# Dennis Howard

> Dennis Howard is CEO and President of GILLIG LLC, America's oldest surviving bus manufacturer and the second-largest heavy-duty transit bus maker in North America. Based in Livermore, California, GILLIG produces clean diesel, CNG, hybrid electric, battery electric, and hydrogen fuel cell buses that move millions of commuters across the United States daily. Under executive leadership, the company has leaned into the electric revolution - deploying fleets for King County Metro, PSTA, and dozens of transit agencies - while remaining a privately held American family business rooted in 135 years of craftsmanship.

- **Role:** CEO/President at GILLIG LLC
- **Organizations:** GILLIG LLC, CC Industries / Henry Crown & Company
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Accounting and Finance, Seattle University
- **Known for:** Led GILLIG through transition to clean energy bus portfolio including battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses, Oversaw GILLIG's landmark relocation to state-of-the-art 640,000 sq ft Livermore facility in 2017, GILLIG holds approximately 31% market share of U.S./Canadian heavy-duty transit bus manufacturing

## Career timeline

- **1978** — Began professional career
- **1986-2005** — Worked at California Department of Motor Vehicles in various roles including title, dealership, vehicle registration, and non-resident departments
- **2008+** — GILLIG became a Henry Crown & Company subsidiary under CC Industries; Dennis Howard part of continued management
- **2017** — GILLIG relocated from Hayward to new 640,000 sq ft facility in Livermore, California
- **2018** — GILLIG launched Battery Electric Bus product line under executive leadership
- **2024** — GILLIG participated in historic White House Bus Summit on Clean Bus Manufacturing; launched hydrogen fuel cell bus
- **2024** — GILLIG signed deal with King County Metro for up to 306 electric buses
- **2025+** — GILLIG battery electric buses deployed across Hawaii, Duluth, University of Maryland, and DART

## Achievements

- Led GILLIG through transition to clean energy bus portfolio including battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses
- Oversaw GILLIG's landmark relocation to state-of-the-art 640,000 sq ft Livermore facility in 2017
- GILLIG holds approximately 31% market share of U.S./Canadian heavy-duty transit bus manufacturing
- Maintained GILLIG's position as second-largest transit bus manufacturer in North America by volume
- Guided GILLIG through historic White House Bus Summit participation in February 2024
- GILLIG secured King County Metro contract for up to 306 electric buses
- GILLIG serves transit agencies, universities, and regional authorities across the United States
- Company operates a 3-megawatt solar installation at Livermore facility with 7,800 panels

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — GILLIG battery electric buses joining Duluth transit routes
- **2026-04** — University of Maryland receiving 27 GILLIG battery electric buses
- **2025-10** — DART awarded 476-vehicle GILLIG fleet modernization contract
- **2025-07** — GILLIG battery electric buses deployed across all four Hawaii island counties
- **2024-03** — King County Metro contract for up to 395 GILLIG electric buses announced
- **2024-02** — GILLIG participated in White House Bus Summit on Clean Bus Manufacturing
- **2024-01** — GILLIG and PSTA launched new battery electric bus fleet

## Links

- Website: https://gillig.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-howard-17745a35
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/gilligbuses
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/gilligllc/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/dennis-howard
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-30