Frank Kobliski, executive director of the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (Centro) in Syracuse, N.Y., will be retiring Dec. 31, 2015. He has served as the authority’s CEO since 2004 and has been with the transit agency since 1977.

During his tenure, Kobliski has overseen Centro’s expansion into Oneida County in 2005 as it rescued the financially struggling Utica Transit Authority and Rome VIP bus systems, the construction of two transit centers in Syracuse, N.Y. and Utica, N.Y., and the recent rapid expansion of bus services at Syracuse University and other area colleges. In 2006, Centro was named the American Public Transit Association's Best Mid-sized Transit System in North America.

“Frank has dedicated his career to public transportation in Central New York,” said Centro Board Chairman Brian M. Schultz.  “He has been involved in every local public transportation innovation for decades. His leadership, expertise, and attention to detail will be missed by the local transit community.”

During Kobliski’s nearly 39 years at the transit agency, he has played a key role in the development of major transportation projects integral to the Central New York community. He was the principal architect of the transportation plan surrounding the opening of the Carrier Dome in 1980 and developed a network of Park-N-Rides serving the New York State Fair, each of which are now critical to the success of both events.

Kobliski also served two separate terms and president of the New York State Public Transit Association and has chaired the Executive Committee of the local MPO — Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council — for more than a decade.