The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) Board of Trustees appointed W. Curtis Stitt as President/CEO during their January board Meeting.
Stitt's appointment is effective Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012.
Stitt has been with COTA since 1999 serving as Legislative and Government Affairs Counsel, vice president of Legal and Government Affairs/General Counsel and most recently as senior vice president and chief operating officer.
"Curtis Stitt possesses the business and management skills, experience and strategic vision to take COTA to the next level," said Linda Mauger, COTA board chair. "The board has had the opportunity to observe Mr. Stitt over the past year in his role as senior vice president and chief operating officer. We have been impressed with Mr. Stitt's measured and deliberate management style that is bolstered by his passion for COTA and public transit in our community."
The announcement is the culmination of a year-long search for a new president/CEO to replace Bill Lhota who is retiring after seven and a half years at COTA.
"Curtis has made significant contributions to the agency and has emerged as a strong leader inside COTA as well as an informed and enthusiastic transit advocate among our industry peers and community stakeholders," Lhota said.
COTA is the regional transit provider for Greater Columbus and central Ohio. COTA provided over 18.5 million passenger trips in 2011. An ongoing service expansion program includes new and expanded fixed-route bus service and the modernization of COTA's bus fleet and operations facilities.
