PA: Rabbittransit Names Jon Kugler as New HR Director

July 11, 2014
Rabbittransit welcomes Jon Kugler who joins the transit authority as its new human resources director upon the retirement of Patricia A. Miller.

Rabbittransit welcomes Jon Kugler who joins the transit authority as its new human resources director upon the retirement of Patricia A. Miller. Kugler will oversee the human resource administration for 218 employees of a three-county area including York, Adams and Northumberland.

Kugler has eighteen years of human resources experience and most recently served as a Human Resources Director in the Public School system and prior to that worked for five years at P.H. Glatfelter Co. as their Corporate Organizational Training and Development Manager. Kugler is known as a “roll your sleeves up” Human Resources leader, designing strategy that aligns with short and long-term business objectives.

“We are excited to welcome Jon to the rabbittransit team. The transition will be bittersweet as Pat Miller retires, but we look forward to Jon supporting our employees and engaging them as they deliver critical services to the community,” comments Richard Farr, rabbittransit Executive Director.

Kugler holds a Bachelor of Science in Labor and Industrial Relations from the Pennslyvania State University and an MBA from Walden University.  He is a United States Army Veteran, serves on the Board of Directors for the Tri-County Fire School and is a volunteer with the Susquehanna Service Dogs. Originally from Elk County, Kugler is also a national member of the Society for Human Resource Management.   

The Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) Board of Directors, at its March 24 meeting, appointed Louwana S. Oliva as the authority’s next general manager effective July 1, upon the retirement of long-time General Manager Hugh Mose.

Oliva has served CATA as its assistant general manager for the past four years, overseeing the day-to-day activities of CATA’s operations and maintenance departments, including all of CATA’s bus drivers and maintenance personnel. She’s also been responsible for CATA’s major capital programs, including the $32 million expansion of CATA’s operating facility, which will begin this fall.

Louwana hails from Akron, Ohio, where she served for more than 15 years as the director of communications and then assistant executive director at the Akron Metro Regional Transit Authority. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media-Communications with a minor in political science from the University of Akron. She’s also a graduate of Leadership APTA, Leadership Akron, and Leadership Centre County. She serves as the current APTA Human Resources Committee vice chair and as a board member for the State College Food Bank.

“I know that I can speak for the entire CATA Board of Directors as well as the employees when I say that we are truly excited to have Louwana take the reigns as Hugh rides off into the sunset,” states John C. Spychalski, CATA Board chairman. “Louwana brings to the position expertise that will further strengthen the organization and thereby enhance the services provided by the Authority for the community. It will be a sad day when Hugh walks out the door for the last time, but it’ll be a good day, too, because the Board knows that he will be leaving CATA in very good hands.”

“This last year has been a year of growth in all aspects of the CATA organization,” comments Oliva. “I am thrilled to step into a leadership position in an agency that is growing and thriving, and has an engaged board and dedicated staff.”

The Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) Board of Directors, at its March 24 meeting, appointed Louwana S. Oliva as the authority’s next general manager effective July 1, upon the retirement of long-time General Manager Hugh Mose.

Oliva has served CATA as its assistant general manager for the past four years, overseeing the day-to-day activities of CATA’s operations and maintenance departments, including all of CATA’s bus drivers and maintenance personnel. She’s also been responsible for CATA’s major capital programs, including the $32 million expansion of CATA’s operating facility, which will begin this fall.

Louwana hails from Akron, Ohio, where she served for more than 15 years as the director of communications and then assistant executive director at the Akron Metro Regional Transit Authority. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media-Communications with a minor in political science from the University of Akron. She’s also a graduate of Leadership APTA, Leadership Akron, and Leadership Centre County. She serves as the current APTA Human Resources Committee vice chair and as a board member for the State College Food Bank.

“I know that I can speak for the entire CATA Board of Directors as well as the employees when I say that we are truly excited to have Louwana take the reigns as Hugh rides off into the sunset,” states John C. Spychalski, CATA Board chairman. “Louwana brings to the position expertise that will further strengthen the organization and thereby enhance the services provided by the Authority for the community. It will be a sad day when Hugh walks out the door for the last time, but it’ll be a good day, too, because the Board knows that he will be leaving CATA in very good hands.”

“This last year has been a year of growth in all aspects of the CATA organization,” comments Oliva. “I am thrilled to step into a leadership position in an agency that is growing and thriving, and has an engaged board and dedicated staff.”