Samuel (Sam) Desue, Jr., who has provided strategic leadership of transportation services in Seattle and Kansas City, has been named the Chief Operating Officer of TriMet. He will begin March 18.
TriMet says Desue brings more than 22 years of public and private transportation experience to his role and will lead the agency’s Transportation and Maintenance divisions. He will also oversee TriMet’s Information Technology (IT) Division and provide leadership to the Safety and Security Division. Desue’s top priority will be to ensure a commitment to policies and practices that demonstrate safety as the agency’s fundamental value.
Desue previously worked for Pierce Transit and Community Transit in Washington state where he directed transportation services, oversaw ground transportation at SeaTac International Airport and operations at Seattle Monorail. During his time with Pierce Transit he helped redesign a 30-year-old transit route system to better address travel patterns. He also reduced operating costs, improved productivity, established employee training and support programs, implemented a new radio system and Computer Aided Dispatch/Automatic Vehicle Location (CAD/AVL) system and grew customer satisfaction.
He then moved to Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) to serve as director transportation before being named COO, interim general manager and most recently, deputy chief executive officer. TriMet says that Desue set priorities for KCATA during his tenure, developed a five-year strategic plan; improved on-time performance; promoted industry best practices and technologies to benefit the customer experience; implemented a safety/security task force; and forged strong partnerships with community and business groups, first responders and city leaders.
“Sam brings a reputation for performance-driven leadership with a commitment to safety, so he will be a great fit here at TriMet,” said TriMet General Manager Doug Kelsey. “I’m excited TriMet will gain from Sam’s expertise and his focus using strategic planning to implement on the street improvements that benefit transit riders.”
“Transit is critical to the citizens of the Portland metro area,” said Desue. “I look forward to partnering with the general manager to set TriMet on a strategic path for the future.”
Desue serves on the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Board of Directors and on the APTA Operators Committee. He is a veteran, serving nearly 11 years in the U.S. Army.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
