Ray Miller, longtime transit executive, dies

Ray Miller, executive director of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) in Tampa, Fla., died on April 27 after a prolonged illness. He was 58. Miller took the wheel of HART in January 2005. Under his guidance, the agency experienced record-breaking ridership, solidified its commitment to improved service and enhanced its perception in the community. In addition, Miller presided over an agency that stressed the value of its employees, ushering in a period of labor peace. "Mr. Miller's dedication and commitment to the agency and its employees was unequaled," said Ricardo Roig, chairperson of the HART Board of Directors. "I know that everyone joins me in offering our prayers and sympathy to Ray's family." Before coming to HART, Miller was executive director of the Delaware Transit Corp. Under his direction, that agency was named "Most Outstanding System" for 2003 by the American Public Transportation Association. Miller had more than 25 years of transit management experience, working at the Central Ohio Transit Authority and the Utah Transit Authority in addition to Delaware Transit. He is survived by his wife, Julie.