Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) announced that CEO Joanna M. Pinkerton introduced Monica Tellez-Fowler as COO during the March Board of Trustees Meeting, according to the agency's news release.

Prior to joining COTA, Tellez-Fowler was the deputy CEO/treasurer of Clark County Public Transit Benefit Area Authority (C-TRAN) in Vancouver, Washington.

“COTA is nationally recognized for providing crucial transit service to the Central Ohio community for nearly a half-century,” said Tellez-Fowler. “I look forward to working with this team and bringing my own ideas and experiences to the table to help COTA continue its legacy of being the vital mobility solutions provider this growing region needs.”

During her time at C-TRAN, Tellez-Fowler was responsible for more than $100 million in annual operations and capital budgets and represented the authority on a $3.5 billion Interstate 5 bridge replacement megaproject across the Columbia River on the Washington-Oregon border.

Before joining C-TRAN, she was the CFO of Trinity Metro in Fort Worth, Texas, where she oversaw the New Starts Federal Transit Administration grant application process for TEXRail, a $1 billion, 27-mile commuter rail between downtown Fort Worth and the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

“Monica has a professional track record of embracing innovation and collaboration. We are excited to have her bring her vast experience to Team COTA, providing additional support and knowledge to our award-winning operations team,” Pinkerton said.