The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) Board of Trustees has appointed W. Curtis Stitt as the agency’s president/chief executive officer effective Feb. 1. Stitt joined COTA in 1999, serving as legislative and government affairs counsel, vice president of legal and government affairs/general counsel, and most recently as senior vice president and chief operating officer.

Stitt succeeds Bill Lhota, who is retiring after seven and a half years at COTA.

“Curtis Stitt possesses the business and management skills, experience, and strategic vision to take COTA to the next level,” said Linda Mauger, COTA board chair. “We have been impressed with Mr. Stitt’s measured and deliberate management style that is bolstered by his passion for COTA and public transit in our community.”

Lhota added: “Curtis has made significant contributions to the agency and has emerged as a strong leader inside COTA as well as an informed and enthusiastic transit advocate among our industry peers and community stakeholders.”