From: "Friends of Transit NEWS" To: "Friends of Transit NEWS" Subject: ZUERCHER NAMED PHOENIX PUBLIC TRANSIT DIRECTOR Date: Tuesday, November 27, 2001 9:48 PM The City of Phoenix has promoted Ed Zuercher to director of the Public Transit Department. Zuercher will be responsible for implementing the Transit 2000 program that voters approved in March 2000, managing a staff of more than 60 employees and overseeing a budget of $112 million. Included in the Transit 2000 program are expanded bus services, improved Dial- A-Ride hours of operation for the elderly and disabled, and design and construction of the light rail program. "For the past eight years, Ed has done a tremendous job working on the light rail program and various other city projects," said Jack Tevlin, deputy city manager. "Because of his broad-based experience in managing city programs and initiatives, we are certain Ed will provide the leadership and strategic direction to effectively implement the Transit 2000 program." For the past year, Zuercher has served as assistant to the city manager where his primary responsibility has been managing the city's light rail project. He has been responsible for strategic planning and coordination of the project with city staff members, the Citizens Transit Commission, the Regional Public Transit Authority, and Phoenix residents and businesses affected by light rail. Prior to working on the light rail project, Zuercher held various positions in the City Manager's Office including directing a $3 million Enterprise Community grant designed to revitalize central and southern Phoenix neighborhoods and supervising interdepartmental teams working on special community projects such as mobile vending regulations. Zuercher is involved in many community programs and currently serves as vice president of the board of directors for the House of Refuge East Homeless Shelter. He has earned numerous awards such as a City Manager's Excellence Award and the International City/County Management Association Edwin O. Stene Academic Scholarship award. He earned his bachelor's degree in English and Secondary Education from Goshen College in Goshen, Ind., and a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas.