# Thomas Margro

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Thomas_Margro
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Thomas_Margro.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Margro
> Source revision: 1272912799
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

The topic of this article may not meet Wikipedia's notability guideline for biographies. Please help to demonstrate the notability of the topic by citing reliable secondary sources that are independent of the topic and provide significant coverage of it beyond a mere trivial mention. If notability cannot be shown, the article is likely to be merged, redirected, or deleted. Find sources: "Thomas Margro" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (August 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Thomas E. Margro General Manager of the Bay Area Rapid Transit system In office September 30, 1996 – June 29, 2007 Preceded by Richard A. White (1994 – 1996) Succeeded by Dorothy Dugger (2007 – 2011) CEO of Transportation Corridor Agencies In office 2007–2012 Succeeded by Neil Peterson

**Thomas E. "Tom" Margro** is a mass transportation executive, and general manager for the San Francisco [Bay Area Rapid Transit](/source/Bay_Area_Rapid_Transit) district from 1996 to 2007.[1][2][3] He was CEO of the [Transportation Corridor Agencies](/source/Transportation_Corridor_Agencies) from 2007 to 2012.[4]

## Early life and education

Margo graduated from [Syracuse University](/source/Syracuse_University) with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, and a master's degree from the [University of Pennsylvania](/source/University_of_Pennsylvania) in systems engineering, with additional post graduate studies in systems engineering.[2]

## Career

After graduating college, Margro worked as a rocket scientist for a year, working as a defense contractor on the Minuteman missile guidance system.[5]

In 1972, Margro joined [SEPTA](/source/SEPTA) in [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia) as the only electrical engineer in a team tasked with maintaining an aging and ill-maintained transit system acquired from a private company.[5] He worked at SEPTA for 18 years (till 1990); his roles there included manager of facilities engineering; senior program manager, electrical facilities; chief engineer; and ultimately assistant general manager of engineering and construction.[2][1]

Margro worked at BART from 1990 to 1995 as assistant general manager of transit system development. In that position, he was responsible for the BART Extensions Program, including the Pittsburg/Bay Point extension (the [North Concord/Martinez station](/source/North_Concord%2FMartinez_station) and [Pittsburg/Bay Point station](/source/Pittsburg%2FBay_Point_station)) and the Dublin/Pleasanton extensions (the [Castro Valley station](/source/Castro_Valley_station) and [Dublin/Pleasanton station](/source/Dublin%2FPleasanton_station)).[6][1] The stations would open between 1995 and 1997.[7]

Margro worked for a year (between 1995 and 1996) at the [New Jersey Turnpike Authority](/source/New_Jersey_Turnpike_Authority) as Director of Maintenance and Engineering Services/Chief Engineer.[5][2][1]

On June 1, 1996, it was announced that BART general manager [Richard A. White](/source/Richard_A._White) was leaving BART to become general manager of the [Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority](/source/Washington_Metropolitan_Area_Transit_Authority), with July 26 being his last day at BART.[8] Potential successor candidates mentioned at the time of his departure were Deputy General Manager [Dorothy Dugger](/source/Dorothy_Dugger) (who would become general manager in 2007), Jim Gallagher (assistant general manager of operations), Larry Williams (assistant general manager of operations), and John Haley (former deputy general manager at BART, at the time deputy general manager of the port authority in New York).[8]

On September 30, 1996, Margro became the general manager of BART,[1] succeeding White.[9] According to BART board member [Tom Radulovich](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tom_Radulovich&action=edit&redlink=1) who joined the board at about the same time, there was a general feeling at the time that the BART SFO extension (extending BART to the [San Francisco International Airport station](/source/San_Francisco_International_Airport_station) and [Millbrae Intermodal Terminal](/source/Millbrae_Intermodal_Terminal)) was lagging behind, and part of the expectation from Margro was that he would complete the extension.[6] Under Margro, BART successfully opened the extension in 2003.[7][6]

