Mike Griffus named Pierce Transitâ€™s next CEO

mike-griffus-ceo August 10, 2021 -- The Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners has named Mike Griffus as Pierce Transit’s next Chief Executive Officer.

Griffus has served as Pierce Transit’s Chief Operating Officer since 2016, where he directly managed about 80 percent of the agency’s employees, including its 500 bus operators. As COO, Griffus oversaw and managed daily agency operations, including bus and paratransit services, system support and emergency services. He was also responsible for safety and se-curity across the system, including serving as the agency’s Chief Safety Officer, and negotiated the contracts for Pierce Transit to operate Sound Transit’s express bus service, which accounts for more than 40 percent of the agency’s bus operator positions.

Prior to joining Pierce Transit, Griffus served as Chief Executive Officer of Keolis Transit America, a bus, shuttle, taxi and fleet transportation company with links to the largest company-owned light rail system in the world. At Keolis, Griffus managed $140 million in annual revenue and a corporate budget of $6 million. From 2006 through 2009, Griffus was President and Chief Operating Officer of Veolia Transportation, Inc., where he orchestrated the company’s North American Transit Operations. Griffus’s other transportation experience includes serving as Senior Vice President and Regional Vice President of Operations at Laidlaw Education Services, the largest school bus transportation provider in the world; and Chief Operating Officer at Bauer Transportation, Inc., one of the largest luxury transportation corporations in America.

Griffus holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington. He has also completed the Achieving Breakthrough Services course from Harvard Business School and the Competitive Market Strategies for Business course from the University of California, Berkeley.

“I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve as Pierce Transit’s CEO,” said Griffus. “While the agency is doing a great job serving our community with the resources at hand, there are still many opportunities to improve and expand mobility options for the people of Pierce County. I look forward to partnering with our talented employees and community partners on that important work in the weeks, months and years ahead.”

The Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners began its nationwide CEO search earlier this year after former Pierce Transit CEO Sue Dreier announced she would be retiring this summer. Dreier served in the role for six years and retired June 15. Executive Director of Administration Amy Cleveland has been serving as Pierce Transit’s interim CEO since Dreier’s departure.

“The Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners is looking forward to working with Mike as he assumes the role of CEO,” said Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners Chair Marty Campbell. “We are confident he will make great strides moving the agency forward and providing excellent service to the people of our community.”

Griffus began his new role as Pierce Transit CEO today, Aug. 10.

Back To News

Trip Planner Help

Trip Planner Tips - Entering Locations

To create a trip plan you need to enter both a starting location (origin) and an ending location (destination). For information about stops, schedules, or service at a specific location, you only need to enter one location.

The Trip Planner recognizes most street intersections and addresses as well as many landmarks in Pierce, King, and Snohomish Counties. If what you entered is not immediately recognized, the Trip Planner will offer you a list of options. You can choose one of the options, but if your intended location is not there, select the "Revise Original Entries" link to return to the entry page and change the entries you have already made.

Addresses

You don't need to type in the city along with the address. The Trip Planner shows the possible city names as options if needed. City names are based on zip codes.
You don't need to type in St., Street, Ave., or Avenue, or similar street types. The Trip Planner shows the possible alternatives as options if needed. (Example: type 110 Jones instead of 110 Jones Boulevard.)
You don't need to type in the directional designations for streets, but if a direction name is part of a street name, you should include it. (Example: type 1000 Main instead of 1000 S Main. But type 1000 West Viewmont for 1000 West Viewmont Way W.)
Some streets and addresses are unknown to the Trip Planner. You may need to enter another nearby location, such as an intersection or a landmark.
You should not enter the suite number or apartment number. Just the house number and street name (Example: type in 401 Broadway instead of 401 Broadway Avenue Suite 800).

Intersections

The "&" symbol is the only character used between two street names to show an intersection. (Examples: 1st & B, James & Madison)
You don't need to type in the city. The Trip Planner shows the possible city names as options if needed. City names are based on zip codes.
You don't need to type in St., Street, Ave., or Avenue, or similar street types. The Trip Planner shows the possible alternatives as options if needed. (Example: type Conifer & Jones instead of Conifer Circle & Jones Boulevard.)
You don't need to type in the directional designations for streets, but if a direction name is part of a street name, you should include it. (Example: type 3rd & Main instead of 3rd S & S Main. But type 34th & West Viewmont for 34th W & West Viewmont Way W.)
Some streets are unknown to the Trip Planner. You may need to enter another nearby intersection or a landmark.

Landmarks

Government Sites: Pierce County Health Dept, Pierce Co Sheriffs Office, Tacoma City Hall

Major Commercial Sites: Tacoma Mall, Sheraton Hotel

Transportation Facilities: Sea-Tac Airport, Greyhound Bus Depot

Schools & Colleges: Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma Community College

Sports & Leisure: Cheney Stadium, Pt Defiance Zoo

Medical Facilities: Group Health, Tacoma General Hospital