Michael Ford is the CEO of the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan, an entity that coordinates public transportation in the region of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties, plus the city of Detroit. He was formerly CEO of the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority.
Michael Ford at a February 2014 meeting of the AAATA board. (Photo by The Ann Arbor Chronicle.)
During Ford's tenure at the AAATA from 2009-2014, the transit authority expanded to include Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township. Other accomplishments cited by the AAATA board as part of their evaluation of Ford included growth in overall ridership; growth in the vanpool program; growth in AirRide ridership and a decrease in the cost of the service; a collective bargaining agreement ratified by the members of the TW Local 171; launch of a new AAATA website with improved rider information, navigation and tools; construction of a new Blake Transit Center; development of a new five-year urban core transportation improvement plan and a successful millage proposal.
He served on the board of directors of the Washtenaw Housing Alliance and the Business Development Committee for Ann Arbor SPARK.
Ford is originally from Seattle. He holds a BA in sociology and philosophy from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, and an MBA from City University in Seattle, Washington.
Timeline
October 2014: Starts job at the RTA.
August 2014: Accepts offer to be the RTA's CEO – a three-year deal with an annual salary of $200,000.
June 2014: Receives a retroactive raise from the AAATA board for the period from October 2012 through September 2013, raising Ford’s base salary from $164,800 to $169,744. The 3% increase on that amount through the current fiscal year brings his salary to $174,836. The board also authorizes a lump sum payment to cover the retroactive raises up to the present time, as well as a $20,000 payment into Ford’s 457 deferred compensation plan account, which reflects payments of $10,000 cash for the fiscal year 2013 and 2014. The lump sum retroactive salary adjustment works out to a little less than $11,900.
May 2014: RTA board makes an offer to hire Ford as CEO.
2009: Joins AATA as its CEO.
2008-2009: Works as consultant for his own firm, Ford Consulting, in Camas, Washington.
2007-2008: Serves as COO and assistant general manager of the San Joaquin Regional Transit District in Stockton, Calif.
2002-2007: Works as a manager for the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District in Portland, Ore.
1991-2001: Serves as the director of operations and maintenance for Community Transit in Everett, Wash.
1983-1991: Works for Greyhound Lines Inc. as a manager in the Spokane, Washington area.
In the news
Transit chief: Regional transportation 'can be done' – Detroit Free Press, May 12, 2015
Regional Transit Authority CEO listens to residents’ concerns – C&G Newspapers, April 7, 2015
Community groups to schedule meetings with Regional Transit Authority CEO Michael Ford – MetroMode, Feb. 19, 2015
What's going on with the RTA? Five tough questions with CEO Michael Ford – MetroMode, Dec. 18, 2014
Michael Ford leaving AAATA to become CEO of Metro Detroit's Regional Transit Authority – MLive, Aug. 20, 2014
AAATA Gives CEO Retroactive Raise – The Ann Arbor Chronicle, June 10, 2014
AAATA CEO chosen to lead new Southeast Michigan regional transit authority – MLive, May 22, 2014
Ann Arbor transit CEO Michael Ford picked to lead RTA – Crain's Detroit Business, May 22, 2014
AAATA’s CEO Is Finalist for RTA Job – The Ann Arbor Chronicle, May 16, 2014
AATA Board Gives CEO Praise, Raise – The Ann Arbor Chronicle, Dec. 15, 2011
AATA Board Approves New Contract for CEO – The Ann Arbor Chronicle, May 19, 2011
AATA, CEO Candidate Start Talks – The Ann Arbor Chronicle, April 24, 2009
AATA Interviews Two; Re-Interview to Follow – The Ann Arbor Chronicle, March 26, 2009
