Honoring Tom Gottfried
After 35 years of transformative public service, Tom Gottfried is retiring from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)—and the impact he leaves on rural transit in Minnesota is nothing short of extraordinary.
Read the full letter from Arrowhead Transit Executive Director Brandon Nurmi here.
A Legacy That Changed the Map
Tom began his career in 1990, at a time when only 33 counties outside the Twin Cities metro area had public transit. Today, 79 of the 80 Greater Minnesota counties are served by public transportation systems—a testament to Tom’s vision and dedication. That shift didn’t happen overnight, and it didn’t happen by accident. It happened because Tom believed every Minnesotan deserved access to reliable, affordable, and accessible transportation—no matter where they lived.
Driving Innovation in Rural Public Transit
Throughout his career at MnDOT’s Office of Transit and Active Transportation, Tom was a steady force behind nearly every major milestone in Greater Minnesota transit. Some of his most enduring contributions include:
- “Painting the map blue”—a campaign to ensure every rural county had at least one transit system.
- The Heartland Express branding initiative, creating a recognizable and unified identity for rural systems.
- The Transit for Our Future program, which redefined how agencies consolidate, coordinate, and cooperate.
- Securing long-term funding, including a dedicated share of the motor vehicle sales tax for Greater Minnesota transit.
- Reducing local funding requirements, easing the burden on communities.
- Expanding state-supported vehicle procurement, ensuring rural systems could modernize their fleets.
Thanks to his leadership and ability to build partnerships across agencies and communities, rural transit ridership in Minnesota grew from 7 million rides in 1990 to over 13 million by 2019.
A Steady Hand and a Big Heart
Tom’s influence goes far beyond policy. He was known for his calm demeanor, clever one-liners, and unwavering focus on people over process. Whether it was “Clear as mud” or “Meanwhile, back at the ranch,” Tom’s words had a way of keeping everyone grounded—even when the work was anything but simple.
He believed in public transit not just as infrastructure, but as a human service. He saw the people we serve—seniors, workers, students, veterans—and reminded all of us to keep them at the center of every decision.
The Grandfather of Greater Minnesota Transit
To many of us in the transit world, Tom was more than a mentor—he was a guiding force. As Gary Ludwig, Executive Director of Trailblazer Transit, once said, Tom is the grandfather of modern Greater Minnesota public transit.
His retirement marks the end of an era. But the system he helped build—and the values he carried through every mile of the journey—will continue to shape Greater Minnesota transit for decades to come.
Thank You, Tom
On behalf of all of us at Arrowhead Transit, and from everyone across the state who has benefited from your leadership, thank you, Tom.
We’ll miss your presence, your wisdom, and your dedication—but your legacy rolls on in every bus, every driver, and every ride.
Click here to read Brandon Nurmi’s full tribute letter (PDF)