City names Russell A. Brashear as Assistant Transportation Director
Russell A. Brashear has been named assistant transportation director by Director Jim Kerr. Brashear’s major responsibility will include operation of the City’s Rover public transit system with 23,500 riders per month. He began his duties March 20.
Brashear has over 25 years of transportation management experience in strategic planning, training and community transportation in Orlando, Florida, Columbus, Ohio and Nashville, Tennessee. Brashear was selected among 55 applicants who were narrowed to 8, including five out-of-state. A panel reviewed three finalists in on-site interviews.
Most recently, Brashear served as General Manager for National Express Transit Corporation for the Westmoreland County Transportation Authority in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. As GM, Brashear managed daily operations of transit service.
From 2012-2014, Brashear served as V.P. of Operations for Grand Avenue and Director of Contract Services for Gray Line of Tennessee under XMI holdings. In this role, he managed oversight of the contract for RTA routes with the Regional Transportation Authority, utilizing 17 Motor Coaches, 8 Charter School contracts with 30 school buses, and 20 sightseeing vehicles.
Brashear’s transportation management experience also includes GM of MV Transportation Division 12, a large para-transit and Flex Route system with 200 vehicles and 292 drivers in Orlando, Florida. During his tenure with MV Transportation, 2005-2013, he was nominated for General Manager of the Year in 2008. He also served as GM for Division-95, located at Orlando Airport, which serves as the liaison between the Airport Authority and MV Transportation. From 2005-2007, MV-95 operated a fleet of 23 buses and 19 passenger vehicles.
Brashear’s earlier experience includes GM of Central Parking Systems at the Columbus, Airport and Landside Parking/Coordinator at the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority where he began his career as an operations specialist in 1989.
Brashear is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University in 1987 with a degree in Aerospace Administration and holds certifications as an Accredited Airport Executive (AAE), Certified Parking Facility Manager (CPFM).
As assistant transportation director, Brashear will serve under the direction of Transportation Director Jim Kerr who was appointed to the position by City Manager Rob Lyons in March 2016. Brashear replaces Nellie Patton who passed away suddenly in November 2016. In 2017, Rover is celebrating its 10-year anniversary of operating in Murfreesboro.
Brashear is a native of Murfreesboro. He and his wife, Shellie, have one son, Ryan, and two daughters, Aspen and Sydney.
