By Natalie Bruckner. Originally published in the Winter 2019 edition of Business Class magazine.
This Q&A was originally published alongside the article The Future of Public Transit in BC.
We understand you are BC born and raised?
I was born and raised right here in Victoria.
Can you sum up what BC Transit does?
From small towns to large urban centres, BC Transit transports more than 57 million customers in communities across the province every year.
How did you enter into the transportation sector?
Like most young people who are going into commerce, I thought I would be making millions on a stock market or a private company. Then, when I got my first job at BC Ferries in 2001, I quickly realized that finding a job where you have a purpose and a passion is where I wanted to be for the rest of my career. I joined BC Transit in 2008 as the director, corporate & strategic planning, was promoted in 2014 to vice president, business development & chief transformation officer (CTO) and became president and CEO in 2018.
Can you tell us why you chose BCom and MBA degrees and how they have helped in your career?
I got my BCom at Gustavson and later continued with an MBA from Lansbridge University. You can take all the courses and learn A, B, C, D and E, but when you roll them all together, it doesn’t matter if you are working in a public, private or not-for-profit, it all comes back to who is your customer. All the courses you take at Gustavson—accounting, finance, et cetera—are focused on the customer, which is essential in business.
What would your advice be to grads wanting to enter the transportation sector?
In the transportation industry you are part of so much. At the core, we are running a business. But you’re also focused on customers and at the same time involved in municipal, provincial and federal funding and advocacy. You get to be part of a big solution and big picture that covers a wide range of experiences.
What are the unique challenges transportation faces in BC?
Our clock resets every night. Every day is a new opportunity.
What are you excited about moving ahead?
To continue to provide a public service that is relied on to improve people’s lives, whether that’s ferry, rail or bus.
What’s your favourite route?
Route 6 that goes along Quadra Street. It goes through so many different villages and neighbourhoods. There are tons of stops, it has a high ridership, and you get to see the residential growth of the area.
And finally, where can we find you in your spare time?
Trail running or hiking, or puzzling. I puzzle every day! I got into it a couple of years ago as I was looking for a way to de-stress. Now, every morning before work, I puzzle. I did a 10,000 piece once, but you need the physical space to do it, and I have been told I can’t do that again as I took up the entire dining table!
Related reading: The Future of Public Transit in BC | Q&A with Steve Vanagas, Vice President, Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs at TransLink
