Michael Murray
CEO and President of Operations for FirstGroup America
Mike began his career in the transportation industry as a labor law clerk more than 20 years ago. After obtaining his law degree from Chase College of Law, he worked as a lawyer in the public transit industry. Mike then served the following ten years as an executive in the trucking industry and the next seven as an executive for First Group America before assuming the role as First Transit President in 2004. He is committed to ensuring that First Transits goals and objectives are met. He is a member of the American Public Transportation Association, COMTO, the Ohio Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He is licensed to practice in the state of Ohio and before the United States Supreme Court. He holds a Masters from Ohio State University and a BA from Xavier University. His office is located in Cincinnati, OH. He can be reached at 513-241-2200.

Linda Bell
President First Transit & First Services
Linda joined First Group America in January 2008, bringing with her 12 years of experience in the transportation industry both in the UK and the USA. Most recently she served as CFO of Virgin Rail Group in the UK. For 5 years prior to that she served as CFO for Coach USA based in Houston, Texas, having transferred from Stagecoach’s corporate finance team in Perth, Scotland where she served as Director of Financial Control. Prior to joining the transportation industry, she held senior finance positions in a number of blue chip companies in the UK. She studied finance at Napier University in Edinburgh and is a Fellow of the Certified Association of Chartered Accountants. Linda’s office is located in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Christian Gartner
CFO
Christian earned his Bachelor of Science in Business and Accounting at Miami University in 1990 and earned an MBA from Xavier University in 1999 with a concentration in Finance. He is a CPA and brings with him significant financial and accounting experience. Christian gained fives years of experience in public accounting between Price Waterhouse and a small Cincinnati firm. He then moved on to work with Cincinnati Bell, and after a few years of success, was promoted to Vice President of Finance and Accounting. He ultimately had P&L responsibility for a $150M wholesale market. Most recently he worked as Chief Financial Officer for a division of ThyssenKrupp Inc., a company that has $12 billion in worldwide sales and employs 35,000 people. As CFO, Christian was responsible for $200 million in revenue and 20 branch offices in 14 states. He can be reached at 513-241-2200.

Rick has worked in public transit management for over 30 years, the last 26 with First Transit. He leads the Transit Management Services Division and is responsible for the overall operation of the Division. Prior to being promoted to Senior Vice President, Rick was First Transits National Safety Manager. Rick has a BA in Economics and Political Science from Ashland College and did graduate study in Public Administration at Ohio State University. Rick is a member of the American Public Transportation Association and COMTO. His office is located in Cincinnati, OH. He can be reached at 513-684-8734 or by email at rick.dunning@firstgroup.com.

Nick Promponas
Senior Vice President, West Region
As Senior Vice President, Nick utilizes his 22 years of transit experience in overseeing operations and customer satisfaction for First Transit’s operating contracts in the western United States. Nick directly oversees 28 contracts operating 1,900 buses with 4,000 employees, including a region staff of 6. Nick received a BS in Industrial Psychology from Bridgewater State College in 1989. Nick is an APTA member and served as At-Large Member of the Business Member Board of Governors and the Board of Directors from 2004 to 2006. Nick is a graduate of the 2005 class of Leadership APTA. Nick is an ex-officio Board member of the Arizona Transit Association and currently serves as the Chair of the Education and Training Committee. His office is located in Tempe, Arizona. He can be reached at 480-456-5600 ext. 13, or by email at nick.promponas@firstgroup.com.

Beverly brings 29 years of transit experience to her role as First Transit’s Senior Vice President in the newly created Central Region. This region covers an 11 state range, in which Beverly directly oversees the management and operations of over 50 contracts, more than 2,600 vehicles and over 3,500 employees. She graduated Cum Laude from Robert Morris University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Beverly holds a Certified Community Transit Manager designation from the Community Transportation Association of America. Her office is located in Pittsburgh, PA. Beverly can be reached at 412-833-1300 or by email beverly.edwards@firstgroup.com.

Bradley Thomas
Senior Vice President, East Region
Brad is a 14-year transit veteran. Brad is responsible for operations and customer satisfaction at 60 locations employing over 2,800 employees in the operation of more than 1,500 vehicles to provide fixed route, paratransit, non-emergency Medicaid, airport shuttle, university shuttle, and inmate transportation services. Brad received a Master of Arts Degree in Public Administration and Public Policy Analysis at Binghamton University, New York, as well as a BA in Public Administration and Public Policy at the State University of New York College at Cortland. In addition, he is a member of APTA, COMTO, and several other national and state transportation organizations. Brad’s office is located in Horseheads, New York. He can be reached at 607-796-0238, or by email at brad.thomas@firstgroup.com.

