Jim O’Sullivan, who had a long career as both a transit executive and consultant, passed away April 21. He was 70.
O’Sullivan’s public transportation career spanned nearly five decades and comprised two distinguished halves. The first was as a transit agency executive, serving and general manager or CEO in Honolulu, Oakland, Hampton Roads, Va., and Lowell, Mass., and as the chief development officer of Central New York Regional Transportation Authority in Syracuse, N.Y.
In the second half of his career, O’Sullivan was a vice president at WSP USA and Parsons Brinckerhoff. He led or served in the project leadership of signature bus and rail transit projects throughout the country, including Minneapolis’ Hiawatha Corridor Light Rail Project, a restructuring of both AC Transit’s and San Francisco Muni’s bus networks, Atlanta’s Beltline and Streetcar and Toronto’s Transit City Light Rail Program.
O’Sullivan served on many committees, tasks forces and boards throughout his long career. He was a member of the American Public Transportation Association’s executive committee and its board of directors, and he chaired its Operations and Elderly and Disabled (now Access) Committees. He also served on the boards of several regional and state public transportation associations, as well as several other transportation-related government agencies.
He is survived by Connie, his wife of 46 years, one daughter, Casey (Zachary) Yoklic, and one granddaughter, Evelyn.
Donations in memory of James L. Sullivan to Duke HomeCare and Hospice are welcomed. Donations can be made at https://www.gifts.duke.edu/dmaa. Select Duke Home care and Hospice from the drop-down menu.
