TriMet names Blagg head of safety and security

The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) has appointed Marla Blagg executive director of safety and security effective Oct. 22.

Blagg will succeed Harry Saporta, who plans to retire in early 2018 after eight years leading the agency's safety and security efforts.

Blagg previously served as an emergency manager for Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) in San Francisco, where she established the agency's emergency operations center.

At BART, she also helped establish strategic planning and coordination of safety, security and operations during high-level security events, major operational incidents and natural disasters, TriMet officials said in a press release.

Prior to joining BART, Blagg worked with the Sheriff's Office, Fire Department and Public Health Department in Alameda County, California.

She is a member of the American Public Transportation Association's security emergency management task force committee.

"Blagg brings proven leadership and management skills to TriMet," said TriMet Chief Operating Officer Maurice Henderson II. "She identifies needs and works toward solutions that benefit the public’s safety and an agency's operation."