Rick Leary | |
|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Transit Commission | |
| In office c. July 2018 – August 30, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Andy Byford |
| Succeeded by | Greg Percy (Interim CEO) |
| In office December 17, 2017 – c. July 2018 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1963 (age 61–62) Boston,Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Citizenship |
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| Education | Northeastern University (BBA,MPA) |
Richard J. Leary is anAmerican-Canadian transportation executive who waschief executive officer (CEO) of theToronto Transit Commission (TTC) between 2017 and 2024. Leary became interim CEO in 2017 and took over the role permanently in 2018; he resigned in August 2024. Leary was previously general manager ofYork Region Transit and held senior roles with theMassachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).
Richard J. Leary[1] was born inBoston,Massachusetts.[2] His father was a streetcar operator for theMassachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). He graduated fromNortheastern University with aBBA and anMPA. As well, he completed a graduate program fromHarvard University in Administration and Management.[3][4]
In August 2019, Leary became a Canadian citizen.[2][5]
Following his father, Leary began working for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority as a subway attendant in 1984. He then moved through various manager and director roles, becoming the chief operating officer of the MBTA in 2005. He retired from the role in November 2009 after failing to appear at a board meeting to address a damning federal safety report.[1]
In 2009, Leary moved to Canada to become the general manager ofYork Region Transit inOntario.[6] Leary was praised as ridership grew by 4 million while customer complaints reduced and vehicle reliability increased.[7]
In 2014, Leary was hired as the chief service officer of theToronto Transit Commission (TTC) by then-CEOAndy Byford.[8][9] This role involved management of the TTC'sbus andstreetcar systems, as well as management of the variousToronto subway stations. Leary's achievements included a large reduction in the number ofshort turns,[10] improving the quality of service.[11]
In December 2017, Leary was made the interim CEO of the TTC, when his predecessor, Andy Byford left to head theNew York City Transit Authority.[12] In July 2018, Leary's interim position was made permanent, following an international search.[13][14]
In late 2023, TTC ChairJamaal Myers attempted to have Leary suspended while an investigation into allegations of workplace misconduct took place. The board of the TTC agreed to launch an investigation, but did not suspend Leary.[15][16]
On June 20, 2024, Leary announced that he would step down from his position as CEO of the TTC at the end of August.[15] Leary noted that it was his decision to leave, having waited to announce his resignation until contract negotiations withAmalgamated Transit Union Local 113 had been agreed.[15] Upon his departure, Leary noted that he had a contract until 2026, with the new mayor,Olivia Chow, and TTC Chair indicating a change in direction for the organization – however Leary reiterated it was his decision to leave the job.[17] Deputy CEO Bruce Macgregor acted as CEO until formerMetrolinx executive Gregory W. Percy was named interim CEO while a replacement is sought.[18][19]
In what the CEO described as a "touching" ceremony in Scarborough on Aug. 13, the 55-year-old Boston native took the oath of Canadian citizenship.
Leary graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelor's of Business Administration as well as a Master's Degree in Public Administration. Leary later graduated from Harvard University, completing the graduate program in Administration and Management. He is married with three children, the youngest of whom was born here in Ontario in 2013.
On the personal front, Leary and his wife will soon be house hunting in Toronto, to end his lengthy commute from the outlying town of Aurora. 'We even have a little Canadian in our home; our five-year-old son was born after our move to Canada.'
Leary joined York Region as general manager in 2009, after retiring from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. York contracts out about 20 per cent of its service to the TTC, said Leary.
In a wide-ranging interview in the seventh-floor corner office at TTC headquarters recently vacated by former chief executive officer Andy Byford, acting CEO Rick Leary said he was 'putting a Plan B together' in the event the streetcar order is not completed as scheduled.
As the Star reported Monday, the hiring panel struck to find the next chief executive unanimously endorsed Leary about two weeks ago. The Boston native has been serving as acting CEO since December, after Andy Byford left to take a job as president of the New York City Transit Authority.
Finally, at our Board Meeting on Nov. 28 to discuss the budget, I will ask the Board to affirm our Deputy CEO Rick Leary as Acting CEO, effective Dec. 22.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)| Civic offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Chief Executive Officer of theToronto Transit Commission 2017–2024 | Succeeded by Mandeep Lali |