In Focus

Bill Forsythe '74, recipient of Azusa Pacific University's 2000 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award, spearheaded this improved model of service. He supervised the creation of Foothill Transit in 1988, and his company, Forsythe and Associates, Inc., managed the system until National Express Corporation purchased it in January 2000. In 1998-99, Forsythe's company earned $16 million from the operation of buses for several transit agencies and school districts. Founded in 1984, Forsythe and Associates employs approximately 550 staff members in California and Arizona.

Forsythe's success is a result of his focus on riders rather than buses. That strategy transformed Foothill Transit into a multi award-winning agency. "Bill is an entrepreneur and visionary who exemplifies the spirit of many of our alumni," said Craig Wallace '81, director of alumni relations.

Forsythe honed his leadership skills when he coordinated transportation for the 1984 Olympic Games. By convincing people to ride buses instead of driving to the events, traffic on Los Angeles roadways was dramatically reduced. "My fondest memory of the 1984 Olympics is driving down the Santa Monica Freeway and seeing cars passing me at more than 70 miles per hour. Many had predicted gridlock for all Los Angeles freeways. Yet on the heaviest traffic day of the Olympics, there was less congestion than normal. Our plan had worked better than anyone else expected," he said.

In addition to the 1984 Games, his company has transported the American television broadcasting teams assigned to various venues at every Olympic Games from Barcelona in 1992 to Sydney in 2000. "NBC's transportation went perfectly, and they were pleased with our performance," Forsythe said. His company is under contract with NBC Sports to provide the same services in 2002 and 2004.

Whether busing Los Angeles residents or Olympic broadcasters, Forsythe urged his staff to deliver excellent service. He developed this devotion to high standards from the many role models in his life. One such role model was Olympic Organizing Committee President Peter Uberroth. While working with Uberroth on the 1984 Olympics, Forsythe gleaned elements of his boss' dedication to purpose that helped him become a successful entrepreneur.

At Azusa Pacific, then-Business Manager and current APU Vice President Emeritus, Hank Bode, JD, was another mentor. When Forsythe worked as director of Physical Plant, Bode nurtured the leadership potential he saw in Forsythe. Bode remembers Forsythe's strong business skills. "Bill is a very talented leader who has the determination to make ventures successful," he said. "He was always able to come up with creative solutions to problems."

Forsythe's road to Azusa Pacific was not a straight path. An Oklahoma native, he left college due to poor grades and was drafted in 1969, entering the U.S. Army in January 1970. While serving as a chaplain's assistant in Heidelberg, Germany, the Concert Choir from Azusa Pacific College (APC) performed in the city's Holy Ghost Church. Forsythe arranged the group's accommodations while they were in town. His positive interaction with the students and then-staff member Klaus Kleber prompted him to apply to APC. He left the Army in May 1972 and began classes at Azusa Pacific that summer. "APC was my chance to redeem myself educationally," he said. "I decided to prove that I could succeed in college. The small campus, personal attention, and Christian environment helped me get back on the road to success."

After studying and working at APC, Forsythe remained in the local area until 1999, when he and his wife, Adel, moved to Las Vegas. Today, he is semi-retired, but still manages transportation for the Olympics and other national and international events, and started an online technical consulting firm.

Forsythe's son, Rob, and daughter, Kerry, keep him connected to Southern California as well as the university. Rob is an APU student, while Kerry attends Biola University. "The small college environment that both APU and Biola offer has been very positive for Rob and Kerry," he said. "Along with knowing they are receiving wonderful educations, I have seen each of them gain both a deeper spiritual commitment and preparation for the relationships they will develop throughout their lives."

Looking back on his career, Forsythe is pleased with his business accomplishments. But his interaction with those working with him brings the most satisfaction. "Personally, my greatest professional contribution is to the development of others," he said. Forsythe's involvement both in the transportation industry and to those with which he works is a standard that makes a daily difference. It is his dedication to top-notch service that gets riders where they are going feeling good.