Shaw will also oversee the agency’s Safety and Security department

C-TRAN has appointed Annette Shaw to serve as the agency’s chief operating officer, effective today (Feb. 1). Shaw most recently served at MARTA, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority in Atlanta, GA. In her new role, she will be responsible for C-TRAN’s largest division with oversight of fixed-route operations, paratransit, and The Current on-demand service. This includes C-TRAN’s supervisory teams that work in the radio command center, on-street, Operations Administration, and training. 

Shaw will also oversee the agency’s Safety and Security department. This critical position will help build the C-TRAN 2045 plan, a long-range comprehensive transit initiative that includes two additional bus rapid transit lines, future service expansions, and additional zero-emission vehicles as outlined in the agency’s Zero Emission Bus Transition Plan.

“I am honored to begin my role at C-TRAN, an organization recognized and celebrated for its outstanding contributions to the public transportation sector. My journey, which started behind the wheel as a bus operator, has equipped me with an understanding of the day-to-day operations in delivering service and the critical importance of safety in our industry,” Shaw said. “I am particularly mindful of the challenges faced by our workforce, including the serious issue of transit worker assaults. Mitigating these risks will be one of my top priorities, ensuring a safe and secure working environment for our dedicated employees and our passengers.”

Shaw, an Indiana University graduate, has held several key roles during her impressive transit career, starting as a bus operator for MARTA. She also operated both light rail and heavy rail during her time there, eventually holding the positions of Rail Supervisor, Rail Instructor, and Safety Operational Officer. In 2018, Shaw continued her career at TriMet in Portland, Ore., as the Assistant Manager of the Operations Command Center, where she had full oversight of rail controllers and bus dispatchers. This position included the control and direction of real-time service delivery for all bus and MAX rail services. She then returned to MARTA, and in her most recent role held the critical position of Manager of Investigations, which has direct responsibility for MARTA’s bus and rail accident and incident investigations that delivered analysis and reporting to regulatory agencies. She has extensive knowledge of state and federal regulatory codes as well as implementation and execution of safety risk management.

“It was clear that Annette’s background in operations and safety were a perfect match to continue the work being done by our world-class employees,” said Leann M. Caver, C-TRAN’s newly appointed Chief Executive Officer. “Any opportunity to add a resume and skill set of this caliber to our organization will undoubtedly take this agency to the next level.”

C-TRAN’s outgoing Chief Executive Officer Shawn M. Donaghy noted, “This is an incredible opportunity to bring in a leader with a proven track record of operational excellence, and a focus on the safety and security of our employees and our customers. This is a huge win for C-TRAN and our amazing community.”

In addition to her work serving as MARTA’s Department of Safety subject matter expert in rail and bus operations, she is an Associate Instructor for the Transportation Safety Institute. Shaw also holds a Transit Safety and Security Program Certificate, and has completed the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program in bus and rail operations. She is also an active member of the American Public Transportation Association.

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 visit C-TRAN’s website at www.c-tran.com, or call Customer Service at (360) 695-0123.