COTA names Monica Tellez-Fowler as new COO

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has named Monica Tellez-Fowler as its new chief operating officer. Prior to joining COTA, Tellez-Fowler was the deputy CEO/treasurer of Clark County Public Transit Benefit Area Authority (C-TRAN) in Vancouver, Wash.

During her time at C-TRAN, Tellez-Fowler was responsible for more than $100 million in annual operations and capital budgets and represented the authority on a $3.5 billion Interstate 5 bridge replacement megaproject across the Columbia River on the Washington-Oregon border. Before joining C-TRAN, she was the chief financial officer of Trinity Metro in Fort Worth, Texas, where she oversaw the New Starts Federal Transit Administration grant application process for TEXRail, a $1 billion, 27-mile commuter rail between downtown Fort Worth and the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

“Monica has a professional track record of embracing innovation and collaboration. We are excited to have her bring her vast experience to Team COTA, providing additional support and knowledge to our award-winning operations team,” said COTA President/CEO Joanna Pinkerton.

“COTA is nationally recognized for providing crucial transit service to the Central Ohio community for nearly a half-century,” Tellez-Fowler said. “I look forward to working with this award-winning team and bringing my own ideas and experiences to the table to help COTA continue its legacy of being the vital mobility solutions provider this growing region needs.”

Tellez-Fowler earned a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Tarleton State University, graduating as a “distinguished scholar.”