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Blessed Are the Flexible: Building a Culture of Adaptability Across a Workforce You Don't Employ with Doran Barnes

Season #5

Episode 49: Blessed Are the Flexible: Building a Culture of Adaptability Across a Workforce You Don't Employ with Doran Barnes 

"Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be broken." ~Doran Barnes 

What does it take to build a strong, inclusive culture when the people driving your buses and turning your wrenches don't technically work for you? Doran Barnes has been answering that question for 23 years. As CEO of Foothill Transit since 2003, he leads an agency where every frontline operator and mechanic is employed by a private contractor, and he has built shared purpose across that line anyway. In this episode, Doran shares the leadership philosophy behind it all, from his start driving a bus in college to preparing his agency for the Olympics, and reveals the hiring practices, values, and daily disciplines that make transit a people business first. 

Key takeaways: 

  • Why culture doesn't require an employment contract. 
  • How Foothill's unorthodox approach to interviewing allows them to assess how candidates contribute, listen, and interact, and build shared ownership of a new hire's success before day one. 
  • Why flexibility and resiliency only protect an organization when they're lived values, tested and proven through real disruption. 
  • What ethical AI adoption should actually look like. 
  • Why relentless relationship building with employees, partners, and community is the key to people-forward leadership™. 

About Doran Barnes 

Doran Barnes has dedicated his career to making public transportation more efficient, accessible, and community-focused. As CEO of Foothill Transit since 2003, he leads a 38-line bus system and oversees operations for 360 buses that serve thousands of commuters every day. His leadership extends to managing private contractors, ensuring the agency runs smoothly and meets riders' needs. Before stepping into this role, Doran honed his expertise as CEO and General Manager of Tulsa Transit in Oklahoma, where he spent two years fostering public transit solutions. 

A lifelong advocate for public transportation, Doran’s influence reaches far beyond Foothill Transit. He serves on the Board of Directors for Access Services, the paratransit provider for Los Angeles County, and has held leadership roles within the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), including Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary-Treasurer. His commitment to advancing the industry is also evident in his work with the Transit Cooperative Research Program’s Oversight and Project Selection (TOPS) Commission, where he currently serves as Immediate Past Chair. Doran also serves on the Executive Committee of the California Transit Association, contributing his vision to statewide transit policies. Doran was recently appointed to the CalStart board of directors and was elected corporate secretary.  

Doran’s academic background reflects his global perspective and commitment to public service. He earned a master's degree in public administration from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from UC Davis. 

Doran’s contributions aren’t limited to transit. He is deeply engaged in his local community, serving on the Planning Commission for the City of San Dimas, the San Dimas Chamber of Commerce board, and the East Valley Community Health Center board. He’s also a Past President of the West Covina Rotary Club and a member of the Tennant Foundation Board of Directors. 

With over two decades of experience, Doran Barnes is not just a leader in the transit industry; he is a passionate advocate for building stronger, more connected communities. 

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