AC TRANSIT ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF ITS NEW GENERAL MANAGER & CEO

Salvador Llamas will elevate from COO to General Manager-CEO on May 15

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Salvador “Sal” Llamas as the transit district’s new General Manager and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Llamas’ appointment follows an extensive national search led by Krauthamer & Associates, a firm with over 50 years of experience placing executives across transit, aerospace, financial services, technology, banking, defense, healthcare, and education sectors. The selection process also included listening sessions with the communities AC Transit has proudly served for 65 years, as well as with its dedicated employees – whose input helped shape the priorities and desired leadership qualities for the transit district's next General Manager.

"Each finalist for the GM-CEO position demonstrated strong strategic leadership and vision. However, what set Mr. Llamas apart was his well-established relationship with our diverse workforce of approximately 2,300 employees, as well as, his deep familiarity with the Bay Area and its unique transit demands," said Board President Diane Shaw. "As AC Transit's Chief Operating Officer, he has shown a comprehensive understanding of our operating and capital budgets – an asset critical to ensuring the District's immediate and long-term stability. With the new fiscal year ushering in a period of undeniable transition, the Board recognized the need for a solutions-oriented executive who can guide us through ongoing fiscal challenges with agility and foresight. We are confident that Mr. Llamas brings all these qualities, and more, to his new role as GM-CEO."

Mr. Llamas has been a dedicated member of the AC Transit family since 2012, when he joined as Director of Maintenance, later rising to Chief Operating Officer in 2017. Over the past 13 years, he has delivered measurable results, including a nearly 10% improvement in on-time performance and a 43% reduction in accident rates. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Llamas served as Incident Commander for the District’s Emergency Operations Center, guiding AC Transit through one of its most challenging periods.

He led major strategic initiatives, including the development of the Transit Asset Management Plan (TAM), the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP), and the nationally recognized 5X5 Study, now considered a definitive roadmap for transit agencies transitioning to zero emission fleets.

As a young person, transit was more than just a mode of transportation for Mr. Llamas – it was a lifeline that helped meet his family's daily needs. After serving eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Mr. Llamas returned to Los Angeles with a deep desire to give back. He began what he calls the start of "paying it forward" to his community, starting as an Equipment Maintenance Supervisor at LA Metro. His dedication and hard work led him to quickly rise through the ranks, ultimately becoming Maintenance Operations Manager there before embarking on a trajectory of success at AC Transit. His career path underscores the power of service and the drive to make a lasting impact.

"I am deeply honored by the Board's confidence in me as the new GM and CEO. While AC Transit faces challenges ahead, I will rely on the core principles of 'improvise, adapt, and overcome' as we begin this next chapter in transit," said Salvador Llamas. "My time with the District has only strengthened my resolve that our bus lines are essential lifelines, driving the success of the East Bay. That success takes a team, and AC Transit is home to some of the most ingenious professionals in the industry. Although the pandemic has shifted rider demands, it will not shift our time-honored commitment to equitable, reliable, accessible, and, most importantly, affordable transit. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue our shared mission as General Manager.”

Mr. Llamas holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an array of leadership certifications, including the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Eno Center for Transportation, and the National Transit Institute (NTI) to name a few. He is also dedicated to fostering new transit careers through his active involvement with Latinos in Transit (LIT).

Mr. Llamas will officially assume the role of General Manager on May 15, 2025.

AC Transit extends its thanks to Interim General Manager Kathleen Kelly for bringing her seasoned transit expertise to this critical transition. Her leadership ensured stability and progress, and we are truly appreciative for her dedication to the District and the communities we serve.