Chattanooga Revamps CARTA Leadership with Key Appointments and Budget Boost

Chattanooga Announces Key Appointments at CARTA

Chattanooga, August 27, 2024 – In a significant revamp of the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA), Veronica Peebles has been promoted to chief administrative officer, while Scott Wilson has been appointed as the new chief of staff. The announcement came from Charles Frazier, the newly appointed Executive Director of CARTA.

Leadership Changes

Veronica Peebles, who previously served as the Director of Communications and Planning for CARTA, will now take on the role of chief administrative officer. Scott Wilson, previously a vice president of communications at Volkswagen Chattanooga and BlueCross, has been appointed to the newly created position of chief of staff.

Reorganization for Efficiency

According to Mr. Frazier, these leadership changes are part of a broader reorganization at CARTA aimed at improving manageability and efficiency. The previous structure had the executive director overseeing 12 to 13 direct reports, a setup Mr. Frazier described as “not manageable” and suffering from “the tail wagging the dog syndrome.”

Optimized Executive Oversight

The new organizational structure will see the executive director directly overseeing parking and the Incline, allowing for more focused and effective management. This restructuring aims to streamline operations and improve service delivery for Chattanooga’s public transit system.

Budget Adjustments

The personnel overhaul, which included the promotions of Peebles and Wilson, was partially funded by a $500,000 budget increase from the city. This budget boost also facilitated the addition of two road supervisors, two vehicle operators, and a customer service manager. It also enabled upgrades to the cleaning service.

Capital Improvements

Aside from personnel changes, the budget increase is being utilized for capital improvements. These include upgrades to the Intelligent Transportation System, vehicle replacements, and essential facility maintenance, all aimed at enhancing the efficiency and reliability of CARTA services.

County Funding Discussions

In contrast to the city’s financial support, Hamilton County cut its annual funding to CARTA by $100,200. Executive Director Frazier mentioned that discussions with County Mayor Weston Wamp are ongoing to secure future funding for specific projects. This highlights the ongoing need for collaborative financial planning between local government entities to sustain and develop public transit infrastructure.

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• Mocs Cross Country: Open the season this Friday at the Tennessee Cross Country Invitational.
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Community Events

• Red Bank Mini Farmers Market: Set for its last event of the season this Saturday.
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• East Ridge Fall Festival: Scheduled for Saturday, September 28.

The above developments signal a transformative period for CARTA and underscore the commitment to enhancing public transit services in Chattanooga. As the city seeks to improve its transportation infrastructure, these leadership changes and budget adjustments will play a critical role in shaping the future of CARTA.