BATA Selects Kelly Yaroch-Dunham Executive Director

The Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) announced the selection of Kelly Yaroch-Dunham as its new executive director. Yaroch-Dunham currently serves as BATA’s director of operations and human resources. Mary Marois will continue to serve as BATA’s interim executive director as a special ad hoc committee created by BATA’s Board of Directors negotiates Yaroch-Dunham’s contract and transition plan. Approval of Yaroch-Dunham’s contract and transition will be finalized at BATA’s Jan. 27, board meeting and she will officially assume her new role shortly thereafter.

BATA’s Board of Directors completed an extensive interview process that started in November after BATA’s former Executive Director Thomas Menzel, was selected to serve as county administrator for Grand Traverse County. The BATA Board received 23 applications for the position. The applicants were then narrowed down to four top candidates (two internal and two external) that were interviewed in-person by the BATA Board the week of Jan. 4.

“We’re very excited to promote Kelly to the role of executive director,” said Dan Lathorp, vice-chairman, BATA Board of Directors. “All four of the candidates we interviewed were very impressive and would each bring a unique perspective and set of skills to BATA. Once the interviews were complete and deliberations began one candidate stood out above all others, and the board unanimously voted to offer Kelly the position.”

Yaroch-Dunham has been with BATA for more than six years. Her previous experience includes working in human resources at Charlevoix Public Schools and as a project coordinator for a manufacturing company outside of Chicago. She earned her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and a mini-MBA certificate from Ferris State University. 

“During my short time at BATA I’ve been very impressed with Kelly’s leadership and in-depth knowledge of the business,” Marois said. “Kelly’s vision for BATA’s future direction and her connections in the community make her the best choice to lead this organization.”

Yaroch-Dunham’s first priorities in 2016 will include hiring administrative staff to fill her vacated position and conducting a community needs assessment to gather input on BATA’s current and future service to help better plan for what people want from public transit in the region. She’ll also be coordinating efforts around a millage request in May 2017 as BATA’s current property tax funding millage expires at the end of 2017.

“I’m honored to be selected to serve as BATA’s new executive director,” Yaroch-Dunham said. “BATA has a strong brand and solid foundation and I’ll continue to build on BATA’s mission of delivering safe, high-quality, efficient and reliable transportation services in Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties that link people, jobs, and communities.”