A well known name in Washtenaw County has been tapped to lead the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority until a new C-E-O is hired. Former County Administrator Bob Guenzel is expected to run The Ride for about six months.
Guenzel will take over the AAATA when Michael Ford steps down on October 20th. Board Chair Charles Griffith says Guenzel has a great track record as a manager, the ability to run a large organization, and experience working with a board. Connections with leaders in the communities where the transit authority operates is also important right now. "That is very helpful in terms of our keeping on track with our planning efforts. We need those good relations and obviously he starts by already having good relationships with those people," Griffith says.
Guenzel also has information about the AAATA after co-chairing the financial task force that reviewed the organization's five-year plan.
The proposal calls for Guenzel to serve part-time with a salary of no more than $75,000.
By the middle of November, the AAATA board expects to have a search firm selected to help find their next CEO.
Michael Ford is leaving to serve as the CEO of the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan.
Like 89.1 WEMU on Facebook and follow us on Twitter— Andrew Cluley is the Ann Arbor beat reporter, and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him acluley@emich.edu.
