Three experienced transit professionals have been promoted within C-Tran’s leadership ranks. Laura Merry has been named chief of staff, Leann Caver has been named chief operations officer and Tim Shellenberger has been named chief maintenance officer.
Merry has been with C-TRAN since 2006 when she began in risk management before moving to human resources and advancing through the ranks. She most recently served as C-TRAN’s chief administrative and safety officer, with oversight of several of the agency’s key departments, including Information Technology and Human Resources. In addition, she will also be working within Intergovernmental Relations, as well as the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project. The agency notes Merry’s work on risk mitigation, agency policy redesign and IT infrastructure upgrades have helped ensure C-TRAN’s continued growth is seamless. She is a member of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Washington State Transit Association (WSTA), Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) and WTS International, in addition to holding an SPHR and SHRM-CP certification in Human Resource Management.
Caver has worked in public transit since 2004 when she began as a coach operator and has gained extensive experience at both C-TRAN and TriMet in Portland, Ore. Caver has a history from oversight of TriMet’s bus and rail operations command centers to C-TRAN’s Operations Management Division and Dispatch. Her work on C-TRAN’s Organizational Development and DEI programs and in her previous role as director of organizational development and DEI has helped continue building a pathway and providing resources for all C-TRAN employees. In her new role, Caver will be responsible for all aspects of C-TRAN’s operations divisions, including fixed route, paratransit, microtransit, radio control/field operations and administrative personnel. Caver is a member of APTA, COMTO, WTS International and partners with the Portland Metropolitan Hispanic Chamber.
Shellenberger has been with C-TRAN since 1998 and is described as a staple of the agency’s maintenance department for more than two decades. Shellenberger has been an integral part of the numerous technological advancements, fleet changes and the industry’s critical push into zero-emission technology. C-TRAN will roll out its first series of all-electric buses under his leadership in 2023 and will soon expand into hydrogen fuel cell technology. He has served in multiple capacities at C-TRAN, including maintenance training supervisor, fleet manager and, most recently, director of maintenance. Shellenberger is a former National Transit Institute instructor and continues to work closely with C-TRAN’s local colleges on apprenticeship programing and mechanical instruction. Shellenberger continues to lead and support the WSTA Maintenance group, as well as state and local Roadeo competitions.
“As we continue to push forward with agency projects such as our Operations and Maintenance facility reconstruction, the build/expansion of service through our three additional bus-rapid-transit lines and our zero-emission fleet transition, it was critical for us to have the leadership in place to ensure our successes in all aspects of the organization,” said C-TRAN CEO Shawn M. Donaghy. “It is even more rewarding they are already part of our incredible team.”
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.
