San Diego MTS
As Director of Transit Security and Passenger Safety, Daniel Brislin will oversee 81 Code Compliance Inspectors and 232 contracted Transit Security Officers at MTS, which operates four Trolley lines and 93 bus routes in 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego. He takes over for Tim Curran, who retired in December.
Brislin joined MTS in 2023 and has more than 28 combined years of public safety experience. During his previous role as Deputy Director of Transit Security and Passenger Safety, Brislin helped implement a comprehensive security initiative that reduced crime by 24% across the transit network in the first eight months of 2025, according to MTS.
He also helped implement several strategies to reduce crime on the system, including:
- “Increasing security officer ‘train’ teams on Trolley lines from five-six teams per shift to eight-ten teams per shift.
- “Doubling the number of officers patrolling buses.
- “Doubling the number of passenger safety teams.
- “Increasing the number of officers conducting homeless outreach.
- “Creating security outposts at busy transit centers to increase visibility.”
According to MTA, Brislin led efforts to consolidate the 24/7 security hotline to one number for text and calls, and implemented ongoing training for staff in deescalation, use of force, implicit bias and anti-discrimination.
Brislin is an honorably retired San Diego County Sheriff’s Commander, with experience in every bureau of the agency, including patrol, training, internal affairs, child abuse, sex crimes, juvenile crimes, narcotics and gangs. He is also the former Dean of Public Safety for San Diego Miramar College, where he oversaw the Emergency Medical Technician program, Fire Technology/Academy Program, and Administration of Justice Program, which included the San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Academy. Brislin holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees (psychology and sociology) and a master’s in public administration.
“Safety is fundamental to a reliable and welcoming transit system for all,” MTS CEO Sharon Cooney said. “Dan has been implementing successful security measures since he arrived at MTS. His leadership, commitment, and strong partnerships with law enforcement have helped deliver the results we are looking for.”
“I am honored to lead a dedicated group of inspectors and security officers to reduce crime, ensure fare compliance and keep the system safe,” Brislin said. “Our team is committed to assisting MTS passengers and surrounding communities. We have great partnerships in place with local law enforcement, and I look forward to continuing our collaboration. We have also widely expanded our outreach efforts to provide a diverse range of resources for individuals in need.”
Further Reading:
STV
STV has hired Natasha Avanessians as Chief of Staff to the CEO, succeeding Kristen Van Gilst, who will transition to Deputy Operations Director at the firm.
Avanessians will support enterprise-wide strategy, executive operations, and coordination across the firm’s operating groups, working closely with the CEO and executive leadership team to implement the new 2026-2028 Strategic Plan. She served most recently Senior Advisor to the New York City Deputy Mayor for Operations, leading City Hall’s work across major infrastructure projects, including the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, Cross Bronx Expressway and transition to sustainable freight movement, among other projects. Previously, she was Chief of Staff for MTA Long Island Rail Road, overseeing daily operations and the LIRR Forward initiative, including coordinating capital construction across the network. Avanessians has also held leadership positions at the Partnership for New York City and other New York City organizations. She earned a Master of Public Administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Columbia University.
Van Gilst will now support the Chief Project Officer at STV and help “drive the evolution of project delivery at the firm in the age of AI.” In addition to serving as STV’s Chief of Staff since 2024, she has served as the firm’s Digital Advisory Lead.
Van Gilst is also President on the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) Charlotte Metro Chapter’s 2024-26 Executive Board. She earned a Master of Science in construction management technology from Purdue University and an MBA with a concentration in project management from Southern New Hampshire University; she received a Bachelor of Architecture from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
“Natasha brings strategic insight and operational rigor that will strengthen how we execute at the enterprise level,” STV President and CEO Greg Kelly said. “Kristen’s unique background in project and program management combined with her knowledge of emerging technology will help further drive operational excellence at STV and deliver better service to our clients and our communities.”
Separately, STV recently earned an American Council of Engineering Companies of Virginia Grand Award and bolstered its Florida transportation leadership with three promotions.
