TriMet appoints Andrew Wilson as new Executive Director of Safety and Security

TriMet will be doing a number of closures in the month of September for its MAX system project.

TriMet

TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. has promoted Andrew Wilson to Executive Director of the Safety and Security Division.

Wilson has been with TriMet since 2016, serving as our Director of Risk Management and, earlier in 2021, as interim Director of Safety and Environmental Services. His predecessor, Marla Blagg, retired in November 2021.

“Andrew has proven himself a critical member of the TriMet team, providing excellent leadership and direction in risk management as well as crisis management,” said TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. “His decades of experience in identifying, managing and reducing risk and his commitment to safety will benefit our riders, employees and the communities we serve.

For the past five-and-a-half years, Wilson managed TriMet’s Risk Management department, supervising the liability claims team and serving as our agency’s leading resource for risk analysis, insurance and provided expert assessment of all construction improvement projects. During his time at TriMet, Wilson created the agency’s first Enterprise Risk Register, developing a comprehensive online portal

Andrew Wilson (TriMet photo)

capturing hundreds of high impact risks, and their associated mitigation strategies. He also reduced the overall expenses in the Risk Management Department by almost $1 million through the application of effective risk management litigation and claims expense management.

Wilson’s leadership has also proven essential elsewhere at TriMet. He headed up TriMet’s COVID-19 response during part of 2020, as well as our operations during the wildfire/hazardous air quality events that year. He also led a multidivisional group that completed TriMet’s first Carbon Audit, in support of the agency’s climate objectives.

“TriMet service has had a huge impact on my life and being able to work for the transit provider I grew up riding has been an amazing experience,” said TriMet’s new Executive Director of Safety and Security Andrew Wilson, who grew up in Gresham. “As the leader of TriMet’s safety and security team, I am dedicated to working alongside our outstanding employees to provide safe transit options for our community as we incorporate our new safety initiatives for a system that’s welcoming for all.”

Prior to TriMet, Wilson worked in the insurance industry where he honed his skills in risk mitigation, safety and customer service since 2001. He completed the ENO Transit Executive Program in 2018. He received his Bachelors in History, Political Science and Peace Studies from George Fox University and his Masters in History from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom.

TriMet safety and security leadership

As Executive Director of the Safety and Security Division, Andrew will oversee four departments including Safety, Security, Transit Police and Environmental Services. He will lead all safety and security practices and activities, including our reimagining public safety initiatives. He’ll also be tasked with advancing workplace safety efforts and will direct the safe delivery of TriMet’s services and construction projects. Wilson’s first day in this new role will be Jan. 3, 2022.

Learn more about TriMet leadership here.