Rachelle Glazier has joined TriMet as the new executive director of transportation operations.
Glazier will direct all operational activities for TriMet’s bus, MAX light rail, WES commuter rail and LIFT paratransit service.
Glazier has more than 16 years of experience with some of the largest railroads and transit systems within the United States. Most recently, Rachelle served as general manager of U.S. Network Operations for the Canadian National Railway, stationed in Homewood, Ill. Prior to that, she worked as chief officer of stations and operations at New York City Transit.
“Rachelle comes to TriMet with the perfect blend of skills and experience to lead this large and complex division and the individuals who make up this hard-working team,” said TriMet General Manager Sam Desue, Jr. “She will work in support of our goals surrounding service reliability, efficiency, safety, continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.”
This will be a homecoming of sorts for Glazier. She spent her early years of her railroad career in Eastern Oregon, where she served for 13 years in maintenance and operations at Union Pacific Railroad, working her way up from a locomotive machinist to director of mechanical maintenance. Glazier has also worked as a certified Journeyman Machinist/Mechanic with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Union.
“I am honored and excited to be relocating to Oregon for the opportunity to serve as TriMet’s executive director of transportation operations,” said Glazier. “My set of professional experiences include executive positions in public transit, heavy rail, logistics and operations, all of which I believe are important to execute a transportation plan that serves the needs of the public and keeps safety front and center.”
Earlier this year, Glazier was named one of Railway Age Magazine’s 20 “Fast Trackers”— top North American railroaders under the age of 40 making an impact in their respective fields or within their companies in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Glazier says she is eager to return to the Pacific Northwest and spend time with family here. Her first day at TriMet will be Aug. 16.
