People on the move: Centro, SEPTA, city of Madison, TTC, Akron Metro

The Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (Centro), Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), city of Madison, Wis., Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and the Akron Metro Regional Transit Authority (Akron Metro) have made new appointments to their respective leadership teams. 

Centro appoints next CEO 

The Centro Board appointed Christopher Tuff as the authority’s next CEO. 

“When we began our search for a new CEO, the Board of Members promised to find a leader who exemplifies the organization’s values and appreciates the importance of public transportation in a service area like ours,” said Centro Board Chairman Nicholas Laino. “We have someone who has demonstrated his ability to lead this organization with accountability and transparency. Someone who lives the values Centro prioritizes. Someone who is ready to transform Central New York’s transportation landscape through the arrival of Micron and removal of Interstate 81. That leader is Christopher Tuff.” 

Centro notes Tuff was chosen after a nearly 18-month nationwide search conducted by TransPro Consulting, a transportation industry search firm. After an initial candidate pool was gathered, the authority considered nine candidates from seven states and determined Tuff was the best suited for the position due to his track record, connection with the community and dedication to public transportation. 

Tuff assumes the role of CEO after serving during the past four and a half years as Centro’s deputy COO. During that time, he oversaw the successful launch of Centro’s service in Cortland County N.Y., the first expansion of services in 20 years.  

He began his career at Centro in 2007 in the authority’s accounting department. He left the organization for eight years, working as an auditor for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Tuff returned to Centro in 2016 and steadily rose through the ranks, holding the positions of vice president of administration, director of operations and director of subsidiary operations. 

“Christopher has what it takes to lead Centro and execute the authority’s forward-looking policies,” Laino said. “He gets what makes our drivers come to work every day and why riders choose Centro.” 

Tuff obtained his commercial divers license (CDL) in 2017 and has operated buses during special events amid the current bus operator shortage. He is the authority’s representative to the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council, serving as the vice chairman of their Policy Committee and sitting on the organization’s executive and planning committees. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the New York Public Transportation Association and serves on several committees for the American Public Transportation Association, including the Bus and Paratransit CEOs Committee, the Bus Rapid Transit 

Committee, the Zero-Emission Vehicle Committee and the Mid-Sized Operations Committee. In 2022, he was named a nominee of Mass Transit’s 40 Under 40 program. 

SEPTA appoints next general manager  

The SEPTA Board appointed Scott A. Sauer as the authority’s next general manager. Sauer had been serving as interim general manager since November 2024. In his permanent role, he will continue to oversee SEPTA’s 9,300 employees and all aspects of the authority’s operations. 

Sauer takes over at a pivotal time for SEPTA. On June 26, the board will consider a proposed budget with 45 percent in service cuts – coupled with major fare increases, workforce reductions and a 9:00 p.m. curfew for all rail services – to fill a $213 million structural budget deficit. 

“Scott has dedicated nearly 35 years to SEPTA, gaining invaluable experience in every aspect of the organization,” said SEPTA Board Chair Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr. “Over the last six months, Scott has demonstrated his leadership abilities through this funding crisis, and I am confident that he is the best person to guide SEPTA through these challenging times ahead.” 

Sauer started his career with SEPTA in 1990 as a surface train operator. A second-generation transit professional, he follows in the footsteps of his late father, Robert, who served the Philadelphia Transportation Company and SEPTA for 30 years. 

“I am honored to be entrusted with the stewardship of a transit system that is absolutely essential to the region’s success,” Sauer said. “I will continue to commit this organization to a back-to-basics philosophy emphasizing the fundamentals that keep Greater Philadelphia moving each day: safety, customer service and reliability.” 

Over the years, Sauer progressed through roles as a subway/elevated train operator, transportation manager and safety officer. In 2013, he was appointed assistant general manager of system safety, where he developed and implemented critical safety initiatives. 

In 2017, Sauer was promoted to assistant general manager of operations, overseeing all operational aspects of SEPTA, including transportation, control center, vehicle maintenance and station cleaning. In 2022, Sauer was named COO, expanding his oversight to include the Engineering, Maintenance and Construction Division, transit police and capital programs. 

Sauer is a nationally recognized transit safety and operations expert, serving on multiple industry boards and committees. He holds a master's degree in environmental protection and safety management from St. Joseph’s University and a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. 

City of Madison names new director of transportation 

Christof Spieler has been named the city of Madison’s new director of transportation. Spieler has extensive experience in transportation and urban planning. He’s worked with cities across the country, including Albuquerque, N.M., Boston, Houston, Dallas and Philadelphia on reimagining and improving bus and rail networks, street design and highway planning. He currently serves as vice president and director of planning at the consulting firm Huitt-Zollars in Houston and is a senior lecturer at Rice University.   

As head of the city’s department of transportation, Spieler will have a unique opportunity to work with policymakers to shape transportation planning, policy and implementation for Madison. The department includes the Traffic Engineering Division, Metro Transit and the Parking Division.  

“I’m thrilled that Christof is bringing his impressive skillset and experience to the Transportation Division,” said Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. Madison’s urban character and unique geography require an innovative approach to how residents move around our city.” 

Spieler holds a B.S. and M.S. in civil engineering from Rice University. He’s a professional engineer, a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional. His book, “Trains, Buses, People: An Opinionated Atlas of US and Canadian Transit,” is in its second edition and a new book on the geometry of urban transportation will be published next year. Spieler has spoken and written extensively on transportation, urban planning and sustainability.   

“I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to direct Madison’s transportation work,” Spieler said. “I look forward to bringing the skills and experience I’ve developed to a role where we can make sure cars, pedestrians, bikes and buses all work together and to have the opportunity to turn master plans into projects that make peoples’ lives better every day. I’m excited about working with the community, a talented team and committed leadership in a dynamic, growing city.”  

Spieler’s first day will be July 21.   

TTC names new CEO 

Mandeep Lali has been appointed the new CEO of the TTC, effective July 7, 2025. Mandeep joins the agency from New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), where he has served as an executive vice president and COO for subways for nearly three years. Prior to the MTA, he spent more than 13 years at Transport for London in a number of progressive roles and nearly seven years as an executive with OTIS Elevators, working on the Crossrail project with TFL.   

“As Mandeep begins his new role, I am confident that he is in good hands,” said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. “I would like to thank interim CEO Greg Percy for his commitment to the TTC over the past nine months and for assisting during this important period of transition.” 

Akron Metro promotes Eric Scott to COO 

Akron Metro has promoted Eric Scott to COO. Scott brings over 30 years of experience to the role. He began his career as a heavy wheel vehicle mechanic for the U.S. Army Reserve, then joined TDDS Technical Institute as a diesel technician instructor, later becoming program director.  

Scott joined the Akron Metro team in 2009 as a maintenance trainer and was promoted to director of asset management in 2022. 

“Eric has dedicated his career to excellence in transit maintenance and development.” said Akron Metro Chief of Staff Jarrod Hampshire. “His experience, leadership, and commitment to innovation make him the ideal person to take on the role of COO, and we’re excited to see his vision guide [Akron] Metro’s next chapter.” 

As COO, Scott will oversee daily operations, lead efforts to improve efficiency and elevate service delivery across the organization. 

“I’m honored to step into this role,” Scott said. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done at [Akron] Metro and excited to keep building on that progress with a focus on reliability, safety and service to our community.”