Margro was also at the helm when Measure AA, a proposal to fund BART's Earthquake Safety Program with $980 million from property taxes, was approved by voters in a referendum,[7][10][11][12] and he oversaw the initial implementation of the program.[3]

On April 10, 2007, BART announced that Margro was retiring, with June 29, 2007 being his last day. Margro would be BART's longest-serving general manager.[2] Board members Radulovich and Lynette Sweet praised his accomplishments, including getting the SFO extension completed, launching the Earthquake Safety Program, and working out a solution with unions representing BART employees to avert financial crisis.[6][1] Also, it was during Margro's tenure that BART received the [American Public Transportation Association](/source/American_Public_Transportation_Association)'s Outstanding Public Transportation System honor in 2004.[1][2] The praise was echoed by Dan Richard, a former BART board member.[5]

On August 23, 2007, [Dorothy Dugger](/source/Dorothy_Dugger), the former deputy general manager, who had been filling the role of interim general manager, became Margro's successor as general manager.[13][14]

Margro was CEO of [Transportation Corridor Agencies](/source/Transportation_Corridor_Agencies) (TCA) from 2007 (starting a little after his retirement from BART) to 2012. TCA operates toll roads in [Orange County, California](/source/Orange_County%2C_California).[4] After a nationwide search for a replacement,[4] TCA hired Neil Peterson as the new CEO, with a start date of June 3, 2013.[15]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-apta-margro-retires_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-apta-margro-retires_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-apta-margro-retires_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-apta-margro-retires_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-apta-margro-retires_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-apta-margro-retires_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-apta-margro-retires_1-6) ["Margro to Retire as BART General Manager"](http://www.apta.com/passengertransport/Documents/archive_3857.htm). American Public Transportation Association. April 16, 2007. Retrieved August 20, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bart-margro-retires_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bart-margro-retires_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-bart-margro-retires_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-bart-margro-retires_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-bart-margro-retires_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-bart-margro-retires_2-5) ["BART General Manager announces resignation"](http://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2007/news20070411). [Bay Area Rapid Transit](/source/Bay_Area_Rapid_Transit). April 10, 2007. Retrieved August 21, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-sfgate-margro-retires_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-sfgate-margro-retires_3-1) Gordon, Rachel (April 11, 2007). ["BAY AREA / Head of BART plans to resign"](http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/BAY-AREA-Head-of-BART-plans-to-resign-2603516.php). *[San Francisco Chronicle](/source/San_Francisco_Chronicle)*. Retrieved August 21, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-tca-margro-retires_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-tca-margro-retires_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-tca-margro-retires_4-2) Swanson, Justin (November 20, 2012). ["TCA Hires Search Firm for New CEO"](http://www.thecapistranodispatch.com/tca-hires-search-firm-for-new-ceo/). The Capistrano Dispatch. Retrieved August 21, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ebt-sunset_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ebt-sunset_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ebt-sunset_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-ebt-sunset_5-3) Cuff, Dennis (July 2, 2007). ["After 11 years, BART chief rides into sunset"](http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2007/07/02/after-11-years-bart-chief-rides-into-sunset/). *East Bay Times*. Retrieved August 21, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ebt-margro-retires_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ebt-margro-retires_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ebt-margro-retires_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-ebt-margro-retires_6-3) ["BART general manager to retire"](http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2007/04/10/bart-gm-to-retire/). *East Bay Times*. April 10, 2007. Retrieved August 21, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bart-40-years_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bart-40-years_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-bart-40-years_7-2) ["Forty BART Achievements Over the Years"](https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/40thFactsheet_v1.pdf) (PDF). Bay Area Rapid Transit. Retrieved June 14, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-sfgate-white-leaves-bart_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-sfgate-white-leaves-bart_8-1) Fimrite, Peter (June 1, 1996). ["BART Boss Leaving to Run D.C. Transit Authority"](http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/BART-Boss-Leaving-to-Run-D-C-Transit-Authority-2979604.php). *[San Francisco Chronicle](/source/San_Francisco_Chronicle)*. Retrieved August 21, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-bart-dugger-becomes-gm_9-0)** ["BART Board makes history, picks first female to lead agency. Board promotes Dorothy Dugger to General Manager"](http://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2007/newsx20070823). [Bay Area Rapid Transit](/source/Bay_Area_Rapid_Transit). August 23, 2007. Retrieved August 20, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-bart-eqs_10-0)** ["Earthquake Safety Program"](http://www.bart.gov/about/projects/eqs). Bay Area Rapid Transit. Retrieved June 18, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-prop-aa_11-0)** ["Proposition AA. BART Earthquake Safety Bond. San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District"](http://www.smartvoter.org/2004/11/02/ca/sf/meas/AA/). November 2, 2004. Retrieved June 18, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-measure-aa-podcast_12-0)** ["Podcast: Bond money pays off with improved earthquake safety"](https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2016/news20160929). September 29, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sfgate-dugger-becomes-gm_13-0)** ["Dorothy Dugger named new head of BART - vote challenged as tainted"](http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Dorothy-Dugger-named-new-head-of-BART-vote-2508338.php). *[San Francisco Chronicle](/source/San_Francisco_Chronicle)*. August 23, 2007. Retrieved August 20, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-mercurynews-dugger-becomes-gm_14-0)** ["Bart appoints first female general manager"](http://www.mercurynews.com/2007/08/23/bart-appoints-first-female-general-manager/). *[The Mercury News](/source/The_Mercury_News)*. August 23, 2007. Retrieved July 27, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Resolution No. F2013-06"](http://www.thetollroads.com/sites/default/files/pdf/investor/FE_FY14_budget_narrative.pdf) (PDF). [Transportation Corridor Agencies](/source/Transportation_Corridor_Agencies). Retrieved August 21, 2017.

