The board of the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (Centro) unanimously appointed Christopher Tuff as its new CEO.

Tuff, a seasoned transit professional with deep community ties, will now lead the authority and its subsidiary corporations through a period of major growth and change in the region, according to Centro officials.

The Road Leading to Tuff

Tuff’s appointment follows a nearly 18-month national search led by TransPro Consulting. According to a press release from the authority, the search considered nine candidates from seven states, with Tuff emerging as the top choice due to his leadership record, community connection, and unwavering commitment to public transit.

He has served as Centro’s deputy COO for the past four and a half years, overseeing the authority’s first service expansion in two decades with the launch of operations in Cortland County. 

Tuff began his career at Centro in 2007 in the accounting department, later returning after eight years with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. He rose through the organization in various leadership roles, including VP, administration, and director, operations.

Ties to Community, National Organizations

Tuff holds roles with the New York Public Transportation Association and several American Public Transportation Association (APTA) committees, including those focused on zero-emission vehicles and bus rapid transit. 

The authority said that Tuff steps into the CEO role at a pivotal time for Centro, as the region prepares for the transformative effects of Micron’s arrival and the reconfiguration of Interstate 81.