KEN PAUL APPOINTED TO COTA BOARD OF TRUSTEES
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ken Paul has joined the Central Ohio Transit Authority Board (COTA) of Trustees following his appointment by City of Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. Paul was sworn in during the July 22 COTA Board of Trustees meeting.
Paul serves as Executive Director of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, the public agency responsible for overseeing and advancing several of Central Ohio’s major convention, hospitality, sports and entertainment venues. The authority’s portfolio includes the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Hilton Columbus Downtown, Nationwide Arena, parking facilities and real estate positioned for future investment and redevelopment.
“I am honored to join the COTA Board of Trustees at such an important time for public transportation and the future of our region,” Paul said. “A strong transit system connects people to jobs, education, health care and opportunity while supporting economic growth throughout Central Ohio. I look forward to working with my fellow trustees and COTA’s leadership to advance the LinkUS initiative and the long-term investments our growing community needs.”
Paul brings more than two decades of public service and organizational leadership experience to the Board. Before joining the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, he held several senior positions with the City of Columbus, including serving as Chief of Staff to Mayor Ginther. His work included helping lead the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting efforts to keep the Columbus Crew in Columbus and contributing to major economic development initiatives, including Intel’s semiconductor investment and The Ohio State University’s Innovation District.
Since becoming Executive Director of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority in 2024, Paul has led a comprehensive facilities assessment and restructured the authority’s debt portfolio, unlocking more than $100 million for convention center capital improvements. He is also leading the public-private partnership advancing the renovation and modernization of Nationwide Arena and a long-range master plan for the convention center campus.
Paul earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Ohio University and a Master of Business Administration from Franklin University. He is a graduate of Leadership Columbus and an alumnus of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative and the Harvard Business School Young American Leaders Program. He was recognized as a 2026 Columbus Business First Executive of the Year.
Paul also serves on the boards of Columbus Arena Management, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and the North Market Development Authority.
