Portland, Ore.-based TriMet selected Harry Saporta to take on the role of the agency's new Safety and Security Executive. Saporta is a national and international leader in safety and security, with more than 31 years in the field.

Most recently, Saporta worked in Abu Dhabi as lead of the Surface Transport Safety and Security Project for all modes of surface transportation for the Emirate’s Department of Transport.

Saporta also worked at TriMet for 19 years during the construction of the Eastside, Westside and Airport MAX projects. While there, he developed a comprehensive rail and bus safety and emergency management program.

Saporta has also served as Director of Safety and Security for the Federal Transit Administration, responsible for developing safety and security programs to meet the safety, homeland security and transit security, and emergency management needs of the public transportation industry throughout the U.S.

Saporta will report directly to GM Neil McFarlane and oversee the agency’s safety and security programs and goals. The role is new for TriMet, with its development recommended by the K & J comprehensive safety review and Safety and Service Excellence Task Force, both of which were initiated following last April’s fatal bus crash.

Saporta begins work in late March.