What does a great transit leader leave behind?
For Ken McDonald, President and CEO of Long Beach Transit and the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) 2025 Outstanding Public Transportation CEO of the Year, leadership isn’t just about running a successful agency. It’s about making the people around you better—and giving them the knowledge and opportunities to become leaders themselves.
In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort talks with Ken about the lessons he’s learned across four decades in public transportation and 13 years leading Long Beach Transit. Ken explains why sharing knowledge is a responsibility of leadership, how developing future transit executives has become part of his legacy, and why strong leaders also need trusted “thought partners” who challenge them and help them grow.
They also explore how Long Beach Transit keeps the customer at the center of its operation. Ken shares how the agency’s Achieving Customer Excellence program asks employees to ride the system and map the journey from a passenger’s perspective—then use what they learn to improve service, information, and the overall customer experience.
Looking ahead to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, Ken shares three lessons from the FIFA World Cup that he believes will be critical to delivering successful transportation: detailed preparation, thorough communication across the entire organization, and trusting staff to execute the plan.
Ken and Paul also discuss operational discipline, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, workforce development, zero-emission transit, and why customer excellence should remain at the center of every decision transit leaders make.
It’s a conversation about running a transit agency—but even more, it’s about building a leadership legacy that lasts long after you leave.
00:00 Welcome to Transit Unplugged
00:28 Meet Ken McDonald
02:28 APTA Expo CEO Roundtable
04:34 Interview Begins
04:44 Conversation Begins
05:54 CEO of the Year Honor
06:44 Ken’s Career Journey
09:20 Long Beach Transit Service Area
09:55 Fleet and Zero Emission Shift
11:34 Funding and Grants
14:07 Governance and Ridership Impact
16:25 Leadership and Customer Excellence
19:45 ACE Customer Excellence
22:27 Richer Bus Info
22:53 Leaders Ken Developed
23:20 Sharing Knowledge Mindset
24:03 Fruitfulness And Service
24:33 Thought Partners In Leadership
24:58 Olympics Prep Begins
25:30 FIFA Lessons For Olympics
26:51 Trust Staff To Execute
27:21 Olympics Planning Experience
28:22 Technology Partnership Awards
29:26 What Leaders Focus On
30:15 AI And Workforce Training
31:32 Closing Thanks And Credits
Credits
Host and Producer: Paul Comfort
Executive Producer: Julie Gates
Producer: Chris O’Keeffe
Production Assistant: Desmond Gates
Editor: Patrick Emile
Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin
Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye
Production Assistant: Desmond Gates
Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people.
For more information, visit: www.Transit Unplugged.com
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.
