County Connection recently welcomed Rashidi Barnes to serve as the agency’s Senior Manager of Transportation. Mr. Barnes has a well-rounded background not only in transit operations and procurement, but also in leadership and community service. As the Senior Manager of Transportation, Mr. Barnes will oversee activities of the transportation department, providing leadership and assistance to continue the County Connection’s tradition of reliable and quality transit service to the public.
“I believe Rashidi represents the next generation of transit leaders,” said Rick Ramacier, County Connection General Manager. “He has valuable experience in both public and private settings, and understands the challenges inherent in both environments. Equally impressive is Rashidi’s longtime commitment to community.”
For the past decade, Mr. Barnes has been active in the Southern California Chapter Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, the Hannibal Navies’ Foundation, East Oakland Youth Development Center, and the Habitat For Humanity. In October 2011 Mr. Barnes completed Leadership APTA, the American Public Transit Association’s premier professional development program for leaders in the public transit industry.
Prior to joining County Connection, Mr. Barnes was the Director of Procurement for Foothill Transit in Southern California administering service, procurement, and funding contracts. He has also served as the West Coast Regional Manager for the Transit Marketing Group, managing bus and train equipment sales for over 150 public transit agencies. Mr. Barnes has a Masters Degree in Business Administration from San Jose State University.