By Brandon Rapez-Betty , Interim Co-CEO and Chief Operations Officer
As Spokane Transit continues to grow in scale and ambition, our ability to deliver safe, reliable, and comfortable service hinges on strengthening internal capacity—one of STA’s three goals outlined in the Connect 2035 strategic plan.
Ensuring we are structurally equipped to meet both the demands of today and the aspirations of tomorrow requires a strong leadership foundation and a diversity of talent throughout the organization. With that in mind, we’re excited to announce the addition of Andrew Casper as STA’s new Deputy Chief of Operations.
Andy brings more than 16 years of operational leadership experience, most recently serving as Operations Director at Fairchild Air Force Base. There, he led fleet operations for over 700 personnel and 67 aircraft, improving efficiency, safety, and readiness across multiple teams and functional areas. His background also includes large-scale process improvement initiatives, workforce development programs, and data-driven systems that produced tangible results—such as a 20% increase in operational availability and millions in annual cost savings.
As Deputy Chief, Andy will play a vital role in supporting the teams responsible for Fixed Route, Paratransit, Rideshare, Maintenance, and Facilities & Grounds. His arrival marks an important step in building the leadership capacity needed to sustain STA’s continued growth and evolving service demands.
With 30% growth in service over the last decade, Operations has seen a significant increase in scope—more employees, more vehicles, more technology, and more initiatives than ever before. Adding Andy to our leadership team strengthens our structure to manage that growth, while also allowing me to focus more strategically and spend more time supporting our frontline employees.
Andy’s leadership style emphasizes respect, inclusion, and empowerment. He’s known for fostering high-performing teams and has a strong track record of aligning people, processes, and performance toward mission success. His experience will be an asset as STA continues to integrate new technologies, implement major capital projects, and elevate the quality of transit services throughout the region.
Please join me in welcoming Andy Casper to STA.
