Metro Transit in the Twin Cities has named Brian Funk as the agency’s deputy general manager and chief operating officer. Funk has served as acting deputy general manager and COO following the June 2021 retirement of Vince Pellegrin.
Funk will help develop budgets, lead labor negotiations and coordinate emergency procedures and other responsibilities.
“From experience, I know there are hardworking and talented people across the organization who are eager to take us into the future,” Funk said. “One of the most exciting parts of this role is the chance to support and celebrate that work.”
While working on his degree at Iowa State University, Funk began his transit career operating a city bus. He joined Metro Transit in 2002 as a Transit Control Center supervisor and has served as an assistant transportation manager, garage manager, assistant director-field operations and director of light-rail operations. He was named deputy chief operating officer-bus in 2016.
Funk served as the executive sponsor for the Metropolitan Council’s first Employee Resource Group, Advancing Women in Transit, and has served as a mentor through the Council’s MentoringWorks program. He is a 2019 graduate of Leadership APTA and in 2020 was recognized by the Minnesota Public Transit Association as the state’s transit professional of the year.
