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AC Transit’s Cecil Blandon on Leadership, Mentorship, and a Career in Transit

In part 1 of a two-part conversation, AC Transit’s director of maintenance joins co-hosts Alex Roman and Mark Hollenbeck to discuss his journey from the U.S. Marines to public transit and the role mentorship plays in developing the next generation of industry leaders.

Alex Roman
Alex RomanExecutive Editor
Read Alex's Posts
March 27, 2026

In this episode of Bus Tech Talk, Co-Hosts Mark Hollenbeck, business development manager at Complete Coach Works, and Alex Roman, Executive Editor at METRO, are joined by Cecil Blandon, director of maintenance at AC Transit in Oakland, California. Our conversation was so in-depth that we’ve split it into two parts.

In Part 1, Blandon shares his journey from the U.S. Marines to a leadership role in public transit, along with insights on mentorship and professional growth within the industry. Stay tuned for Part 2, which will take a deeper dive into AC Transit’s world-class maintenance program, including its approach to technology, innovation, and the operational excellence.

Topics include:

·         Growing up with a wrench in his hand.

·         From the military to the public transit industry.

·         Mentoring and apprenticeship programs.

·         Training and opportunities at AC Transit

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