Terence H. Fontaine........................................... Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County

Terence H. Fontaine

TRAILBLAZER 2013

Terence H. Fontaine is a native Houstonian and a product of the Houston Independent School District, graduating from Bellaire High School in 1978. After graduation, Fontaine entered the United States Marine Corps where he began a career in aviation. During his seven-year tenure in the Marines, Fontaine worked in aviation operations, learned to fly and studied aircraft maintenance while serving his country stateside and abroad. Fontaine lived and studied abroad while working towards earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University. In 1986, after an Honorable Discharge, Fontaine enrolled in Rice Aviation School to become a licensed aircraft technician. He also attended Cliff Hyde Flying Service to continue his flight training. In 1989, Fontaine joined the Technical Operations Division of Continental Airlines in Houston, TX. While at Continental Airlines, Fontaine worked in many capacities including Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor and Project Engineer. In 1994 he became a direct report to the V.P. of Technical Operations. As the Manager of Maintenance Operations and a member of the Continental’s on-time performance committee, he focused primarily on maintenance performance. During his tenure, Continental Airlines achieved the highest headstart performance rating in company history. In 1996, Fontaine transferred to the Flight Operations Division where he worked as a Pilot Instructor on the Boeing 727 and 777. After joining the training department, Fontaine continued his education and achieved an Airline Transport Pilot’s License, the highest rating an Airline Pilot can achieve. During his time as an instructor, Fontaine completed Boeing 777 Pilot Training at The United Airlines Pilot Training Center in Denver, Colorado. He is proud to have held a Pilot Training Department record for having every student he taught, pass the required FAA oral examination on the first attempt. In January 2004, Mayor Bill White appointed Fontaine as a direct report in the capacity of Deputy Chief of Staff responsible for monitoring, measuring and improving the city’s day-to-day operations. In the wake of the mass evacuation of neighboring Gulf States as a direct result of Hurricane Katrina, Fontaine was chosen by Mayor White to serve as co-site manager for the City’s recovery efforts headquartered at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Under his leadership, the site received national recognition for its overwhelming impact on the lives of more than 28,000 evacuees and survivors who received shelter and services during the center’s three weeks of operation. In 2008 while working for the City, Fontaine graduated from the University of Houston Bauer Business School earning an Executive MBA. In January 2013 Fontaine was named Interim Executive Vice President of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County. He joined METRO in January 2010 after resigning from the Board of Directors. Fontaine has assumed the responsibilities of Tom Lambert who is the Interim President and CEO. In his spare time he is pursuing his Doctorate in Education at Texas Southern University maintaining a 3.90 GPA. Fontaine is a member of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church where he serves as a Deacon. His hobbies include politics, boating, flying, bicycling (completed the MS 150 bicycle ride from Houston to Austin), motorcycle riding, snowboarding, and encouraging young people to continue their education. Fontaine is the son of Sam and Beverlye Fontaine and is married to the former Ms. Diedra Booker. They have one daughter, Courtney Ann Fontaine.

Terence H. Fontaine Interim Executive Vice President

Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County 1900 Main Street Houston, Texas 77208 (Office) 713.739.4655 Terence.Fontaine@ridemetro.org