Whether directing MAX trains behind the scenes or rebuilding Mustangs on YouTube, James Brown brings patience and precision to his passions
Behind a nondescript door flanked by a backlit, engraved glass mural, lies one of TriMet’s most important rooms. It’s a room so secure only a handful of people have access to it.
One of them is TriMet’s Supervisor of the Year, James Brown. And he knows exactly what you’re thinking: Yes, his parents were fans, and no, he doesn’t dance. While the other James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, proclaimed himself the “hardest working man in show business,” TriMet’s James Brown exhibits a bit more humility. In fact, he says when he was named TriMet’s Supervisor of the Year for 2025, he was overcome by emotion.
He works inside TriMet’s Operations Command Center as a Rail Controller. His job is to manage the movement of trains to ensure their safe and efficient operation. This is where buses and trains are overseen by teams of highly trained experts like James, a 29-year veteran of TriMet. Dispatchers work with bus teams while Controllers like James work with MAX teams. This role makes him a familiar voice to TriMet’s operators.
Much of his time is spent communicating with MAX operators, Rail Supervisors and others over a radio headset. Explaining things clearly and concisely is a skill he has honed while helping operators troubleshoot issues, move trains through work zones or help organize impromptu shuttle buses. James even has a simple way of explaining what he and the 28 other Rail Controllers do. “We’re like air traffic controllers,” James says. “They work with planes, we work with trains.”
Setting the tone
James’ voice is an important tool. As he puts it, it can set the pace for everyone’s day. His voice is appropriately calm and steady. That also describes his approach to situations – calm and steady – especially those that are out of the ordinary and may present a challenge to an operator.
“The biggest thing for any controller to learn is empathy,” James says. “Being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Being able to use empathy in such a way to help the operator, or to help the general public.”
This is important because a Rail Controller has to assist hundreds of different people, troubleshoot sensitive problems and handle every situation objectively. That makes the relationship between operators and controllers one that’s built on trust.
This trust comes from shared experiences and knowledge. Rail Controllers know exactly what it’s like to be a MAX operator because they’ve all been one. James operated MAX trains for two years before applying to be a Rail Controller, a respected and highly sought after position. He wasn’t sure if he’d make the cut, but after sitting on a waiting list for roughly 15 weeks, followed by 11 weeks of intensive training, he took his place inside the Operations Command Center.
After nearly three decades with TriMet, he is exactly where he wants to be.
Supervisor of the Year
James doesn’t want to take sole credit as TriMet’s Supervisor of the Year, even as it comes with a special distinction.
Every year, TriMet recognizes the hard work and accomplishments of our employees. In previous years, this has included naming bus, MAX and streetcar operators of the year. There are also separate awards for bus and rail mechanics. But this is the first year where an honor has gone to a Supervisor of the Year, making James the inaugural recipient.
He says it’s a win for everyone who works in TriMet’s Operations Command Center because it reflects their tireless dedication. For all of his colleagues, safety is first and foremost. They work hard for the public, James says, because their jobs require looking after people.
“It’s fulfilling to me to help people through situations, and to make sure they’re OK and that they’re safe,” James says. “That to me is the most fulfilling part of the job.”
‘Superfly’ garage
Outside of work, you can find James on YouTube, where he runs the channel “OG Superfly Garage” with his 22-year-old daughter. She’s the editor, and he’s the on-screen talent. The channel is dedicated to the restoration of third-generation Mustangs – those built between 1979 and 1993.
“We tear engines down, and we build them back up,” James says. “We try to explain difficult situations and help someone else with that situation.”
Before starting the channel, James had to purchase an old Mustang. His choice was a late-1980s model, with a black paint job and red interior. James dubs it the Black Widow. It makes an appearance in many of his videos – and he has hundreds.
For nearly three years, James has consistently uploaded an average of three and a half videos per week to his channel, totaling over 500. This intensive hobby, driven by his passion for cars, engines and helping people solve problems, is something he plans to continue. The collaboration also allows him to spend quality time with his daughter, who, through their work together, is developing her video-editing skills.
As for TriMet, and the skills he’s honed over the past 29 years, he points to his fellow controllers and TriMet’s riders as inspiration to keep working hard.
“I love my job. I love the people I work with,” James says. “And for me to be recognized for that, it’s almost overwhelming because I’m no different than anybody else. I just come here and do my job to the best of my ability.”