Gayle Gray
Vice President, Human Resources
Gayle previously was First Transit's chief labor counsel with more than 35 years of transit labor experience. Gayle has been lead negotiator on more than 150 negotiations with responsibility for countless labor and employment matters. She will preside over all human resource programs in addition to rendering her counsel on an as needed basis. Gayle has a BS in Industrial Labor Relations from Saint Joseph's University and a law degree from Salmon P. Chase College of Law in Kentucky. She holds certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and memberships in the bar associations of Kentucky and Virginia. She is a member of APTA's Legal Affairs and Legislative Committees and its Labor Relations Subcommittee of the HR Committee, and is also a member of COMTO. Her office is located in Cincinnati.

Frank Ciccarella
Vice President, Safety and Security
Frank brings 18 years of driver development and transportation safety experience to First Transit in his role as Vice President of Safety and Security. In this role, Frank is responsible for designing and monitoring implementation and performance of nationwide safety and risk management programs for all First Transit locations. He holds multiple certifications for driver development and instructor programs. Frank resides on the Board of Directors for the Public Transportation Safety Institute, and is a member of the American Public Transportation Association Bus Safety Committee and the Information Resource Management Council. His office is located in Cincinnati, OH. Frank can be reached by email frank.ciccarella@firstgroup.com.

Todd Hawkins
Vice President, Maintenance
Todd started his career over 25 years ago as a mechanic. He is now responsible for maintenance activities for transit contracting systems operating fixed route, paratransit, trolley, shuttle and over-the-road vehicles for First Transit. In addition, Todd and his staff provide technical assistance; training and best practices information to First Transits managed systems. Todd graduated with honors from the Atlanta Area Technical School with a degree in Diesel Technology and holds countless certifications. Todd is a member of the American Public Transportation Association and COMTO. Todds office is located at our corporate headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. He can be reached at 513-419-3251, or by email todd.hawkins@firstgroup.com.

John Woodford
Vice President, Heartland Region and Transit Solitions
John has over 30 years of public transportation experience. He served for 19 years as Assistant Executive Director of the Transit Authority of River City (TARC). John has extensive experience in planning, project management, training, maintenance, safety, labor relations, contract negotiations, and grants administration. John is responsible for oversight of the Heartland Region of Transit Management Services and Consulting Services. He has a B.A. in Sociology from Duke University and a Masters in City & Regional Planning from Ohio State University. John is a member of APTA, Ohio Public Transit Association, Indiana Transportation Association and the Kentucky Transit Association. His office is located in Louisville, KY. John can be reached at 502-493-4023 or by email john.woodford@firstgroup.com.

Matt Wood
Vice President, Transportation Services Group
Matt began his transit career as a scheduler with the State of Rhode Islands RIDE Program and is a 12-year transit veteran. Matt is responsible for the oversight of First Transits specialized transportation contracts including transit call center contracts with New York City Paratransit, Denver RTD Paratransit, Specialized Transportation for Arlington Residents (STAR), TriMet LIFT and MTP Dispatch in Portland, Oregon, and non-emergency Medicaid transportation contracts encompassing the entire State of Illinois and the State of Connecticut. He earned a BA from Rhode Island in English with a minor in Political Science. Matt is a member of the American Public Transportation Association, COMTO and CTAA. His office is located in New York City, New York. He can be reached at 646-772-1634, or by email mwood11@nyc.rr.com.

Don Swain
Region Vice President, West Region
Don has 25 years of public transit experience under his belt. Don is currently the Region Vice President of Operations for First Transit's West Region, overseeing fixed-route and paratransit contracts in the Pacific and Mountain Time zones. He is a member of APTA, COMTO, the California Association for Coordinated Transportation, the California Transit Association, the Oregon Transit Association, and the Colorado Association of Transit Agencies. He has a BA from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. His office is located in Gresham, Oregon. He can be reached at 503-669-2910, or by email don.swain@firstgroup.com.

