MEO’s Patty Copperfield named PBN 40 Under 40 honoree

Maui Economic Opportunity Transportation Director Patty Copperfield was recognized Thursday night as one of Hawaiʻi’s best and brightest young leaders, earning a spot on Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40 Class of 2024.

The 40 honorees represent some of Hawai‘i’s top nonprofits, such as Hawai‘i Community Foundation, The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and Lānaʻi Culture & Heritage Center, and companies, including Matson Navigation, Hawaiian Host Group and Hawaiian Telcom. They were feted at an event at the ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach. 

In May 2021, the 30-year-old Copperfield was chosen to lead MEO’s largest department with 90 employees and 100 buses. MEO operates Maui County’s Maui Bus Americans with Disabilities Act Paratransit and Human Services systems, which provide hundreds of thousands of rides each year to doctor’s appointments, dialysis, employment, shopping and events. Riders include persons with disabilities, kupuna, youth and residents from low income households and in rural areas outside of Maui Bus routes.  MEO is the only public transportation system on Moloka‘i, Lānaʻi and East Maui.

Copperfield understands her riders firsthand and the vital lifeline her buses provide. She grew up in the rural areas of the county through which MEO buses run, including Kaupō in East Maui and Kamalō on Moloka‘i.

Her father, who passed when she was 7 years old, was the kind of rider MEO transports daily. He had a visual disability, using a walking cane and reading by Braille, and later in life required dialysis.

She and her single Mom relied on MEO’s Moloka‘i rural shuttle to get Copperfield home safe and sound.

MEO’s 40 Under 40 honoree has had to manage a couple of crises on her watch. MEO Transportation provided rides during the COVID-19 epidemic to the county’s most vulnerable population. In the wake of the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires, MEO buses joined a caravan transporting visitors and residents out of the west side and continue to provide rides to those impacted by the wildfires.

Her resume includes serving on the Maui County Commission on Persons with Disabilities, being a member of the Community Transportation Association of America and being a 2023 Ka Ipu Kukui Fellow.

“Her consistent reliability, energy and intellect are evident in her impactful achievements,” said Maui County Transportation Director Marc Takamori in a letter of recommendation. “As a trusted partner, her wisdom extends beyond her years. . . . With her continuous learning mindset, Ms. Copperfield is sure to flourish and make significant contributions in the future.”

“We are so proud of Patty,” said CEO Debbie Cabebe. “She has shown great promise at such a young age and has earned the confidence of MEO leadership and her staff. Her future is bright, which bodes well for MEO’s future as well.”