Black History Month invites us to honor the legacy of leadership, resilience, and service that continues to shape our workplaces and our world. One leader carrying that legacy forward is Jared Forte, General Manager at Transdev’s Phoenix Transit contract. Jared’s journey reflects perseverance, purpose, and a strong commitment to public service, which are values that shaped his life growing up in Gary, Indiana, where his parents encouraged education and lifelong learning.
Jared began college at Ball State University, planning to become an architect, but he soon discovered a passion for improving communities through urban planning. That interest led him to public transportation, where he found a meaningful way to serve others.
His transit career started in 1998 as an intern, followed by a role as a transit planner with the Gary Transportation Corporation. These early experiences showed him how vital public transit is for connecting people to opportunity. A key moment came when he attended an American Public Transportation Association conference and was introduced to Transdev. He joined the acquired company in 2008 and has since worked in multiple states, gaining valuable experience and strengthening his leadership skills.
Over the years, Jared has taken on many roles, including interim general manager. He also completed Transdev’s Developing General Manager Program, which helped prepare him for his current position. His leadership is rooted in trust, collaboration, and respect. He believes in listening to employees, involving them in decisions, and creating an environment where everyone feels valued.
Mentorship is very important to him. He credits his own mentors for helping shape his career and is committed to supporting others in the same way. Many of the people he has mentored have grown in their careers, reflecting his belief that people succeed when they feel supported and heard.
Jared’s connection to transit is also personal. Earlier in his career, he used public transportation from time to time to get to work, giving him a firsthand understanding of how important reliable transportation service is for daily life, economic mobility, and community well-being. He also appreciates the environmental benefits of transit and its role in building more sustainable communities.
One of his proudest accomplishments is writing a funding grant from scratch that helped secure the resources to build the Lexington Transit facility in Kentucky, making a lasting impact on the community.
Jared often shares advice shaped by his own experiences: when you do good work, more opportunities will follow. He encourages professionals to take pride in their work, strive for excellence, and stay open to learning.
As we celebrate Black History Month, we are proud to honor leaders like Jared Forte. His story reflects resilience, purpose, and a deep commitment to serving our communities.
