HART CAO and Interim Chief of Staff Kenyatta Lee Honored as 2018 Tampa Bay Business Journal's BusinessWoman of the Year

Kenyatta Lee, Chief Administrative Officer and interim chief of staff of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority was named 2018 BusinessWoman of the Year by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Lee was recognized not only for her business success but her passion and drive to improve the public transit industry.

The annual award distinguishes the exemplary business women within their respective industries who have made a tremendous impact on our community. The award, in its 14th year of existence, celebrates the achievements of women by highlighting their successes in business throughout the Tampa Bay area. Honorees were selected from more than 300 nominations.

"I'm very honored and humbled to have been selected as a2018 Tampa Bay Business Journal BusinessWoman of the year. It is amazing to be part of such a distinguished group of women in the Tampa Bay area." said Lee. "HART is committed to innovation that offers mobility solutions to our transit customers and the community at large."

Over the course of more than 20 years, Lee's career has included many high-profile leadership positions throughout various industries. A results-oriented leader, Lee has an unbeaten track record at strengthening organizations through process improvement and implementing inventive methods to achieve organizational strategic goals and objectives. Lee is also a 2015 graduate of Leadership APTA, a competitive professional development program for transportation leaders sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). She is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management, Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, American Public Transportation Association and Women in Transportation Seminar. Lee's positive influence is known industry-wide, and her dedication to developing others through mentoring epitomizes the HART spirit of supporting and inspiring other women.

"Ms. Lee is passionate about the public transportation profession and recognizes the importance of transportation as an economic engine and a critical element of our country's quality of life," said HART Board Chair Commissioner Lesley "Les" Miller. "This recognition is well deserved, and we are fortunate to have Ms. Lee, a proven leader and dedicated HART employee, as our CAO and interim chief of staff. The nomination is another testament to the hard work of HART staff, the Board of Directors, and the entire HART family, as we are always working together to provide the exceptional transit service this community deserves."

The TBBJ will celebrate all the honorees at a gala August 17, 2018, at The Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina.