Terry White was recently named Deputy General Manager of Operations for Metro Transit. White, who began his career with Metro in 1987 as a part-time customer service representative, now oversees Metro Operations — which includes bus, rail, and marine service, and facilities and vehicle maintenance. He reports directly to General Manager Rob Gannon.
White’s history with Metro dates back to the 5thgrade while riding the Route 7 to and from school. A Metro driver allowed White to operate a hand-crank that changed the route sign on the side of the bus. White says he was inspired by drivers who looked out for him and showed him kindness.
“I understood at an early age how public transit can make a difference for people and their families,” said White, a Seattle native who joined Metro after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Organization from Central Washington University. “People put their trust in Metro every day to get to work or school, or to provide family members with reliable transportation to jobs and new opportunities. I am committed to building on that trust by delivering excellence in public transit service, encouraging compassion and dedication in our employees, and promoting a strong sense of community for all who ride Metro.”
At Metro, White has worked as a transportation planner, customer service administrator, communications superintendent, and managing director of bus operations. He oversaw several changes to improve Metro bus operations, including new standards for the pre-trip inspections of buses; a new electronic sign-in system for operators; and equipping supervisors with laptops to enable them to work from the field and interact more with bus operators. White also was instrumental in designing systems used by Metro’s customer service offices and oversaw improvements to King County’s revenue processing center.
White succeeds former Deputy General Manager Victor Obeso, who retired in March after 30 years with Metro. Obeso was a key figure in Metro’s long-range planning, and served central roles in developing Metro’s six RapidRide Lines.
“Metro is one of the best and most innovative transit agencies in the country because of dedicated public servants like Terry White and Victor Obeso,” Metro’s General Manager Rob Gannon said. “Terry is a steady leader with a constant focus on improving our system — he will not miss a beat in keeping Metro service running safely and reliably. I thank Victor for his many years of service. He left an imprint that will benefit Metro and its customers for years to come.
