Planning and Development Senior Manager Rory Vaughn (left) and State of Good Repair Director Aaron Azevedo (right) were the first Metrolink team members to participate in the Transportation Mid-Manager program hosted Sept. 21-26 by the Eno Center for Transportation.
Two emerging Metrolink leaders were invited to take part in an exclusive professional development opportunity this month, alongside industry standouts from across the country. Senior Manager of Planning and Development Rory Vaughn and Director of State of Good Repair Aaron Azevedo attended the Eno Center for Transportation’s Transportation Mid-Manager (TMM) program in San Francisco from Sept. 21-26. Through this immersive, week-long experience, they received interactive coaching and participated in facilitated conversations designed to strengthen strategic thinking and leadership skills. Rory and Aaron also gained insights that will enhance operational planning and help Metrolink anticipate risks and respond to challenges more effectively.
“Instead of a series of lectures or one-way presentations, the facilitators engage the group to discuss the topics, share their experiences and learn from each other,” Rory said. “This collaborative approach, along with coaching outside of the core week, makes the TMM program especially valuable for leaders looking to grow in their roles.”
Previously, Metrolink Chief Strategy Officer Paul Hubler and Chief Customer Experience Officer Lisa Bahr participated in Eno’s Transportation Senior Executive (TSE) program. Both described the experience as transformational, noting the value they found in stepping away from the daily rush, exchanging ideas with peers, refining their leadership styles and forging lasting industry ties. Since the program ended, the lessons learned have continued to sharpen team outcomes and helped them nurture the next wave of talent.
Left: Metrolink Chief Strategy Officer Paul Hubler (left) celebrates completion of Eno’s Transportation Senior Executive program with Eno’s then-president Robert Puentes (right); Right: Metrolink Chief Customer Experience Officer Lisa Bahr proudly shows off her completion certificate from the TSE program.
“As a professional engineer, I have a solid grasp of project details, but I recognize the importance of expanding my perspective to better understand how these projects benefit both our riders and the agency,” Aaron said. “The program will allow me to focus on trusting my team to manage the details, so that I can strategically align each project with the agency's larger goals, including securing additional funding, increasing ridership and supporting the quality of life in the communities we serve.”
Investing in leadership development at every level strengthens Metrolink’s culture of excellence. Programs like TMM and TSE provide a platform for professional and personal growth that benefits our employees, our customers and the public. Through these experiences, Rory, Aaron, Paul and Lisa exemplify the commitment to continuous improvement that keeps Metrolink prepared to meet the current moment while planning for the next.