On Nov. 3 the HART Board of Directors selected Katharine Eagan as the authority's new chief executive officer.
Eagan has been the HART Interim CEO since the previous CEO Philip R. Hale announced his retirement back in May 2014.
The decision to promote Eagan was announced after a vote by HART Board of Directors to make her the permanent HART CEO.
HART hired Eagan in 2009 as Chief of Service Development, directing service planning and scheduling, as well as marketing and community relations. During those years she helped build ridership, implement unique and targeted marketing promotions, and promote strategic route planning.
"The HART Board of Directors has been impressed with Ms. Eagan's ability to meet significant challenges in her first six months, and we are fortunate to have a seasoned professional step in with more than 17 years of experience in the transportation industry and five years at HART ," said Chairman of the HART Board of Directors Councilman Mike Suarez. "She's a consummate professional, and we're eager to move the agency forward under her leadership."."
"I appreciate the confidence the HART Board of Directors has placed in my ability to lead HART," said Eagan. "This is a great opportunity to continue on the positive path to build a transportation network that meets the community's needs and I plan to ensure that HART continues delivering on the promises we have made to improve the lives of people in Hillsborough County."
Eagan distinguished herself as a results-oriented leader between FY2010 to FY2013. Under her guidance HART annual ridership grew over 20 percent and farebox recovery increased over 25 percent, despite a slight decrease in service miles. Annual van ridership improved more than 35 percent and fare recovery increased over 43 percent, with miles of service growing less than 12 percent and hours of service growing less than 19 percent. Under Ms. Eagan's leadership HART also introduced OneBusAway Tampa and Google Live technologies to empower customers.
An energetic and sought-after leader in her field, Ms. Eagan is an effective communicator with strong analytical abilities who has a track record of leading teams to achieve outstanding results. She was chosen as part of the prestigious 2012 Mass Transit's 40 under 40 List, as well as Tampa Chapter 36, National Association of Women in Construction's Rookie of the Year in 2012, and one of the Tampa Bay Business Journal's 25 People to Watch.
Prior to joining HART, Eagan was the director of service development at the Maryland Transit Administration, and the manager of service planning at Dallas Area Rapid Transit. She was a certified instructor for the American Taekwondo Association, and was an adjunct government professor while in Dallas.
Eagan holds a Master of Public Administration from Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas, a bachelor's degree cum laude from the University of Colorado, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. She is a member of the Tampa chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction. Eagan and her husband Chris Kelleman are the proud parents of two rambunctious and delightful sons.
