Olivet College recognized CATA CEO/Executive Director Sandy Draggoo as a recipient of its Leadership in Individual and Social Responsibility Award May 13 at the Country Club of Lansing.
Draggoo became one of the first women to lead a public transportation system in the country. She began her career at CATA in 1974 as executive secretary and has served as its CEO/executive director since 1985.
Her high standards of excellence and outstanding leadership resulted in the American Public Transportation Association naming Draggoo General Manager of the Year in 2003 — an award regarded as the industry’s pinnacle of success.
Draggoo worked diligently to guide CATA’s growth and service quality for more than 30 years. She spearheaded the construction of a new transportation center in downtown Lansing, negotiated public transportation services on Michigan State University’s campus, sponsored many events in the Greater Lansing area, and has overseen the quality of CATA’s daily service delivery. Under Draggoo’s leadership, CATA received APTA’s Outstanding Achievement Award in 1991 and 2007.
Motivated by a passion to promote opportunities for women, Draggoo mentored countless female employees at CATA throughout the years. She was awarded the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Athena Award and was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame for her contributions to transportation in the state. She received the national Sharon Banks Award for Innovative Leadership in Transportation, as well as the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Diana Award for Business Achievement.
Active in her community, Draggoo served on the Hospice House of Mid-Michigan’s Advisory Committee, and was chair of The Peoples Church and Capital Area United Way boards of directors. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Lansing, volunteers for Meals on Wheels, and was named by the Lansing State Journal as one of the “Top 100 People to Watch in the 21st Century.”
Olivet annually honors leaders in their chosen profession who reflect the college’s vision of education for individual and social responsibility.