The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) has announced the three finalists for the position of CEO.

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The three finalists include Matt Carpenter, Andrew Johnson and Marty Sennett.

Carpenter has over 15 years of professional experience in the transit industry, including eight as the successful CEO of Strathcona County Transit in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. Previously, he worked for the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments in Detroit. He has a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan.
 
Johnson is the GM of Connect Transit in Bloomington-Normal, Ill. Since he began his tenure in 2011, Connect Transit has grown its ridership by 40%, ramped up public engagement in transit planning, increased transparency of operations, strengthened partnerships with Illinois State University and local businesses, and implemented new technologies to improve system efficiency and customer experience.
 
Sennett has served as the GM for the Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corp. also known as “CityBus” for over thirty years. As the second-longest continuous serving General Manager in the nation, Sennett has helped to transformed a small 22 bus transit system into the second largest transit system in Indiana in terms of the number of annual rides. CityBus serves both Lafayette, West Lafayette and Purdue University.

The CEO search process began in November, 2014, with the help of Harris Rand Lusk (HRL), an executive search firm that specializes in the public transportation field. HRL screened the initial applicants and recommended 14 candidates for consideration by the CEO Search Committee. The Committee, consisting of eight members (four agency Board members and four agency staff members), is headed by AAATA Board Chair Charles Griffith.
 
“After a thorough national search that resulted in more than 70 applicants, we’re pleased to have found three well-qualified candidates who all have leadership experience in the public transportation industry,” said TheRide Board Chair Charles Griffith.  “We’re thankful for the input we’ve received from the public throughout the process, and look forward to providing an opportunity for people to meet the three finalists as we progress towards hiring our new CEO.  With more than 6.6 million annual rides provided and as we continue implementing a 44% increase in service within the next four years, we are focused on selecting a new CEO who will lead the organization in improving public transportation connections throughout the Urban Core of Washtenaw County.”