People on the Move: February 2026

PORTLAND, OR—Veteran TriMet employee Alan Lehto has been selected to serve as executive director of planning. In his new role, he will oversee TriMet’s planning work for service, long-range assets, and sustainability efforts. This includes the agency’s complex process of bringing service in line with funding, with the goal of resolving a $300 million annual budget gap. With the agency since 1999, Lehto’s experience includes planning TriMet’s business strategy, service, capital projects, bus stop placement, and state of good repair projects. Before TriMet, Lehto spent almost five years as a consultant, where he was mentored by author and international consultant on public transportation, Jarrett Walker. Lehto is a member of numerous APTA committees including the Sustainability Steering, Planning and Program Development Steering, and Legislative committees.

COLUMBUS, OH—The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) welcomed new chief operating officer Alicia Walker. Walker brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in public transit, multimodal transportation, and large-scale operational management. Before joining COTA, she served as general manager and acting COO at Trinity Metro where she led bus, paratransit, on-demand, and maintenance operations, while also playing a key role in labor relations and modernization initiatives. Previous experiences include leadership roles at Dallas Area Rapid Transit, LA Metro, and GTrans. She is a member of APTA’s Bus Task Force, Access Committee, and Strategic Engagement Council, among other groups.

DETROIT, MI—Detroit Transportation Corporation (DTC) appointed Cliff Powell as chief of transit police. He will oversee the law enforcement division of the Detroit People Mover as the agency continues to modernize and update its infrastructure while remaining a secure, public system that integrates into the greater Detroit transportation network. Chief Powell has two decades of experience working with the Detroit Police Department and is a member of the Police Officer Labor Council, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

DTC has also hired Melia Howard as general manager to oversee operation of the Detroit People Mover. In this role she will advance service delivery, infrastructure improvements, studies on downtown mobility, and technology enhancements. Previous deputy mayor, Howard brings leadership experience in public administration, facilitating major projects and civic engagement. Prior to her term as deputy mayor, Howard served as the mayor’s director of community engagement and began her career with the city as District 5 manager.

DENVER, CO—The Regional Transportation District (RTD) selected Lili Tran as the agency’s new chief people officer. Tran brings more than 30 years of experience in human resources involving public service, public safety, and nonprofit sectors. She previously served as chief of staff for Denver Rescue Mission, chief human resources officer for the Colorado Department of Human Services, and director of human resources for public safety at the City and County of Denver. Tran participates in the El Pomar Emerging Leaders Program’s Asian American Advisory Council and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs School of Business Career Coaching Program.

CINCINNATI, OH—Cincinnati Metro has appointed Jason Roe director of procurement, overseeing the organization’s $220 million annual capital and operating budget. Roe brings more than 25 years of experience in the transit industry, transitioning from Metro’s director of infrastructure and development programming where he oversaw an infrastructure fund program, rail right-of-way ownership and disposition activities, and contractual and procurement-related program activities. Previously held leadership roles at Metro include senior manager of procurement, inventory manager, quality assurance and quality control manager, and fleet maintenance supervisor. Roe serves on APTA’s Mobility Management and Procurement and Supply Chain committees.

SAN DIEGO, CA—Daniel Brislin was promoted to director of transit security and passenger safety of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS). Breslin was previously MTS deputy director of transit security and passenger safety where he helped implement initiatives—such as increased officer training and security outposts—that reduced crime across the transit network during 2025. Brislin brings a data-driven approach to crime reduction strategies, informed by analysis of crime trends on the transit system. Brislin is an honorably retired San Diego County Sheriff’s Commander.

OCEANSIDE, CA—North County Transit – San Diego Railroad (NCTD) appointed Adrienne L. Johnson as deputy chief people officer, Ioni Tcholakova as director of service planning, and hired Baker Alloush as director of facilities. With more than 17 years of experience in human resources, Johnsonhas led strategic initiatives in talent management, organizational design, and regulatory compliance. For the past year, she has served as NCTD’s human resources director. Prior to joining NCTD, Johnson held leadership roles for organizations such as CVS Health and Starbucks, where she implemented key human resources strategies across multi-state regions. Johnson currently serves as the vice president of the San Diego Chapter of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO).

In her new role as director of service planning, Tcholakova will support NCTD’s mission to provide safe, reliable, and innovative transportation services. During her time at NCTD, she has led planning efforts for major service changes, conducted complex route and GIS analyses, coordinated stakeholder engagement for NCTD+ microtransit services, and managed multiple Caltrans-funded planning initiatives focused on access, safety, and mobility. Prior to joining NCTD, Tcholakova served as a mobility solutions coordinator with the County of Hawai’i.

In his role as director of facilities, Alloush will oversee NCTD facilities management. Alloush has more than 15 years of experience in facilities and maintenance operations management and has led initiatives in formulating, tracking, facilitating, and closing work orders involving large-scale departmental moves and technology updates. Prior to joining NCTD, he served as the director of facilities and maintenance operations at Coachella Valley Unified School District.