Laketran Director Of Operations Honored With Under 40 Rising Star Award
Laketran (Painesville Township, OH) has announced that Matt Maier, Director of Operations, has been awarded the Ohio Public Transit Association (OPTA) Under 40 Rising Star Award. The recognition celebrates Maier’s contributions and innovative leadership in the public transit industry.
“Maier’s journey in transit began as a student bus driver at PARTA while earning a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Kent State University. His passion for transportation led him to roles at ODOT and Coach USA before joining Laketran in 2016 as Operations Manager,” according to a press release. “Within two years, Maier was promoted to Director of Operations, overseeing 236 employees and ensuring the delivery of critical services such as Dial-a-Ride, Park-n-Ride, and Local Routes for Lake County.
“During his tenure at Laketran, Maier has been instrumental in expanding and enhancing transit services to meet the growing needs of the Lake County community. Since becoming Director of Operations, Maier increased transit service hours by 62%, significantly improving access and mobility for residents to jobs. Under his leadership, Laketran achieved a remarkable 19% ridership growth in 2023, making Laketran one of the fastest transit systems in the nation to recover post-pandemic. Maier also demonstrated a strong commitment to the community by spearheading initiatives like the Lake County Mobile Food Pantry, which earned state and national recognition for addressing food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Matt Maier exemplifies the innovation, dedication, and leadership that drive Laketran’s success,” Laketran CEO Ben Capelle said. “He has been instrumental in improving transit services for our community, and his passion for public transportation inspires everyone around him. We are thrilled to see him recognized as one of the rising stars in our industry.”
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