Kevin Desmond Named Principal + National Director, Transit and Rail

Sam Schwartz has announced that Kevin Desmond has been named Principal and National Director, Transit and Rail. A leading figure in the world of sustainable transportation, Kevin most recently served as CEO of TransLink, Metro Vancouver’s transportation authority, which pre-pandemic carried 1.5 million daily transit trips.

As TransLink’s CEO, Kevin oversaw planning, financing, and management of a multimodal transit network that includes bus, rapid transit, passenger ferry, paratransit, commuter train service, and a major road network, staffed by a team of more than 8,000 people. Under his leadership, Vancouver adopted an unprecedented $9 billion transit expansion plan, and led large North American metros in transit growth for four consecutive years. Prior to TransLink, Kevin was General Manager of Seattle’s King County Metro Transit for 12 years, where he helped to grow ridership by 44% while launching major light rail, BRT, and streetcar services. Over the course of his career, Kevin has pioneered an array of operational, fleet, technology, and market development initiatives, and has been a significant voice for forward-thinking environmental policies and investments.

“I am honored to be joining Sam Schwartz at a decisive moment for public transportation,” said Desmond. “In this season of rebuilding, operators face both enormous challenges and tremendous opportunities as they look to the post-pandemic future of mobility. With its 25-year legacy of putting people and the planet first, I believe Sam Schwartz is uniquely positioned to help governments, agencies, and non-profits pursue more sustainable, just, and safe mobility services. I am excited to help lead this vital work.”

“Sam Schwartz is thrilled to welcome Kevin to our team of transit professionals,” said Michael A. Shamma, PE, President of Sam Schwartz. “His leadership of some of North America’s most innovative systems has been defined by an incisive understanding of the interconnections between transit and climate change, equity, economic development, public health, and the other challenges our communities face. Our firm is, likewise, driven by the insight that transportation is about far more than getting from Point A to Point B. With Kevin at the helm, I look forward to our transit practice delivering holistic insights and catalyzing pathbreaking solutions for transportation providers nationwide.”