Jameson Auten to start leading LTD in November

by Patrick Walsh

EUGENE, Ore. —(August 17, 2022)— Lane Transit District’s (LTD) Board of Directors voted unanimously at its August 17, 2022 meeting to approve the employment contract for public transportation executive Jameson T. Auten to serve as LTD’s next General Manager/CEO. Auten comes to the District from the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA), where he served as Deputy CEO/Chief Operating Officer.

“We are excited to have a nationally recognized transit leader of Jameson’s caliber accept LTD’s top job,” said Caitlin Vargas, President of the LTD Board of Directors. “All of us serving on the Board of Directors look forward to his arrival as we chart the path for the District to move forward to provide the transit service our communities need and deserve.”

Auten’s hiring comes after a five-month national search. Auten replaces Aurora Jackson, who, after six years at the helm, resigned in August 2021 to accept a position in the private sector.

“I am honored and humbled to be selected to lead LTD by the Board of Directors. LTD enjoys a national reputation for innovation and collaboration,” Auten said. “I look forward to building relationships with LTD employees and with community members so that together we identify opportunities to implement right-sized mobility solutions that connect our communities.”

A 20-year career vet, Auten has held a variety of key leadership positions with KCATA and with the Greater Richmond Transit System (GRTC). He also serves on the Board of Directors for the American Public Transportation Association in addition to serving in a voluntary role with the National Academies of Sciences.

Auten has an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University and a bachelor’s degree from California University of Pennsylvania (PennWest).

Vargas thanked Interim General Manager Mark Johnson for his good work and leadership over the last year. Johnson will stay with the District but will resume his previous position as Assistant General Manager through the leadership transition. Vargas shared appreciation to all the employees and community members who participated in a variety of meetings and candidate forums over the past several months whose feedback assisted the Board of Directors in making the decision to hire Auten.

Auten will begin as LTD General Manager/CEO in early November.

About Lane Transit District (LTD)

Lane Transit District (LTD) is a special district of the State of Oregon led by a seven-member volunteer board of directors appointed by Oregon’s governor. LTD’s budget is funded through a combination of fares, taxes paid by local employers and employees, and from state and federal sources. LTD lives its mission to connect our community by delivering more than 5 million annual passenger boardings from 30 fixed bus routes and two EmX Bus Rapid Transit lines. LTD’s paratransit service, RideSource, provides more than 250,000 trips annually for people with disabilities and Medicaid recipients. More information about LTD is at www.LTD.org.