People on the Move: CHSRA, Broward County Transit, Garret Transit, LTD
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA), Broward County Transit (BCT), Garret Transit Service (GTS) and Lane Transit District (LTD) have made new appointments to their respective leadership teams.
CHSRA
Peter Whippy has been appointed CHSRA’s chief of external affairs. Whippy has 15 years of experience leading communications for government agencies across the U.S. He was communications director for the United States Committee on House Administration from 2019 to 2023, where he was previously democratic communications director from 2017 to 2019. He was communications director in the Office of U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18) from 2014 to 2018. Whippy was press secretary and legislative assistant in the Office of U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA-11) from 2010 to 2014. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
BCT
BCT has promoted Angelica Love to deputy general manager and Bob Ernst to acting COO.
Love has more than two decades of transit and financial expertise and has been with BCT since 2020. In her expanded role, she will oversee key areas such as administration, finance, IT, compliance, workforce training, special projects and innovation.
Ernst was previously BCT’s assistant general manager of mechanical assets and equipment. He spent 28 years at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and has a background in transit engineering. Ernst is a former U.S. Air Force aircraft mechanic and has an understanding of fleet management, maintenance and infrastructure development. Ernst will help the agency in optimizing bus maintenance and operations, fleet services, paratransit services and IT onboard systems.
GTS
Cody Kroll has been named director of GTS. Kroll has a strong background in transportation and leadership, including managing non-emergency medical transportation at Garrett County Lighthouse.
“Transportation is vital to the well-being of our community, and we are thrilled to have Cody leading this critical area,” said Garrett County Community Action Committee Inc. (GCCAC) President and CEO Chris Mullett. “His leadership and innovative approach will help us improve service delivery, overcome challenges and expand our reach to better meet the needs of our residents.”
The GCCAC says Kroll’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for GTS, as GCCAC addresses funding challenges and works to ensure the continuity of essential transportation services in Garrett County, Md. The Garrett County Board of Commissioners has pledged $367,000 in emergency funding to support GTS operations through the county’s fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2025.
“Transportation is a lifeline for our community, and I am honored to lead Garrett Transit Service during this pivotal time,” Kroll said. “With the county’s support and the dedication of our team, I look forward to strengthening operations and ensuring our services meet the needs of residents across Garrett County.”
LTD
LTD has named Julie Lindsey as its new chief financial officer and Mike Hursh as its new COO.
Lindsey brings 34 years of financial management to LTD, including local nonprofits, Eugene School District 4J and Eugene Springfield Fire & EMS. She’s also been an instructor at several regional educational institutions. Lindsey will oversee LTD’s finance and procurement departments.
“LTD is an organization dedicated to living its core values, including collaboration and integrity,” Lindsey said. “Maintaining LTD’s strong financial position with transparency is critical, and I look forward to doing it with a talented team.”
Hursh was previously the CEO for Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District in Oakland, Calif. He oversaw the launch of a bus rapid transit system and the opening of a major transit hub in San Francisco. Under Hursh’s leadership, AC Transit was awarded the 2023 Outstanding Public Transportation System Award from the American Public Transportation Association. He’ll oversee LTD’s operations, fleet, materials management, CSC/accessible services and public safety departments.
“From the moment I stepped onto an LTD bus, I was impressed by the professionalism of the bus operators and the ease of getting around the area on public transit,” Hursh said. “I look forward to sharing my 32 years of transit experience with my new LTD family and the communities we serve.”
LTD CEO Jameson Auten said, “We now have fully staffed, high caliber executive leadership positioned to do some really important work. Putting Mike and Julie on our team at this critical time for LTD means good things for the region as we further develop our role as mobility manager.”
Brandon Lewis | Associate Editor
Brandon Lewis is a recent graduate of Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Lewis is a former freelance editorial assistant at Vehicle Service Pros in Endeavor Business Media’s Vehicle Repair Group. Lewis brings his knowledge of web managing, copyediting and SEO practices to Mass Transit Magazine as an associate editor. He is also a co-host of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast.
