Jefferson City's new transit director starts today and, according to one city official, it was his management experience that made him the best candidate.
Mark Mehmert, formerly community development manager for the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce, recently was named the city's new transit director.
Though Mehmert has no direct transit experience, Matt Morasch, public works director, said that's not an issue. Morasch said Mehmert will receive training on the multitude of federal and state regulations regarding transit, as well as have other resources available, and that what made Mehmert the best candidate was his overall management experience.
"Our goal going into the interview process was to find someone who could communicate with the council and public, and has demonstrated management experience and follow-through," Morasch said. "We wanted a good manager of people."
Morasch said the city is trying to make the transit director position more "multimodal," which encompasses all forms of transportation, not just transit buses.
"We're trying to make the transit director give more thought to routes, how they connect to sidewalks and bicycles and things like that," Morasch said. "That's what a lot of transit divisions are doing ... that's kind of a trend in smaller agencies."
Mehmert has a master's degree in business management and, when applying to the city, listed some of his previous positions, including partnership development manager at the Missouri Department of Transportation, director for the Missouri Occupational Information Coordinating Committee and acting research manager for the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
Mehmert replaces Richard Turner, who served as transit director since 2004. Though Turner resigned in November, he technically retired last spring, Morasch said, but agreed to stay on part time until a replacement was found.
"He was willing to help us out and just work hourly for us," Morasch said.
Morasch had planned to begin the hiring process after the city finalized its 2015 budget, but right around that time, he said, Turner had to resign due to personal issues.
"That kind of snuck up on me a little bit," Morasch said.
After Turner resigned, Morasch said the city "widely advertised" the position through regional and national outlets, receiving nine applications in response. Morasch noted that of the nine who applied, only one had direct transit experience, while the remaining candidates had more experience in management.
Of the nine applicants, Morasch said three candidates were interviewed before selecting Mehmert. The interview team, Morasch said, consisted of Morasch, Operations Division Director Britt Smith and City Engineer David Bange.