Board of Trustees
Focused on Taking You Further
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 – 2027January 2026
| Date | Time | Meeting |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, Jan. 13 | 9:30-10:30 AM | Strategic and Operational Planning Committee Agenda |
| Tuesday, Jan. 13 | 3:30-4:30 PM | External Stakeholder Relations Committee Agenda |
| Thursday, Jan. 15 | CANCELLED | Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee |
| Thursday, Jan. 22 | 4:00-5:00 PM | Governance Committee Agenda |
| Wednesday, Jan. 28 | 9:00-10:30 AM | Board of Trustees Agenda |
February 2026
NO MEETINGS
March 2026
| Date | Time | Meeting |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, March 3 | 9:30-10:30 AM | Strategic and Operational Planning Committee |
| Tuesday, March 3 | 3:30-4:30 PM | External Stakeholder Relations Committee |
| Thursday, March 5 | 2:00-3:30 PM | Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee |
| Thursday, March 12 | 4:00-5:00 PM | Governance Committee |
| Wednesday, March 25 | 9:00-10:30 AM | Board of Trustees |
April 2026
NO MEETINGS
May 2026
| Date | Time | Meeting |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, May 5 | 9:30-10:30 AM | Strategic and Operational Planning Committee |
| Tuesday, May 5 | 3:30-4:30 PM | External Stakeholder Relations Committee |
| Thursday, May 7 | 2:00-3:30 PM | Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee |
| Thursday, May 14 | 4:00-5:00 PM | Governance Committee |
| Wednesday, May 27 | 9:00-10:30 AM | Board of Trustees |
June 2026
NO MEETINGS
July 2026
| Date | Time | Meeting |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, July 7 | 9:30-10:30 AM | Strategic and Operational Planning Committee |
| Tuesday, July 7 | 3:30-4:30 PM | External Stakeholder Relations Committee |
| Thursday, July 9 | 2:00-3:30 PM | Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee |
| Thursday, July 16 | 4:00-5:00 PM | Governance Committee |
| Wednesday, July 22 | 9:00-10:30 AM | Board of Trustees |
August 2026
NO MEETINGS
September 2026
| Date | Time | Meeting |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, September 8 | 9:30-10:30 AM | Strategic and Operational Planning Committee |
| Tuesday, September 8 | 3:30-4:30 PM | External Stakeholder Relations Committee |
| Thursday, September 10 | 2:00-3:30 PM | Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee |
| Thursday, September 17 | 4:00-5:00 PM | Governance Committee |
| Wednesday, September 23 | 9:00-10:30 AM | Board of Trustees |
October 2026
| Date | Time | Meeting |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, October 19 | 9:00 AM-4:00 PM | Board Retreat |
November 2026
| Date | Time | Meeting |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, November 10 | 9:30-10:30 AM | Strategic and Operational Planning Committee |
| Tuesday, November 10 | 3:30-4:30 PM | External Stakeholder Relations Committee |
| Thursday, November 12 | 3:00-4:00 PM | Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee |
| Thursday, November 12 | 4:00-5:00 PM | Governance Committee |
| Wednesday, November 18 | 9:00-10:30 AM | Board of Trustees |
December 2026
| Date | Time | Meeting |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, December 1 | 9:30-10:30 AM | Strategic and Operational Planning Committee |
| Tuesday, December 1 | 3:30-4:30 PM | External Stakeholder Relations Committee |
| Thursday, December 3 | 3:00-4:00 PM | Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee |
| Thursday, December 3 | 4:00-5:00 PM | Governance Committee |
| Wednesday, December 9 | 9:00-10:30 AM | Board of Trustees |
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.