Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has named Robert “Bob” Brown and Sarah Powell to the newly created roles of Deputy Chief Operating Officer–Cleaning and Deputy Chief Transformation Officer–Safety Culture, respectively.
Brown is responsible for leading all custodial services functions for SEPTA stations, vehicles, and facilities “to ensure a safe, clean, and comfortable environment for SEPTA customers and employees,” according to the transit authority, which noted that he reports to Chief Operating Officer Scott Sauer.
With more than 30 years of progressive experience in facilities management and custodial services, Brown served most recently as the Principal and Chief Operating Officer for Atlas Integrated Facilities Management and Project Consultant Services. He has also held the positions of Director, Global Integrated Facilities Management Lead at Nestle and Director of Global Facilities, Operations and Intermediate Projects at Rolls Royce.
Powell is tasked with “driving organizational change” and “reinforcing a culture where all employees are relentless about safety,” SEPTA said. She reports to Senior Director of Budgets and Transformation Erik Johanson.
According to SEPTA, Powell directed a center for public health preparedness at Temple University before leading the institution’s first Office of Emergency Management. She went on to lead employee wellbeing, health, and safety programs in the private sector before arriving at the transit authority.
“These new roles fit into our overall efforts to enhance cleanliness and safety on the system,” SEPTA CEO and General Manager Leslie S. Richards said. “We must move forward with our investments in these critical initiatives, including hiring 100 new cleaners and doubling the size of our System Safety Division.”
Separately, SEPTA this summer awarded Hitachi Rail a contract to supply 200 new M5 rapid transit cars for the Market-Frankford Line in Philadelphia and announced the implementation of an enhanced safety plan for the 2024-25 school year, “continuing its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of students who rely on public transportation.”
