Michael Harbour to join Sound Transit as Deputy CEO

Intercity Transit leader brings 35 years of transit experience

CEO Joni Earl announced today that Michael Harbour, a 17-year veteran of Olympia's Intercity Transit, will join Sound Transit as Deputy CEO.

"Mike will be a great addition to the Sound Transit team," said Earl. "He brings more than 35 years of experience in the public transportation industry, with 25 of those years leading transit organizations. Under Mike's leadership, Intercity Transit and his previous agency in Georgia were both recognized by the American Public Transportation Association for outstanding achievement and excellence. This year he was selected Boss of the Year by the Olympia-Thurston County Chamber of Commerce. I am very excited that Mike has agreed to bring his tremendous knowledge and leadership skills to Sound Transit."

"I am very excited to join Sound Transit and look forward to working with Joni and the Sound Transit staff and board," Harbour said. "It is an exciting and challenging time for Sound Transit and I hope I can contribute to the continuing growth and success of the agency and region."

Harbour will join Sound Transit effective Oct. 29. As Deputy CEO he will play key roles in maintaining safe and efficient operations of Sound Transit trains and buses and managing the planning and construction of more than 30 miles of light rail extensions in the coming decade. He will lead the agency's annual budget process.

At Intercity Transit, Harbour oversees more than 300 employees and an annual operating budget of $30 million. He is credited with maintaining strong community involvement and high employee morale while guiding the organization through significant funding challenges, including a 40 percent service reduction in 2000 following the passage of Initiative 695 and more recently the impacts of the national recession.

In 2002, Harbour led the development of a funding restoration measure approved by 58 percent of Intercity Transit voters. In 2010, 64 percent of voters approved a measure for modest service increases that are helping to fuel the Olympia area's economic recovery.

Previously, Harbour worked eight years as general manager of the Chatham Area Transportation Authority in Savannah, Georgia, overseeing significant service expansions and a 35 percent increase in ridership. Earlier industry roles included serving as assistant general manager to Tri County Transit in Orlando, Florida; senior consultant at ATE Management and Service Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio; transit coordinator for the Mayor's Office of Transit Administration in New Orleans, Louisiana; and director of planning for the Metropolitan Transit Authority in Nashville, Tennessee. Harbour received a bachelor's degree in engineering from Vanderbilt University.