Columbia Area Transit appoints John Andoh to directorship

John Andoh has been appointed by the Hood River County Transportation District Board to serve as assistant executive director of Columbia Area Transit (CAT) in Hood River County, Oregon.

“John brings a wealth of transportation experience from a variety of communities,” said Board Chair Lara Dunn. “We are confident he can build on the strong foundation we have at CAT and will introduce innovations to take our transit system to the next level.”

Andoh will transition to the position of executive director when current CAT Executive Director Patty Fink retires.

Fink, added, “We were excited in selecting John to join the CAT team. His breadth of public transportation management experience is a great fit for CAT, and he will do an exceptional job in improving public transportation here in the Columbia Gorge. I look forward to working with him during the transition period”.

Since 2017, Fink has led the district through pivotal changes to improve the overall efficiency and operations of CAT, including adding more services and creating new partnerships in the Columbia Gorge region. After 35 years of devoted public transit planning and management, Fink will be retiring from public service in July 2022.

Under the mentorship of Fink, Andoh will assist with updating the Transit Master Plan, meet and collaborate with community members and civic leaders and learn the ropes at CAT to assume the directorship next year.

When Andoh assumes the executive director position, he will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations, executing the Transit Master Plan projects, and leading policy development and planning for a balanced, safe and efficient transportation system. Additional responsibilities include promoting increased use of sustainable forms of transportation like walking, biking and transit use in the district’s service area, while working to improve equity in transportation policies, programs and services.

Andoh previously served as executive director/CEO of the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) in Columbia, S.C., where he was responsible for directing all aspects of a multi-county public transit system’s operations. During his tenure with The COMET, Andoh implemented innovative partnerships for bike sharing, transportation network companies, mobility management, vanpooling and more.

Andoh has a master’s degree in public administration from University of Phoenix, as well as a graduate certificate in transportation management from San Jose State University. He is a certified community transit manager from the Community Transportation Association of America.