbreaking for The Vine on Highway 99C-TRAN and WSU Vancouver broke ground on the Vine’s Highway 99 route, a 9-mile bus rapid transit line connecting the university to downtown Vancouver and the Waterfront, set to open in 2027.
- C-TRAN board again postpones vote on light rail operations and maintenance costsThe C-TRAN board again postponed a vote on language regarding operations and maintenance costs tied to light rail expansion, with pending lawsuits involving Michelle Belkot continuing to impact board actions.
