Spokane Transit appoints Brandon Rapez-Betty as COO

The Spokane Transit Authority (STA) elected Brandon Rapez-Betty as its new chief operations officer.

Rapez-Betty joined STA in 2018 as Director of Communications and Customer Service and a member of the leadership team. He first joined STA in 2014 as a Senior Communication Specialist and was promoted to Customer and Community Relations Manager in 2017. In recognition of his leadership skills, he was soon given responsibility for the customer service department as well as Plaza operations.

In 2017, Rapez-Betty was named a “Rising Star” by the Spokane Journal of Business and one of the “40 Under 40” by Mass Transit Magazine. He recently graduated from the Washington State Transit Association’s leadership program, Transit’s Next Leader Institute.

Rapez-Betty holds a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from Eastern Washington University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho. He served in the US Peacekeeping Corps in the Dominican Republic for nearly two and a half years, teaching and implementing environmental health projects. Before joining STA, he spent five years supporting community building and economic development efforts in the University District by working for the Downtown Spokane Partnership. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the University District Development Association.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve STA and the people of our region in this new capacity,” said Rapez-Betty. “I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead as we work to bring new systems, technologies and enhanced mass transit services to the cities we serve.”

Perhaps the most important perspective Rapez-Betty will bring to his new role leading a very capable operations team is his understanding and commitment to the customer experience. In his current position, he has improved the style and quality of STA’s communications with customers and employees, and enhanced the desirability of traffic information. He has led technology projects to make real-time data even more useful for drivers.

As Chief Operations Officer, Rapez-Betty will oversee scheduled bus services, paratransit services and the vanpool program, including transportation activities, vehicle maintenance and facility maintenance. He will manage approximately $58 million per year in human resources and operating budgets with over 600 employees.

“Brandon has been extremely successful in his current role. I am confident that with his open-minded leadership style and customer focus, he will be just as successful in leading our operations team,” said E. Susan Meyer, CEO of STA.

Rapez-Betty took over the management of the operations department on January 3rd. The search for a new Director of Communications and Customer Service will begin shortly.