Dawn Gabay Retires from TheRide after 42 Years of Dedicated Service

Dawn Gabay, the deputy CEO, chief of operations of The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) announced her retirement, effective March 3, 2017.

Gabay dedicated forty-two years to the organization. She began working with TheRide in 1975 and served many positions including a motor coach operator, dispatcher, supervisor, manager, assistant executive director, and interim CEO before beginning her role as deputy CEO in October of 2009.

TheRide CEO Matt Carpenter thanked Gabay for her dedication, “It is so rare to find someone willing to dedicate their career to one team. Dawn is very well respected in the community and has touched numerous lives. The organization will not be the same without Dawn. It has been a true pleasure working with her and she will be missed.”

“Dawn has been a strong common thread in this organization and with her we’ve always felt that we were in caring and competent hands. She has done her job with great force and great results, but with great humility, and has always put everyone at ease,” said Eric Mahler, board of directors chairman.

During Gabay’s tenure as deputy CEO, TheRide saw their largest service expansion in the history of the agency in May of 2016 and reached over 6 million rides. Local 171 Transport Workers United Union was formed, the agency developed a Local Advisory Council, implemented a partnership with the University of Michigan, and began an airport shuttle service all during Gabay’s time with TheRide.

In honor of Gabay, Mahler announced that the organization is renaming their main office at 2700 S. Industrial Highway, the Dawn Gabay Operations Center. The facility will have new signage installed at a later date to include this dedication.

“I’ve learned from each and every team member in the organization and would like to thank everyone that I’ve worked with. We couldn’t accomplish what we’ve accomplished without teamwork. This is also a wonderful community to work in. I am honored for the building dedication,” Dawn Gabay said.

With Gabay’s retirement, Bryan Smith has joined the team as of February 27 as the new deputy CEO, chief of operations.