David Armijo

About David Armijo

Key Leadership Achievements:Expanded ridership by 774% since 2017, including consecutive annual increases of 36% and 28%, positioning SCRTD among the fastest-growing rural/regional transit systems in the Southwest.Earned #1 statewide performance ranking for three consecutive years in efficiency and ridership growth, and received New Mexico Transit Agency of the Year (2022).Secured more than $10.5 million in federal and state grants (FTA 5310, 5311, 5339, CMAQ, Low-No, and partner-funded programs) to support fleet replacement, facility expansion, technology upgrades, and workforce initiatives.Led SCRTD’s zero-emission transition, deploying battery-electric buses, advancing charging infrastructure, and integrating sustainability practices into long-range capital and service planning.Expanded transit network and system capacity, adding new routes, increasing frequencies, and improving regional mobility connections to major destinations, employment centers, health facilities, and educational institutions.Directed major capital projects, including the Sunland Park Mobility & Energy Hub, fleet modernization, micro-transit program launch, facility improvements, and multi-phase infrastructure development.Strengthened organizational performance through workforce development, training programs, financial controls, and policy modernization, improving accountability, operational efficiency, and service quality.Developed strong partnerships with federal agencies, state legislators, MPOs, county and municipal governments, and community stakeholders, advancing policy, funding, and long-range mobility strategies.

Experience

1. Executive Director

   South Central Regional Transit District

   Nov 2015 — Present

   I am directing, coordinating, and supervising the day-to-day operations of the transit district. This three-county 13,800 square mile service area includes bus, shuttle services, and commuter rail when operational. Transit ridership has fully recovered from the pandemic while rising by 36 and 28 percent, respectively, in the past two years. In April 2023, the New Mexico Department of Transportation awarded SCRTD with Transit Agency of the Year for 2022. Further, in 2022, the district secured over 10.5 million in federal grants to transition the bus fleet to Zero Emission.As executive director, I coordinate policies of the Board related to the administration and operational services for the district. This includes providing leadership, direction, and guidance in managing transit operations issues. Serves as project lead in the planning and design of passenger rail service. We are coordinating with contractors the execution of a regional passenger rail study and subsequent planning and programming of a commuter rail service. Policy analysis includes the production of a ten-year plan, annual service changes and production of a zero-emission plan.

Education

• California State University, Long Beach

  Master's degree, Public Policy and Administration

• California State University, Long Beach

  Masters, Public Policy & Administration

  1999 — 2001

• San Diego State University

  Bachelor's, Public Administration

  1978 — 1981

Skills

• Contract Negotiation
• Start-Ups
• Budget
• Staff Development
• Government
• Nonprofits
• Bus
• Land Use Planning
• Budgets
• Transportation Planning
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Proposal Writing
• Rail
• Process Improvement
• Economic Development
• Public Administration
• Fundraising
• Leadership
• Grant Writing
• Urban Planning
• Project Planning
• Leadership Development
• Research
• Grants
• Public Policy
• Conflict Resolution
• Workforce Development
• Program Management
• Process Scheduler
• Training
• Public Relations
• Public Transport
• Supervisory Skills
• Policy
• Contract Management
• Human Resources
• Public Speaking
• Policy Analysis
• Management