Houston METRO President/CEO Tom Lambert to retire at end of year

Source: Houston METRO

Houston METRO's longest serving President & CEO Tom Lambert has announced plans to retire at the end of this year. Lambert began serving as president & CEO in 2013.

Tom Lambert

“I have been blessed to have worked with talented staff, a dedicated board and a wonderful community of partners to provide outstanding multimodal transit options to this region. But after nearly 45 years at METRO, now is the right time to retire,“ said Lambert.

“I look forward to working over the next 11 months to advance the METRONext transit plan and other important initiatives," he added. "I also look forward to celebrating the people at METRO and in the community who are dedicated to providing the best in transit.”

Lambert negotiated an extension to his current contract to continue with the agency until Dec. 31, 2023.

“METRO and the region have benefited tremendously from Tom's leadership and service. I certainly understand his desire to close out his very successful career at METRO and spend more time with his family,” said METRO Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran. “This time frame ensures that we continue to focus on services and build on the momentum of METRONext while transitioning to the next chapter of leadership.”

Under Lambert's leadership, METRO expanded light rail service, launching the Green and Purple lines in 2015. That same year the agency also redesigned its entire local bus network, improving transit options seven days a week. The reimagined service became a template for transit organizations across the country and the globe.

Lambert, who was named the American Public Transportation Association's Outstanding Manager in 2018, is currently overseeing the implementation of a $7.5 billion voter-approved plan that includes 500 miles of travel improvements including new METRORapid bus rapid transit projects, BOOST enhancements to high frequency bus routes and upgrades to 9,000 bus stops to ensure they meet or exceed ADA standards.

Lambert joined METRO in 1979, its first full year of operation. Following the creation of the METRO Police Department in 1982, Lambert became its first chief of police. He has also served as chief administrative officer and executive vice president.

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