Transdev announced Katrina Heineking has been promoted from general manager of Transdev’s contract with Valley Metro in Phoenix, Arizona, to regional vice president of the company’s Southwest Region of the Transit Division. In her new role, Heineking will be responsible for overseeing some of the company’s larger contracts, including operations and maintenance contracts for Foothill Transit, San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System, Valley Metro and paratransit operations for the Regional Transportation Commission in Las Vegas.
Heineking has held progressively senior positions managing transit agencies on all levels, starting in Zanesville, Ohio, at the outset of her career before moving to the Charlotte Area Transit System as the assistant general manager. Since joining Transdev 12 years ago, she has helped expand service operations and oversaw the first LEED-certified transit facility in Tucson, lowered passenger complaints by 56 percent and increased miles between road calls by 25 percent in Austin, Texas, and more recently implemented a 20 percent service expansion for the 900-employee Valley Metro transit operation in Phoenix.
“Throughout her exceptional career in public transit, Katrina has continually developed creative solutions to problems that benefit our clients and our customers. Her distinguished record shows what an asset she is to this company,” said Mike Murray, president of Transdev Services Inc. “Everyone is excited to see what she can accomplish with this expanded role. As we continue to grow, Katrina’s expertise in transit-related solutions will be invaluable.”
Heineking is an avid public transit enthusiast, spending the entirety of her 21-year career involved with improving service at every level. Since 2008, she has served as a board member of the Arizona Public Transit Association (AzTA), where she currently serves as president for the Association. She also serves as board member of the Southwest Transit Association (SWTA) and the Friends of Transit Board in Phoenix.
Well known throughout the public transit industry, Heineking has garnered numerous awards during her career: 2011 ADOT/AzTA Excellent Award, “Outstanding Transit Individual” Award, 2010 Tucson Business Weekly, “Woman of Influence” Award, 2009 WTS, Tucson Chapter, “Outstanding Person of the Year” Award, 2009 AzTA “Outstanding Transit Innovation Award”, Sun Van, 2008 FTA’s Annual Award for “Success in Enhancing Ridership,” 2008 PTM, “General Manager of the Year” Award, 2008-2007 Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Achievement Award, and the 2000 Ohio Public Transit Association, (OPTA) “Transit Person of the Year.”
Heineking holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and has completed additional coursework in human resources management, federal procurement and grants management, labor negotiations skills, transit planning and public private partnership.
