The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AAATA) Board is discussing the possible appointment of former Washtenaw County Administrator Robert Guenzel as interim CEO until a replacement for departing AAATA CEO Michael G. Ford is confirmed.
The board is considering a proposal to offer the part-time job to Guenzel, who currently serves as a lecturer at the University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy where he teaches "Local Government Leadership in Times of Change.” If approved, Guenzel would assume oversight of AAATA’s daily operations pending the completion of a national search to select the successor to Ford, who announced Aug. 20 that he would become the new CEO of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) of Southeast Michigan effective Oct. 20. The RTA was created in 2012 by the Michigan legislature to oversee mass transit operations in metro Detroit including Washtenaw, Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
AAATA Board Chair Charles Griffith said Guenzel is an ideal candidate to temporarily handle Ford’s duties based on Guenzel’s history as a successful senior management executive and attorney, deep knowledge of the community and demonstrated ability to engage and inform constituents as well as civic, business and elected officials. The contract proposal under board review today calls for an interim CEO to serve up to six months or until the board chooses Ford’s replacement, with the interim CEO salary not to exceed $75,000.
“Bob Guenzel has proven that he is a tireless and dedicated public servant who is committed to improving the quality of life for the residents of Washtenaw County,” Griffith said. “He would be an excellent choice by the Board, and I am confident that his experience and talent would help to ensure a smooth transition at the authority and help us to continue delivering quality services to our passengers.”
In addition to his role at the U-M, Guenzel is vice-chair of the board of directors for Ann Arbor SPARK, the public-private partnership created to advance innovation-based economic development in the greater Ann Arbor region. He served as the administrator for Washtenaw County for 16 years and retired in 2010. Prior to that post, he practiced law for 25 years and served as a trial attorney for the National Labor Relations Board. Guenzel was a co-convener of the Washtenaw County Task Force on Homelessness and the community's Blueprint to End Homelessness. He also served as chair of the Washtenaw Development Council and is a board member of the Alliance for Innovation Group, the Criminal Justice Collaborative Council, Washtenaw Housing Alliance, and the “Success by Six” initiative.
The AAATA Board approved a resolution Aug. 21 for Griffith to appoint an ad hoc subcommittee to conduct a national search for Ford’s replacement. Griffith selected board members Anya Dale, Gillian Ream Gainsley and Eric Mahler to serve on the search committee, citing his desire to have a mix of board experience and geographic diversity represented on that group.
The resolution approved by the board also authorized $50,000 for consulting services to help with the search. The AAATA has issued a nationwide request for proposals (RFP) to hire a search firm. Responses to the RFP are due Oct. 31 and the committee’s selection expected by Nov. 17. The ad hoc committee members will then meet with the consultant search firm to review the criteria the AAATA will seek in its next CEO, Griffith said, adding that a decision on Ford’s replacement is not expected until 2015.
