Patrick Preusser
Transportation Executive
CV
“Success is being proactive and preventing problems through research, analysis, and the implementation of smart practices.”
“Focus on teamwork and results, remain open-minded and flexible, take time to celebrate accomplishments, and insist on success.”

Professional info
I believe in being a strategic, thoughtful, and effective leader. I have more than 27 years of experience in the transportation industry including fixed-route bus, rail (freight, intercity, long-distance, commuter, light rail, subway, metro, and streetcar), and paratransit services with a proven ability to foster relationships, cultivate a diverse workforce, create inclusive environments, manage performance, oversee financial resources, and lead through change.
I bring expertise in planning (e.g., business, financial, strategic), safety, operations, maintenance, finance, performance management, and project management.
I enjoy working in capital-intensive and complex service environments.
Engaging a diverse workforce and the community to pursue a shared vision has contributed to my success.
Work experience
Utah Transit Authority
2024 - Present
I love that UTA connects our communities and improves quality of life. The opportunity to increase mobility during its next chapter of growth and serve the Wasatch Front is exhilarating.
I am honored to lead an extraordinary team to Innovate and Integrate our System, Deliver Excellence, Develop our People, Cultivate an Inclusive Culture, Safeguard our Future, and Protect our Environment.
City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services
2019 - 2024
I was fortunate to oversee a team of remarkable talent to implement the Mayor’s vision and provide strategic leadership for the Department of Transportation Services. Led daily business activities across the department including integrated fixed-route bus, paratransit, and driverless metro system.
TriMet
2016 - 2019
Saudi Railway Company
2016 - 2016
I had the privilege of guiding an exceptionally skilled team to introduce Higher-Speed Passenger Rail service over a 1,400-kilometer route linking Riyadh to Qurayyat near the Jordanian border. This included systems integration testing, trial operations, system demonstration, vehicle testing, and commissioning activities for CAF push-pull train sets, which can operate at speeds more than 200 km per hour.
LA Metro
2013 - 2016
Oversaw an accomplished team and led the daily business activities for light rail, subway, Operations Control Center, field operations, workforce planning, training, social media, and special projects. Provided policy direction for railway safety and operations, established strategic goals/objectives, set priorities for operations, and provided solutions to organizational problems including service recovery. Developed and implemented budgets and business plans for operations. Monitored expenditures to ensure costs were in line with finances.
Characteristics
Honest
Forward-looking
Competent
Awards
U.S. Secretary of Transportation’s:
Foreign Service Award
Team Award
Excellence Award
Certifications
Affiliations
Education
University of Southern California
Masters of Science - Public Administration
GPA 3.86
The program is designed to prepare leaders for public service and improve governance and management of public organizations. Coursework included the following: Statistical Foundations for Public Management and Policy, Intersectoral Leadership, Economics for Policy, Planning, and Development, Public Administration and Society, Professional Practice of Public Administration, Public Financial Management and Budgeting, Policy and Program Evaluation, Human Behavior in Public Organizations, Urban Planning and Social Policy, Urban Transportation Planning and Management, Legal Environment of Planning, Strategic Planning in the Public Sector, and Capstone in Public Administration.
University of Denver
Masters of Science - Intermodal Transportation Management
GPA 3.89 Magna Cum Lauda
The program is designed to prepare leaders for the technological innovations and globalization affecting the transportation industry. The program focuses on multimodal transportation systems that move people and goods efficiently, economically, safely and securely, in an environment that maximizes the strengths of each mode and weaknesses are minimized. Coursework included the following: Leadership Development, Transportation Management, Global Value Chain Management, Transportation Law and Regulations, Transportation Economics, Transportation Financial Strategies, Quantitative Tools for Transportation Management, Transportation Marketing and Sales Tools, and Intermodal Business Planning.

