METRO’s People Movementhighlights the latest leadership changes, promotions, and personnel news across the public transit, motorcoach, and people mobility sectors.

In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at Savannah's CAT, California's VVTA, STV, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.

Savannah’s CAT Names Cutter CEO

Savannah, Georgia’s Chatham Area Transit Authority (CAT) named Stephanie Cutter as CEO, effective immediately.

Cutter has served as CAT’s interim CEO since June 2024, providing leadership and continuing key initiatives focused on service reliability, workforce development, and community engagement.

As CEO, Cutter will oversee all operational, financial, and strategic functions of the authority, continuing efforts to enhance the customer experience, modernize the fleet, expand mobility options, and strengthen partnerships across Chatham County.

Cutter brings five years of experience in public transportation and more than 30 years of organizational leadership, including prior service as the city manager for the City of Savannah.

Goldman is the new CEO at California’s VVTA

California’s Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA) announced the appointment of Rod Goldman as the agency’s next CEO, effective July 1.

Goldman currently serves as VVTA’s director of operations and brings more than 38 years of leadership and operational experience in public transportation. He will succeed CEO Nancie Goff, who will retire on June 30, following more than three decades of dedicated service to the agency and the High Desert community.

Goldman’s extensive career includes key leadership roles at L.A. Metro, Baton Rouge Capital Area Transit System, and Gardena GTrans, where he advanced service quality, operational efficiency, and community engagement. He also spent a decade leading his own consulting firm, Diversified Transportation Solutions, assisting transit agencies in the United States and the State of Qatar with strategic planning, system redesigns, and performance improvements.

Meanwhile, Goff has served VVTA with distinction for more than 30 years, beginning her career with the agency in 1994 as a clerk typist and rising through the ranks to COO before being appointed CEO in April 2023. During her tenure, she played an integral role in the 2016 merger with Barstow Transit, helping expand service, modernize the fleet, and enhance technology and passenger amenities for riders throughout the region.

Greater Dayton RTA Names Policicchio Deputy CEO

Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority CEO Robert Ruzinsky has recently promoted Brandon Policicchio to deputy CEO.

“Brandon is a true public transit professional who leads with a passion for excellence,” Ruzinsky said. “I have been proud to watch him grow and advance within our organization and within the industry.”

Policicchio brings more than a decade of executive leadership experience in transit to the position, most recently serving as the agency’s chief customer and business development officer. 

As deputy CEO, Policicchio will be responsible for day-to-day departmental functions and all activities in each of the agency’s six primary work groups: transportation, finance, capital, maintenance, labor relations, and customer and business development. 

California’s San Joaquin RTD Names Kimberly Turner as Interim CEO

Stockton, California’s San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) announced the appointment of former Deputy CEO Kimberly Turner as interim CEO.

The board took this action to ensure continuity of leadership and operational stability as the agency continues delivering essential transit services throughout San Joaquin County.

As interim CEO, Turner will oversee day-to-day operations, support staff across all departments, and continue advancing RTD’s strategic priorities, including service reliability, customer experience improvements, and financial stability.

Turner brings senior leadership experience at both the federal and state levels of government, with a background in public sector oversight, regulatory compliance, and transportation policy. Her work has included oversight of publicly funded programs and coordination across multiple government agencies.

 STV Promotes PM/CM Leaders in New York, California

STV promoted David Watson to senior VP and George Diakoumakos to VP in the firm’s program management and construction management (PM/CM) group. 

Based in California, Watson has more than 20 years of experience in PM/CM, with a focus on growth strategy, profit-and-loss management (P&L), asset management, and team leadership. He has led multibillion-dollar transportation and water programs and built high-performing teams across the West.

Watson will continue to lead STV’s PM/CM expansion on the West Coast, focusing on major infrastructure projects across Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, and Washington state.

Based in New York, Diakoumakos brings more than 30 years of construction management experience and has led major public-sector programs for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), New York City School Construction Authority, Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, and Metro-North Railroad. He is recognized for delivering complex electrical and infrastructure upgrades in occupied facilities across New York City.

In his expanded role, Diakoumakos will continue leading NYCHA capital improvement and modernization programs, driving enhanced security measures, resilient utility systems, and long-term infrastructure upgrades citywide. Diakoumakos attended St. John’s University and is a licensed master electrician.