TriMet Selects New Safety and Security Executive
Harry Saporta fills new role to guide agency
March 7, 2011 - Harry Saporta has been selected as TriMet’s new Safety and Security Executive. Saporta is a national and international leader in safety and security, with more than 31 years in the field.
Saporta has worked on most major transit projects around the world. Most recently, he worked in Abu Dhabi as lead of the Surface Transport Safety and Security Project for all modes of surface transportation for the Emirate’s Department of Transport.
He also is no stranger to TriMet. He worked at the agency for 19 years during the construction of the Eastside, Westside and Airport MAX projects. While here, he developed a comprehensive rail and bus safety and emergency management program.
Saporta has also served as Director of Safety and Security for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), responsible for developing safety and security programs to meet the safety, homeland security and transit security, and emergency management needs of the public transportation industry throughout the United States.
“Harry is the right person to help make safety the focus throughout our organization and transform the organization’s culture where safety is not just a priority but a value,” said TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane. “We are very fortunate to have such a gifted and dedicated professional join us.”
Saporta will report directly to McFarlane and oversee the agency’s safety and security programs and goals. The role is new for TriMet, with its development recommended by the K & J comprehensive safety review and Safety and Service Excellence Task Force, both of which were initiated following last April’s fatal bus crash.
Saporta begins work in late March.