City searching for Transit Windsor executive director as current head plans retirement

Pat Delmore, executive director of Transit Windsor has announced he is retiring later this year, prompting the city to begin its search for his replacement.

Delmore has worked with the city for about 33 years, beginning as a bus driver and eventually working his way to the top job in Windsor public transit.

During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, Delmore oversaw the suspension of transit services due to safety concerns. Approximately 130 Transit Windsor staff members were laid off.

Despite the changes brought on by the pandemic, Windsor Ward 3 Coun. Rino Bortolin, who also sits on the Transit Windsor Advisory Committee,said Delmore will "follow through, no problem" on the work he's done to date including work on the eight-year Transit Windsor master plan approved by city councillors in January.

"I'm not worried about the immediate term, insofar as being able to transition now with the pandemic, and then even getting the bearings to get going on the master plan," Bortolin said.

Instead, the city councillor said he wants to make sure the city is well-poised in the long-term to find someone "who understands transit, who really lives and breathes transit like [Delmore] did."

"We need someone at the helm that will be able to not just take us over the next year or two, but make sure that the next five to 10, we're positioned to really make an impact and really institute this master plan," Bortolin said.

The City of Windsor began its search for Delmore's replacement on Tuesday, posting the job opening to its website.

"It'd be nice if there was sort of this obvious choice from within who was ready and had the right experience and level," Bortolin sasid. "But I think we'll open up the search, and I think that will be a good sign for Transit Windsor."

Mark Winterton, Windsor's city engineer, said administration will begin shortlisting potential candidates for first-round interviews once the job posting closes.

"We're hoping to have somebody chosen by, let's say end of July, early August," Winterton said, adding it would be ideal to have a final candidate by Labour Day.

"Once the person is here, they would be tagging along with [Delmore] on virtually everything, kind of joined at the hip for the time time that [Delmore] is still remaining at Transit Windsor."

Winterton added there's "never a great time to lose somebody of Pat's calibre."

"I know the way [Delmore] is, he'll embrace the new person when we make that choice, and I'm sure he'll do everything he can to make sure he gives as much information as possible to the new person."