TransLink today announced Kevin Quinn as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The TransLink Board of Directors made the appointment following a competitive international candidate search and thorough review process. He takes on the role beginning July 19, 2021.

Kevin is currently the Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), overseeing one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States. With a mix of six transit modes, including buses, subway, light rail, paratransit, and commuter bus and rail, and over 100 million passengers a year, MTA has strong parallels to TransLink.

“We look forward to welcoming Kevin Quinn to the TransLink enterprise, which will benefit from his bold, innovative, and customer-centred approach to leadership,” said Tony Gugliotta, Chair of TransLink’s Board of Directors. “As TransLink prepares to welcome back more customers to transit and launch a robust ridership recovery plan, we are thrilled to have Kevin lead TransLink into its next chapter.”

In his new role, Kevin will lead TransLink’s post-pandemic recovery, with an emphasis on rebuilding ridership, achieving financial sustainability, supporting employees, and continuing to deliver a reliable and thriving transportation system for Metro Vancouver.

Kevin has served as CEO of the MTA since 2017, focusing on customer experience and employee engagement, overseeing the development of customer-facing real-time tracking technology for local bus and commuter rail service, and introducing the agency’s first mobile payment app. Prior to his role as CEO, Kevin was the Director of Planning and Programming for MTA, responsible for implementing a complete overhaul and rebranding of the core transit system, including the introduction of new, high-frequency bus lines.

Kevin holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Kevin was recognized as a Top 40 under 40 transit professional in Mass Transit Magazine. As an avid runner, he is looking forward to exploring the region’s great trails and Vancouver’s world-famous seawall. Kevin will be moving to the Metro Vancouver region with his wife and two children in the months ahead, while following all public health guidelines.

TransLink’s Board of Directors would like to thank Gigi Chen-Kuo for stepping into the Interim CEO role and providing a tremendous service to the region over the last several months. Gigi has been serving as interim CEO since Kevin Desmond resigned from the role in February 2021, following five successful years leading TransLink through a significant growth phase that included major system expansion, improved reliability, and record-setting ridership growth.

Kevin Quinn Biography

Kevin Quinn is the incoming Chief Executive Officer for TransLink, Metro Vancouver’s transportation authority.

Kevin is currently the Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the U.S. with six transit modes, including buses, subway, light rail, paratransit, and commuter bus and rail. He also oversees the construction of a new 25-km light rail line outside Washington, D.C., which is currently the largest transit public-private partnership in the U.S.

Kevin started his tenure as CEO of MTA in 2017, focusing on customer experience and employee engagement, overseeing the development of customer-facing real-time tracking technology for local bus and commuter rail service and introducing the agency’s first mobile payment app, CharmPass.

Prior to serving as CEO, Kevin was the Director of Planning and Programming for MTA. In this role, he was responsible for all aspects of design and implementation for BaltimoreLink, a comprehensive transit network overhaul of MTA’s local and express bus network, which included the restructuring of more than 60 bus routes and the introduction of new, high-frequency lines.

Kevin also has private sector experience, as the Mid-Atlantic Transportation Planning and Policy Manager for STV Incorporated in Baltimore.

Kevin holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University. He has been a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) since 2010 and was recognized as a Top 40 under 40 transit professional in Mass Transit Magazine.