People On the Move: CAT, COTPA

The Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) and Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA) have made new appointments to their respective leadership teams. 

CAT 

CAT has named Karen Davis as its new assistant director of operations, effective Oct. 7, 2024. Davis brings more than 10 years of experience in the public transportation industry, having most recently served as the director of operations for Williamsburg Area Transit Authority (WATA), where she led key operational initiatives, implemented safety protocols and managed the daily transit services for the region.  

Davis has worked her way up in the transportation world, starting as a transit operator and progressing through various leadership roles, including dispatcher, supervisor/ADA Coordinator and ultimately becoming director of operations. Her hands-on experience in the field at every level of transit operations, combined with her leadership in overseeing staff performance, operational strategy and customer service initiatives, equips her to take on this new role. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Karen to the CAT family,” said CAT Director Garland Williams. “Her extensive background in transit operations and her proven leadership will be instrumental as we continue to provide reliable and efficient services to the Charlottesville community.”  

As the assistant director of operations, Davis will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of CAT, implementing safety and customer service programs, and ensuring compliance with local, state and federal regulations. She will also play a critical role in developing and executing CAT's long-term operational strategies as the organization moves towards a more sustainable, emissions-free future. 

COPTA 

Jesse Rush has been named administrator of  COTPA and director of the city of Oklahoma City’s Public Transportation and Parking Department. Rush comes into this new position after serving as the EMBARK assistant director of operations.  

“Jesse understands the critical role public transportation plays in the lives of metro area residents,” said Oklahoma City Manager Craig Freeman. “He has the skills to lead transit through another period of growth as we add two more bus rapid transit lines over the next few years through MAPS 4, launch micro transit options and implement OKC Moves, our fixed route bus transformation plan.” 

Rush has helped grow the public transportation and parking department by overseeing the design, construction and implementation of Oklahoma City’s first streetcar (OKC Streetcar) and bus rapid transit system (RAPID NW). 

Rush first started with the city of Oklahoma City in 2014 as a project manager for MAPS. As project manager for the OKC Streetcar, he managed the design and construction of the streetcar’s route alignment, storage and maintenance facility, and was involved in securing vehicle procurement contracts.  

He joined EMBARK in 2016, seeing the OKC Streetcar project through to completion and served as EMBARK’s first streetcar manager. In December 2020, he was promoted to assistant director of operations, where he was responsible for all EMBARK operations, maintenance, parking, safety, capital projects, Oklahoma River Cruises and the OKC Streetcar. 

“Public transportation is one of the most important services Oklahoma City provides its residents,” COTPA Chair Barney Semtner said. “Jesse has the leadership skills required to help us continue growing a transportation system that is accessible to everyone.” 

Rush has been a member of the Oklahoma Transit Association since 2019 and served as board president in 2021. 

“Transit services are vital public infrastructure that open doors of opportunity for residents and the community,” Rush said. “I am grateful to take on this new challenge to lead the teams continuing to execute our vision of providing world-class transit services for the Oklahoma City metro.”