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After over 19 years of serving the region as STA’s CEO, E. Susan Meyer is retiring at the end of the year. In total, Meyer’s career spanned 36 years as a business leader in the Pacific Inland Northwest.
Inspired by her mother's hardworking example, Meyer pursued and earned her MBA from Eastern Washington University (EWU) in 1981. When she started working in business, Meyer noted that there were only four women CEOs in the entire state of Washington. Her career took her from EWU as director of external relations, to Momentum where she served as executive director, then to Pacific Gas and Electric, and then as vice president of human resources and corporate communications at Telect.
When she transitioned to the public sector in 2005 as STA’s new CEO, Meyer approached her work with openness yet also the good judgment and finesse that she had acquired from her previous business experiences.
“It has been a profound privilege to be the chief executive officer at Spokane Transit,” Meyer said. “Nineteen years ago, I didn’t expect my career would take me to the public sector or to transit, but I am grateful that it did. I found the perfect place to serve the community I love alongside people who are passionate about our mission.”
During her tenure, Meyer has collaborated with over 60 elected officials from Spokane County and the cities of Spokane, Spokane Valley, Cheney, Liberty Lake, Airway Heights, Medical Lake, and Millwood, who have served on the STA Board.
Over her nearly two-decade career at STA, Meyer has overseen the initiatives and projects that have shaped the STA system into what it is today. Highlights include the development of several transit centers, including the West Plains Transit Center and the SCC Transit Center, the construction of the Boone Northwest Garage, achieving 25% electrification for the Fixed Route fleet, and the launch of the region’s first Bus Rapid Transit line, City Line.
Meyer has been recognized for her focus on financial stewardship and executing a ten-year strategic plan, including launching the region’s first Bus Rapid Transit route, City Line, without incurring debt. City Line also has the distinction of being the first five-door, all-electric BRT route in the US. Meyer successfully navigated two sales tax measures to support and enhance public transit in the Spokane region, and she provided key assistance for the passage of the Move Ahead Washington transportation package. Under Meyer’s tenure, the STA team secured a historic $53.4 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration and a $15 million grant from Washington State for the City Line and its zero-emission buses.
“Everywhere I go, I hear about how Susan has left her mark,” commented City of Spokane Valley Mayor Pam Haley. “Even my city manager has spoken highly of her, how she handles meetings, how she communicates, and how she approaches challenges. Under Meyer’s leadership, STA has become an example of efficient and effective local government.”
Meyer also had to face an issue few CEOs have ever had to deal with: a global pandemic. COVID-19 was not only a major health risk for employees and riders, but it also severely crippled transit ridership at both STA and transit agencies across the country. Despite this, Meyer’s steadfast leadership enabled STA to serve the region effectively while prioritizing the safety of employees and riders. Once the effects of COVID-19 started to taper off, STA was one of the first agencies in the country to recover its ridership to pre-pandemic levels.
“Susan’s service has extended beyond county lines and has reached across the state, the Pacific Northwest, and the country,” remarked Justin Leighton, Executive Director of the Washington State Transit Association.
“Susan’s leadership spanning nearly 20 years has made STA what it is today. An innovative, zero-debt, financially healthy, and all around rock-solid public transit agency,” said Spokane County Commissioner and STA Board Chair, Al French. “Her legacy and community impact will inspire continued agency growth and success.”
Throughout her career at STA, Meyer has laid the foundation for the agency to prosper and continue to be a service that the region can depend on. As she enters retirement, everyone at STA wishes her the best, and the community will never forget the contributions she has made to better public transit.
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