Board of Trustees

The Team That’s Leading Us to Tomorrow

COTA’s Board of Trustees is the governing body of COTA and is responsible for overseeing COTA as established by Ohio Revised Code 306.30 to 306.50. Board members have three primary obligations:

• Duty of Care—Board members shall perform their duties with the care that an ordinary prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances.
• Duty of Good Faith—Board members shall take the necessary actions to be informed and exercise appropriate judgment.
• Duty of Loyalty—Board members shall perform their duties in a manner the Board Member reasonably believes to be in, or not opposed to, the best interest of COTA.

Additionally, board members should:

• Provide a clear vision for COTA’s future.
• Provide oversight of COTA’s operations.
• Work effectively with other board members, leadership and the President/CEO.
• Be an advocate for COTA’s vision, mission, values and COTA’s long-range transit plan.

Board members are appointed for three-year terms by:

• Franklin County (two appointees)
• Columbus (seven appointees)
• Various suburbs (four appointees)

Here Are the People Looking Out for You

Sean Mentel Chair Partner, Kooperman Mentel Ferguson Yaross, Ltd. Appointed by City of Columbus Term: 2023 – 2026

Trudy Bartley Vice Chair Associate Vice President, Local & Community Relations, The Ohio State University Appointed by City of Columbus Term: 2024 – 2027

Pete Bucher Trustee Chief of Staff, Ohio Environmental Council Appointed by City of Worthington Term: 2024 – 2027

Erika Clark Jones Trustee CEO, ADAMH Appointed by Franklin County Commissioners Term: 2023 – 2026

Jay Deis Trustee President, Forsee Power North America, Forsee Power, Inc. Appointed by City of Hilliard Term: 2025 – 2028

Mallory Donaldson Trustee Chief Program Officer, The Center for Healthy Families Appointed by Franklin County Commissioners Term: 2025 – 2026

Jeff Hunley Trustee Business Representative, SMART Local 24 Appointed by City of Columbus Term: 2024 – 2027

Doug McCollough Trustee Executive Director, The Beta District Appointed by City of Columbus Term: 2025-2028

Marc Reitter Trustee President and COO AEP Ohio Appointed by City of Columbus Term: 2023 – 2026

Stephen Sayre Trustee Deputy Chief of Staff to the Mayor, City of Columbus Appointed by City of Columbus Term: 2025 – 2028

Matt Starr Trustee Executive Vice President of Real Estate & Leasing, Crawford Hoying Appointed by City of Dublin Term: 2025 – 2028

Amy Taylor Trustee President, Downtown Columbus Inc. Appointed by City of Columbus Term: 2023 – 2026

Heather Ulrey Trustee Director, Government & Community Relations, Mount Carmel Health System Appointed by City of Grove City Term: 2024 – 2027

Details on Our Upcoming Board Meetings

The COTA Board of Trustees meets frequently throughout the year. All board meetings are open to the public. The Board Chair shall have the discretion to recognize special speakers, public officials and guests to speak without a time limitation prior to the public comment period. Public comments will be allowed at the beginning of each COTA Board meeting prior to the discussion of the COTA Board agenda items. People wishing to address the Board should sign in with the Assistant Secretary prior to the commencement of the meeting. Generally, each person will be allotted three (3) minutes for this purpose on a first-come, first-served basis; provided, however, the total time allocated for general public comments shall not exceed 30 minutes. If more speakers have signed up for general public comments than can be accommodated in this 30-minute session, then at the discretion of the Board Chair, the general public comments session may be extended subject to the three (3) minute time limit outlined above.

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. To request an ADA reasonable accommodation, please contact the individual indicated below no later than 72 hours prior to the meeting: Tanya Salyers at SalyersTS@cota.com or 614-275-5852

Our Board Meeting Archives

COTA policy requires that we keep our board meeting minutes permanently. For minutes prior to 2021, please contact Customer Service and file a public records request.

COTA Advisory Panel

As provided in the COTA Charter, an Advisory Panel was established to advise COTA management in the development and implementation of public transit in central Ohio.

• One member appointed by the Franklin County Commissioners.
• One member appointed by the Mayor or other chief executive officer of each municipal corporation participating in the creation of COTA.
• At-large members may be appointed by the President/CEO with the consent of the Board of Trustees or as provided in Resolution No. 2011-20 and procedures adopted consistent therewith.

Each member appointed to the Advisory Panel shall be a resident and have a familiarity with public transit needs in central Ohio. The Advisory Panel shall meet quarterly and be used by COTA management as a resource in making decisions on public transit and, as appropriate, incorporate advice from the Panel into programs presented to the Board.

COTA Mobility Advisory Board

The Mobility Advisory Board (MAB) advises COTA on issues that involve underserved people, are low income, have a disability, or are elderly in central Ohio. Comprised of community human services agencies, direct service providers, advocates, and businesses, these agencies assist COTA in developing innovative, viable transportation solutions.