Dave Carmichael has more people reporting to him than many company presidents. 

The 32-year-old graduate of Mohawk College’s Transportation Planning Technology program (now Transportation Engineering Technology) is a Divisional Superintendent, Roncesvalles Division of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). He is responsible for 350 of the TTC’s 10,000 employees – 320 operators, 18 inspectors and 12 administrative/clerical people in the west end of the downtown core. Carmichael, a graduate of Burlington’s Nelson Secondary School, has a slice of the TTC’s operating budget of $500 million. 

After graduating from Nelson, Carmichael enrolled in part-time studies at Mohawk and took some night courses before spotting his future vocation in the college calendar.

“I saw some Transportation Planning, Traffic Engineering Courses and took three courses while I was working. I was at a plastic bottle factory in Burlington. Basically, I was killing time and earning money while trying to decide what I wanted to do with my life," he said.

“I enjoyed the courses so I quit my job and came back full-time.”

There were several different options but Carmichael chose public transit “which was fairly new at the time”. The co-op program took him to Mississauga, Hamilton and Edmonton. 

"I didn’t have any trouble finding a job and I don’t know many others that did,“ he recalled. “I was lucky enough to get into the planning department of the TTC when I graduated in 1980."

“The City of Toronto is growing and growing. The traffic congestion is making it more difficult for the TTC to do its job. There is also more competition for transit dollars from the provincial government. Also, you have to be aware of what’s going on politically.” 

The challenges are not just external.  

“I’m 32 years old which is young for the position,” Carmichael said. “Traditionally, it was a bus driver or street car driver with 35 years on the job, a grizzled old veteran. 

“It was an obstacle to overcome. I was the new kid on the block. Obviously, there was a bit of resistance there. I was in the right place at the right time. Some people took me under their wing and helped me along.” 

Those sentiments were among several Carmichael shared with members of the Class of 1988 when he presented an Alumni Address during the Fall Convocation ceremonies last September. 

Carmichael, who serves on a Mohawk advisory committee, has two brothers with Mohawk connections. Ken graduated from the same program and works in Traffic Operations for the City of Kitchener. Doug went through Radiography and works at the McMaster University Medical Centre. 

It’s been a rewarding career Carmichael said, “It hasn’t been all roses, but it’s been an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything.” 

This story was originally published in the Winter 1989 edition of the Mohawk Alumni In Touch magazine.