The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) Board of Commissioners has named Frank White III as interim CEO following a special meeting on Aug. 8. White will begin immediately with details of his contract forthcoming, according to a tweet announcing his appointment. KCATA intends to conduct a nationwide search to find a permanent CEO.
White currently serves as vice president of RideKC Development Corporation, which focuses on improving the connection between transportation and development. His role at the corporation includes an emphasis on workforce development, job access and public policy advisory, which included working with key business, civic and community stakeholders.
“Frank is the ideal choice,” said Melissa Bynum, chair of the KCATA Board of Commissioners. “To say he has earned this role is an understatement. He’s led ridership growth, created new partnerships, driven workforce development, advised public policy, developed new transit programs – the list is long. Now he gets to put it all together for the entire agency.”
White has a 25-year career that includes vice president of an insurance brokerage, an owner and founder of an insurance brokerage and a sales and marketing professional.
Additionally, White has won three first place American Public Transportation Association AdWheel Awards for marketing while serving as chief marketing officer at KCATA. He is also a 2019 graduate of the Eno Transportation Senior Executive Program.
Following news of his appointment as interim CEO of KCATA, RideKC Development Corporation sent a tweet of support that read, “Congratulations to RKCDC VP Frank White III, the newly announced interim CEO of KCATA! The work of transit service delivery and transit-oriented development are inextricably linked, and we're excited by what he can bring to the role.”
“I’m excited about this opportunity, but this really isn’t about me,” said White. “We serve the public and our role in their lives is critical, they depend on us and we must deliver on our promises. That’s my immediate top priority. Going forward, I’m committed to rebuilding relationships and restoring the funding necessary to serve our 32,000 daily riders.”
KCATA leadership shake up
White succeeds Robbie Makinen, who resigned July 27 after 15 years with KCATA as a member of its Board of Commissioners and then CEO. Makinen’s time at KCATA saw several innovations and service enhancements come to fruition, which culminated earlier this summer with the authority being recognized with the American Public Transportation Association’s 2022 Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award.
KCATA Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer Jameson Auten is in negotiations to become Lane Transit District’s (LTD) new general manager. Auten was offered the position in May at the Eugene, Ore., agency, but initially withdrew from consideration. He re-established interest with LTD and was offered the job, saying the offer aligned “for him professionally and personally.” Auten is expected to begin at LTD within the next few months.
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Updated Aug. 10, 2:28 p.m. Central to include KCATA Board Chair statement and statement from Frank White III.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
