The COMET Announces Passing of Interim CEO

The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) announced that Derrick Huggins, interim CEO and executive director, died unexpectedly on Oct. 7.

Huggins was a long-time board member of The COMET and served as board chair up to his recent appointment as interim CEO and executive director in November of 2021, according to the agency's news release. This was after a successful tenure as a transportation executive with the University of South Carolina.

“The COMET board of directors extends our condolences and sympathy to the family of Derrick Huggins. We are saddened at this very unexpected loss, as so many of us just had conversations with him in recent days and were making future plans together," said Allison Terracio, board chair. "Derrick was not only the CEO of the COMET. He had been a Board member and Board Chair, and we all knew him not only professionally but also personally. He will be missed.”

LeRoy DesChamps, COO, will assume oversight of the organization at this time as the Board of Directors makes plans for the future.