The Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) will be starting 2022 with a new executive director/CEO after its board of directors appointed Martin Tompkins to serve in the role effective Dec. 31, 2021.
Tompkins currently serves as COO/senior director of operations and planning for the transit agency. He will succeed Macy Neshati, who announced previously that he would be stepping down, and will assume a project manager role beginning Jan. 1, 2022.
AVTA says Neshati guided the transit agency to the board goal of a fully-electric local fleet, achieved in 2020. The agency will become the nation’s first all-electric fleet, both local and commuter, by the end of December 2021.
“I want to thank our amazing staff at AVTA and Macy Neshati for all he has done for this agency,” said Tompkins. “I am really happy. I would not take this job if it weren’t for the team that we have today. I look forward to this challenge and I appreciate the trust our Board has placed in me.
Tompkins began his career in the transportation industry more than 35 years ago as a bus operator. For the 25 years prior to joining AVTA, Tompkins held the general manager position for two major transportation corporations. He joined AVTA in April of 2019 as the senior director of operations and planning.
“Martin has proven to be an effective leader with strong managerial skills,” stated AVTA Board Chairman Marvin Crist. “He has solid customer and employee relations experience, a good foundation in managing fixed route service, and a proven track record of success with this agency.
Tompkins oversees the operation of AVTA’s fleet of 92 buses and vans for transit service, 58 zero-emission battery electric buses dedicated to local service, 10 electric vans for Microtransit and a combination of 24 electric and diesel coaches dedicated to commuter service.
