Chatham Area Transit Authority’s CEO/Executive Director Curtis Koleber has resigned his position and will leave the agency next month. Koleber has accepted a leadership position in public transit in a much larger urban system.
Koleber has headed up CAT for nearly six years after joining the agency in 2013 as Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Executive Director. He was promoted to CEO in December 2016 after serving as interim CEO for 12 months.
“I do appreciate my many years at CAT and the truly remarkable employees. The management team and I kept CAT afloat during a very unfortunate time in our history in 2015. I am pleased that under my leadership we now have created sustainable financial outcomes and positive cash reserves for CAT, which has propelled this agency onto a course into the next generation of public transit,” Koleber said.
“The Board and I wish Curtis the very best and appreciate all he has done for CAT while he served as both CEO and COO. We made it through a storm with his guidance,” Board Chairman Michael O’Halloran said.
A few of the accomplishment during Koleber’s tenure include:
- CAT receiving a total of more than $19.2 million in competitive grants through the state of Georgia, Federal Highway Administration, and Federal Transit Administration;
- CAT became part of essential conversations within the Georgia General Assembly and other state agencies. This yielded positive results as it relates to the $10.6 million competitive grant award for 18 new 35-ft buses the agency received last year;
- CAT launched the Let’s Go! Designing Better Transit Together system redesign initiative that is currently underway.
- CAT purchasing 28 new CAT Mobility vehicles with federal grant money after initiating a comprehensive study of CAT Mobility paratransit program for people with disabilities;
- CAT is also now a well-respected and active member within the American Public Transit Association (APTA) due to Koleber and his leadership team’s involvement.
In addition, the agency is planning to begin converting its bus fleet into an all-electric bus fleet in the coming years after the Board of Directors approved a resolution on May 16, 2017.
Koleber indicated he is also very proud that he and his leadership team were able to prepare a balanced budget for the Board’s approval for the past two years with designated dollars going into a reserve or “rainy-day” fund.
Even though these successes are tangible wins for CAT, Koleber said there are people who are more important and worth recognizing and thanking.
“There are so many people working at CAT that have shown commitment, loyalty, resolve and teamwork. I must say the CAT team is by far the best team I have ever worked with in my 16 years in public transit,” Koleber said. “I wish CAT success in its future endeavors. I am leaving behind a very talented, committed, and extremely hard-working management team. I am indebted to them.”
