Eric Williams is now permanently in charge of San Joaquin County's regional transit system, after the Regional Transit District's Board of Directors named him Chief Executive Officer effective Sept. 18.
Williams had been serving as RTD's Acting CEO after previously serving as Chief Operating Officer. In his time in executive leadership, he has focused on strengthening internal operations, rebuilding relationships with regional partners, addressing organizational and financial challenges, enhancing public safety and security, and building a culture of greater accountability and collaboration throughout the district.
"I'm deeply grateful to the Board of Directors for placing its confidence in me to lead RTD," Williams said. "I accept this responsibility with humility and with a clear understanding that this position is ultimately about service to our employees, our riders, our communities, and the people of San Joaquin County."
One of Williams' early priorities has been rebuilding relationships between RTD and the cities, transit providers and regional agencies it works with. He has personally met with local leaders to listen to concerns and recommit RTD to collaboration. "We cannot serve this region effectively by operating in isolation," Williams said. "RTD must be a trusted regional partner."
Williams, an alumnus of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, said he's thinking well beyond the next budget cycle. "As CEO, I am not simply thinking about what RTD needs to look like next year," he said. "I am thinking about the RTD we need to build for the next 30 or 40 years."
RTD is the regional transit provider for San Joaquin County. More information is available at sjRTD.com or by calling (209) 943-1111.