The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) board voted unanimously to name Monica Tellez-Fowler as the new President/CEO upon the departure of Joanna M. Pinkerton on May 6.

COTA hired Tellez-Fowler as COO in March of 2023 and promoted her to deputy CEO in May. Tellez-Fowler quickly made an impact by successfully leading negotiations with Transport Workers Union Local 208, reaching a three-year contract agreement, and avoiding a work stoppage.

“I am truly honored and grateful to the COTA board of trustees for the opportunity to lead COTA and continue working with more than 1,100 frontline workers and support staff,” said Tellez-Fowler. “This year will be a crucial time as voters will make an important decision about the future of public transit in our region. Together, with the support of our incredible team and community partners, we will continue to innovate and enhance mobility solutions for Central Ohio.”

Tellez-Fowler’s Experience

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