In an announcement that seemed to catch everyone off guard, David Bruffy has tendered his resignation as chief executive officer of Mountain Line Transit Authority, effective July 6.
Members of the Mountain Line Transit Authority Board of Directors were notified of the resignation Thursday morning — less than 24 hours after the board’s regular monthly meeting.
“I’ll say I’m surprised. David will be missed,” Board Member Ron Bane said. “Right now, that’s about all I know.”
Bruffy has served as the transit service’s chief administrator since October 1997. Under his leadership, Mountain Line has grown from 12 vehicles to a 43-vehicle service with more than 80 employees providing some 80,000 hours of bus service annually.
Bruffy told The Dominion Post he intends to step away and focus on his photography business, Smoke N Mirrors Photography.
“I’ve offered the board a 6-to-12-month limited duty senior advisor contract if they are interested and I may eventually do some transit consulting, but just photography for now,” he said.
Asked what prompted the decision to leave, Bruffy responded, “Everything here is in great shape: New buses, new customer service area and new offices underway, the facility upgrades are mostly finished, MLTA is financially stable and in good hands with an experienced team in place.”
Assistant Manager Maria Smith will take over Bruffy’s duties, serving as acting general manager while the board conducts a national search to fill the position.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, longtime Transit Authority Board President Jenny Densmore said Mountain Line has taken exceptional strides under Bruffy’s leadership.
“The board is incredibly grateful to David for the energy, vision and dedication he has spent developing Mountain Line Transit Authority into the top transit system in the state. David is well-known and respected on the local, state and national levels and we wish him the absolute best in all his future plans and endeavors.”
Densmore, who’s served on the transit board since the consolidation of the city and county bus systems, said she’s proud to have recommended Bruffy for the leadership position.
“Because of David’s insight, we were at the forefront nationally on how to provide service during the COVID pandemic. Under his tutelage not only have we expanded the service, but we have created 80 jobs, both of which are contributing to the economic well-being of Monongalia County,” she said. “David is a great leader and his intuitiveness made Mountain Line what it is today.”
Bruffy offered additional comments on his departure as part of the official Mountain Line press release.
“It has been my privilege and honor to work with all the men and women who served our community and helped build Mountain Line services, and I will forever be appreciative of the community support we received over the years.”
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