v t e Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Current lines Rapid transit Blue Line Green Line Orange Line Red Line Yellow Line Hybrid rail Yellow Line (eBART) Automated guideway transit Oakland Airport Connector Stations Alameda County Oakland 12th Street Oakland City Center 19th Street Oakland Coliseum Fruitvale Lake Merritt MacArthur Oakland International Airport Rockridge West Oakland Ashby Bay Fair Castro Valley Downtown Berkeley Dublin/​Pleasanton Fremont Hayward North Berkeley San Leandro South Hayward Union City Warm Springs/​South Fremont West Dublin/​Pleasanton Planned (2031) Irvington Contra Costa County Antioch Concord El Cerrito del Norte El Cerrito Plaza Lafayette North Concord/​Martinez Orinda Pittsburg/​Bay Point Pittsburg Center Pleasant Hill/​Contra Costa Centre Richmond Walnut Creek San Francisco 16th Street Mission 24th Street Mission Balboa Park Civic Center/​UN Plaza Embarcadero Glen Park Montgomery Street Powell Street San Mateo County Colma Daly City Millbrae San Bruno San Francisco International Airport South San Francisco Santa Clara County Berryessa/​North San José Milpitas Planned (2036) 28th Street/​Little Portugal Diridon Downtown San José Santa Clara Infrastructure Berkeley Hills Tunnel Doolittle Maintenance and Storage Facility Market Street subway Oakland Wye Ohlone Greenway Transbay Tube History Planned expansion Silicon Valley extension Purple Line General managers B. R. Stokes (1963–1974) Larry Dahms (Acting) Frank Herringer Keith Bernard Frank Wilson (1989–1994) Richard A. White (1994–1996) Thomas Margro (1996–2007) Dorothy Dugger (2007–2011) Grace Crunican (2011–2019) Bob Powers (2019–present) Other Rolling stock BART Police Killing of Oscar Grant Bay Area Rapid Transit District Clipper card Library-A-Go-Go Valley Link Other related articles Planned stations are in italics

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Thomas Margro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Margro) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Margro?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.