Bair leaving post as managing director of RCOC

Long-time Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) Managing Director Brent Bair has announced he will retire at the end of 2011.

“Brent’s influence in the world of Oakland County and Michigan roads has been enormous,” said RCOC Board Chairman Eric Wilson. “I don’t think there is any other individual in the state who has personally had such a tremendous impact on Michigan roads for such a long time.”

Bair has worked for the road commission for more than 34 years and has been managing director for the last 19 years. Prior to that, he served as deputy managing director, director of the RCOC’s Planning and Development Department, transportation planning coordinator and risk management program coordinator.

“There is no question that Brent’s leadership is directly responsible for the stability this agency has experienced and for the road commission’s widely acknowledged reputation as a leader and innovator in everything from traffic technology to safety to road design,” said RCOC Board Vice Chairman Greg Jamian.

In Oakland County, Bair is a member and former chairman of the Oakland County Business Roundtable Transportation Committee. He is also a board member and past president of the County Road Association of Michigan (CRAM), and serves on the Traffic Improvement Association Board of Directors.

Bair has been recognized as a leader in his work with the Intelligent Transportation Society (ITS). He is a founding member, past president and current board member of ITS of Michigan and is a former board member and past chairman of ITS of America. He also served as chairman of the ITS Congressional Caucus Public Sector Advisory Committee, advising members of Congress on matters related to ITS.

Bair is also a member of the 2014 ITS World Congress Host Committee, which successfully lobbied to bring the largest international ITS conference and exhibition to Detroit.

The RCOC Board will conduct a thorough search for Bair’s replacement, which will culminate with interviews of the top candidates.