People on the Move: January 2026

CINCINNATI, OH—Cincinnati Metro has appointed Jason Roe as director of procurement—a vital role that oversees procurement for the organization’s $220 million annual capital and operating budget. Roe brings more than 25 years of experience in the transit industry, transitioning from Metro’s director of infrastructure and development programming where he oversaw an infrastructure fund program, rail right-of-way ownership and disposition activities, and contractual and procurement-related program activities. Previously held leadership roles at Metro include senior manager of procurement, inventory manager, quality assurance and quality control manager, and fleet maintenance supervisor. Roe serves on APTA’s Mobility Management and Procurement and Supply Chain committees.

DALLAS, TX—MV Transportation announced the appointment of Jeremy Brown and Sean Huonker as vice presidents of shuttle services. These newly created roles reflect MV’s commitment to strengthening and growing its shuttle service offerings across the country. Brown and Huonker will focus on attaining the highest of safety standards, operational excellence, and outstanding service delivery for clients and passengers.

Brown brings more than 20 years of transportation industry experience. He most recently served as director of business development at Voltera Power, where he led property development and electric vehicle charging infrastructure initiatives focused on the bus market. He has also held executive leadership positions with a major transportation service provider, overseeing large-scale shuttle operations in Las Vegas and Houston.

Huonker joins MV with more than a decade of experience in transportation sales, operations, and customer relationship management, working across government, municipal, and private sectors.

AUSTIN, TX—CapMetro announced the swearing-in of RenEarl Bowie as chief of the CapMetro Transit Police Department. In addition to Chief Bowie, three newly hired officers were sworn in, expanding the Transit Police Department’s capabilities and presence across the transit network. Chief Bowie brings more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, including serving with the Texas Department of Public Safety and as Captain of CapMetro’s Transit Police. Chief Bowie will focus on providing a safe and welcoming environment and strong community engagement. The newly hired officers will support a range of public safety responsibilities, from routine patrols and emergency response to customer assistance and community outreach. 

PHILADELPHIA, PA—Anna Lynn Smith has rejoined HDR to lead its intercity and high-speed rail practice, overseeing strategy, client engagement, and market positioning in the U.S. and Canada. The intercity and high-speed rail practice covers services for planning, engineering, architecture, systems, signal engineering, zero-emissions mobility, strategic advisory, and roadway disciplines. Smith has more than 30 years of experience in multimodal infrastructure strategy. Most recently, she was vice president of planning and strategy at Amtrak. Prior to that, she served in regional and national roles at HDR related to transportation planning and intercity rail projects. At APTA, Smith serves as secretary of the High-Speed & Intercity Passenger Rail Committee and is a member of the Commuter Rail Committee.

DALLAS, TX—Huitt-Zollars welcomed Philip Moore as its National Rail and Transit Business Development Lead, serving as an expert in transit safety and security. Moore has more than 18 years of experience in managing commuter and freight rail capital improvement projects. He played a pivotal role in delivering transformative transit programs, including the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Silver Line project and the Ottawa Light Rail Transit expansion. A recognized subject matter expert in transit safety and security, he is an active contributor to industry organizations and has led public safety workshops for schools, businesses, and first responders. Moore is a member of several APTA committees covering rail, safety, legislation, research, and technology.

ARLINGTON, VA—Tyra Redus, former director of small and disadvantaged business utilization with USDOT has joined the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) as deputy chief executive officer. At USDOT, Redus shaped strategies to strengthen the participation of small businesses, enhancing contracting practices and broadening access to federal procurement. She brings expertise in transportation as well as in leading initiatives that drive opportunity and access. Redus is currently board chair of Girls, Inc. of Washington, DC, and serves on the Advisory Board of the Enterprising Women of Color DMV Business Center.

SAN ANTONIO, TX—VIA Metropolitan Transit has promoted Priscilla Ingle to senior vice president of customer care and support and hired the former director of the City of San Antonio Public Works, Razi Hosseini, as vice president of engineering. In her new role, Ingle will advance customer education, community partnerships, and continuous customer improvement. Ingle’s accomplishments over her 38 years at VIA include launching the U-Pass Program, revitalizing business-to-business sales efforts, and implementing a customer relations social media strategy. Ingle is a graduate of the Leadership APTA Class of 1998; she serves on APTA’s Legislative Committee and Access Committee.

Hosseini will oversee capital project delivery, including Keep San Antonio Moving projects, and final design and construction. He has served the City of San Antonio for three decades guiding the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center expansion, Alamodome renovation and expansion, and the development of pre-K education facilities, among other initiatives. In 2021, he was named Engineer of the Year by the Bexar County chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers.

TOLEDO, OH—Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) named Rick Bailey as deputy chief executive officer, Susan Gettum as chief planning and program officer, and Sam Melden as chief communications and customer experience officer. Bailey has been with TARTA since 2023 as chief customer experience and mobility officer. During that time, he secured new state grant funding, welcomed new paratransit vehicles and services, and saw a marked increase in customer satisfaction scores. In 2024, TARTA Move became the first transit agency department in Ohio to become a Certified Autism Center, an effort led by Bailey. Before joining TARTA, Bailey was director of transit operations at the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority and was manager of planning and service development for Dayton RTA.

Gettum initially joined TARTA as customer care manager, developed the Hub of Hope outreach program, and was selected as chief of staff in 2022. She has managed important projects, such as the agency’s on-demand microtransit service. Gettum represents TARTA on the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Government Transportation Planning Committee and the Home for Everyone Continuum of Care Board.

Melden has overseen TARTA’s communications, marketing, government relations, and community relations efforts. Before joining TARTA, he was director of strategic engagement at the Ability Center of Greater Toledo. In 2019, he was part of Lucas County’s Community Task Force on Public Transportation. He has held leadership posts at Food For Thought, the Servant Leadership Center, and Leadership Toledo. He was named one of Toledo’s 20 Under 40 in 2018 and was elected to Toledo City Council in 2019. 

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA—Vontas announced that Richard Blackburn has been appointed general manager. In this role, he will lead the company’s strategy, operations, and performance. Since the intelligent transit technology company launched in 2021, Blackburn has been in senior leadership roles overseeing account management, sales, and business development. He has also overseen the company’s delivery, support, and technology groups. Blackburn is a member of APTA’s Bus Task Force, Rail Transit Committee, and Research & Technology Committee.  

SAN RAFAEL, CA—Marin Transit has appointed Robert Betts as its new general manager. Betts has more than 20 years of experience in transportation. He has been a member of the Transit District’s staff since 2011, most recently serving as Marin Transit’s director of operations and service development. He led the agency through several transit service improvements, focusing on service quality, community partnerships, and innovative solutions to meet evolving transit needs. In his announcement, Betts notes that “public transit plays a vital role in connecting people to opportunity.”