Valley Metro Release
Contact
Susan Tierney
Communications Manager
602.523.6004 (o)
602.292.4093 (m)
For immediate release
May 30, 2014
Valley Metro CEO Named a 2014 Phoenix Most Admired Leader
PHOENIX, AZ – Steve Banta, Valley Metro CEO, was honored as one of Phoenix’s Most Admired Leadersby the Phoenix Business Journal at an awards dinner on Thursday, May 29. According to the Business Journal, the recipients are selected based on the understanding that a good leader means more than just running their company. Theintention of the award is to give worthy individuals the recognition deserved and use their example as inspiration for other companies and business leaders to achieve similar success.
“True leadership means standing firmly on your convictions despite outside pressure to move or step off,” said Banta. “I am grateful for this honor, which is shared with our Valley Metro Boards of Directors and staff who make daily strides to advance transit in the Valley.”
As CEO of Valley Metro, Banta oversees a dynamic bus and light rail system transporting 250,000 passengers daily. While managing an annual budget of $364 million, Banta partners with member cities to operate 100 local and express bus routes and a 20-mile light rail system. Banta is also charged with the planning, design and construction of 40 additional miles of future high capacity/rail extensions.
He has served in the public transit industry for 27 years, starting his career repairing rail cars in San Diego. Banta has worked in progressively responsible positions for several other public transit agencies, including in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Dallas, Pittsburgh, and Portland.
Photos:
1)Steve Banta
2)Valley Metro Board Chair, Mesa Councilmember Scott Somers (left); Steve Banta, Valley Metro CEO; Valley Metro Rail and Valley Metro Board member, Tempe Councilmember Shana Ellis (right).
About Valley Metro: Valley Metro provides eco-friendly public transit options to residents of greater Phoenix and Maricopa County including the planning and operations of a regional bus system and the development and operations of light rail. In Fiscal Year2013, total ridership for the system was 73.4 million passengers, which set a new record for bus and light rail boardings. The first 20 miles of light rail opened December 2008. Seven light rail extensions are planned or are under construction that will create a 60-mile system by 2034. Valley Metro also offers transit options includingalternative transportation programs for seniors and people with disabilities, commuter vanpools, online carpool matching, bus trip mapping, bicycle safety and telework assistance. Two Boards of Directors set the policy direction for the agency with the intent of advancing the regional public transit system. Get the latest news by following us onFacebookand Twitteror visiting valleymetro.org.
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