The Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority (StanRTA) has named Adam Barth to serve as the first permanent CEO of the authority effective Jan. 1, 2022. Barth succeeds Interim CEO Philip McGuire who was provided leadership following the merger of transit services provided by Stanislaus County and the city of Modesto in January 2021.
The StanRTA Board of Directors overwhelmingly approved Barth’s appointment as the new CEO at its December board meeting. The position plans, organizes, manages, supervises, and administers the activities, operations, and services of StanRTA in addition to ensuring that the service provided by StanRTA effectively meets the needs of users. Barth will also be responsible for the effective implementation of Board policies and for the development of organizational objectives designed to ensure the success of the agency’s future operation.
Barth was the transit manager for the Modesto Area Express before it combined services with Stanislaus Regional Transit to form the authority last January. He has served as StanRTA’s director of operations and planning since July 2021. His selection was the culmination of a nationwide search to fill the position.
“Adam is approachable, effective, and is passionate about the Stanislaus community,” said Jenny Kenoyer, chair of the StanRTA board. “He has proven to be a proactive leader who takes initiative and is confident in his decision-making, which is exactly what we were looking for.”
Barth earned a Bachelor of Science in Geography from Brigham Young University and will earn a Master of Science in Transportation Management from San Jose State’s Mineta Institute in May 2022. He also completed the American Public Transportation Association’s Leadership APTA program in October 2015.
Before becoming the Transit Manager in Modesto in 2016, Barth was the Transportation Manager of Fairbanks North Star Borough in Alaska from June 2010 to April 2016. There he was responsible for the operation of the Metropolitan Area Commuter System (MACS) fixed route and ADA paratransit systems. This included grant oversight and compliance with FTA regulations and reporting. He also implemented a technology system to provide real-time bus tracking information to the public. While in Fairbanks, he increased ridership on the fixed-route system by more than 19 percent.
Barth previously held several positions at Holland America/Princess Cruises in Alaska from 2000 to 2010, including transportation manager. He directed tour operations and conducted leadership development of over 100 full-time staff and seasonal employees. He also managed the operating budgets for transportation and training and was involved in the Fairbanks community to promote the company and build relationships with business members.
He volunteered on the Board of Directors of the Alaska Mobility Coalition as president and vice chair, was the Transportation Chair of the Arctic Winter Games in 2014 and was featured in Mass Transit magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2014. In 2019, Barth was awarded CalACT’s Rising Star Award which honors emerging leaders in public transportation who demonstrate outstanding achievement in operations, management, and development of new or innovative programs or leadership in their region or transit agency.