Susan Spry
Region Vice President, Central Region
Susan brings her nearly 25 years of transportation experience to her role as Region Vice President for the newly created Central Region for First Transit. She is responsible for overseeing contracts in a 7 state area, including Colorado, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Susan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. She is a member of the American Public Transportation Association, California Association for Coordinated Transportation and the California Transit Association. Her office is located in Denver, CO. Susan can be contacted at 303-356-0524 or by email susan.spry@firstgroup.com.

John Mathews
Region Vice President, Central Region
John has roughly 20 years of transit-related experience to bring to this position as Region Vice President for the Central Region. His experience includes management of more than 20 contracts in the Midwest and Northwest US. John is now responsible for the First Transit contracts in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Texas and Seattle, WA, overseeing operations and customer relations. John earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. His office is located in Minneapolis, MN. John can be reached at 612-378-7460 or by email john.mathews@firstgroup.com

Tom Cain
Region Vice President, East Region
Tom began his career in the transportation industry as a trolley operator in Philadelphia 35 years ago. He has held numerous positions in rail and bus operations in both the public and private sectors. Tom retired from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in 1996 as Assistant General Manager for Suburban Operations and served as president of his own management services company until becoming East Region Director in October 2006. He now serves the East Region as a Vice President for First Transit. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in management from Neumann College in Pennsylvania and his office is located in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania. Tom can be reached at 484-880-2378, or by email at tom.cain@firstgroup.com

Pat Smith
Region Vice President, East Region
Pat has more than 15 years of transit industry experience in both paratransit and fixed-route operations, including every aspect of operations. In his role as Region Vice President, Pat will oversee contracts located in First Transit’s East Region. Pat is a Certified Community Transportation Manager by the Community Transportation Association of America and is a current member, and past Board member, of the Pennsylvania Transportation Association. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Economics from St. Francis College in Loretto, PA. Pat can be contacted by email patrick.smith@firstgroup.com

Scott Conroy
Region Vice President, East Region
Scott has 14 years of transportation experience to bring to his role of Region Vice President. He is responsible for oversight of local managers for seven contracted full service transportation operations, which include the provision of shuttle services utilizing more than 60 vehicles and over 120 employees. Contracted services include management, administration, vehicle operation and maintenance. Scott holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from William Patterson University. He can be reached by email scott.conroy@firstgroup.com

Bill Williamson
Region Vice President, Atlantic
Bill has over 18 years of transit management experience, including serving as General Manager for the Cape Cod Transit System in Massachusetts for 12 years. Since April, 2001, he has served as the Region Vice President for the Atlantic Region of Transit Management Services, overseeing more than twenty contracts. Bill has a BS from the United States Military Academy and an MS from the University of Illinois. Bill is a member of the American Public Transportation Association and COMTO. He is also part of the Community Transportation Association of America, Virginia Transit Association, North Carolina Public Transportation Association, Transportation Association of South Carolina and the Georgia Transit Association. His office is located in Williamsburg, Virginia. He can be reached at 757-565-5002, or by email bill.williamson@firstgroup.com.

Frank Tobey
Region Vice President, MoutainWest Region
Frank has over 30 years of transit experience including 23 years as Resident Manager of the Memphis Area Transit Authority. He provides oversight and a corporate contact for 12 First Transit-managed properties in the southern and western United States. Frank went to Auburn University for Pre-engineering then earned a BA with focuses in Business, Management, Accounting and Finance. He is a member of the APTA Bus Operations Committee, APTA Vintage Rail Committee, COMTO, Transportation Research Board (TOPS Committee), Tennessee Public Transit Association (former president), the South West Transit Association (board member), Louisiana Transit Association, Arkansas Transit Association, Texas Transit Association, and Kansas Transit Association. His office is in Collierville, Tennessee. Frank can be reached at 901-853-0334, or by email frank.tobey@firstgroup.com.

Elvin Tobin
Director of Business Development, Fixed Route
Known as an accomplished professional with over 18 years of proven success in transportation operations, general and program management. He has extensive experience in the executive direction of multi-million dollar federal, state, and local transit programs and projects. He has successfully directed several urban and rural demand response and fixed-route transit projects and systems that have been ranked among the best in efficiency in the United States. He previously served as senior project manager in charge of corporate operations and business development for Transportation Management Services, Inc. He has an Associate and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina. He also possesses a Master of Science in Administration degree from Trinity University in Washington, DC. Elvins office is located in Atlanta, Georgia. He can be reached at (770) 739-5116.

Rick Pulido
Director of Business Development, Shuttle and New Markets
With 20 years of public transit experience, Rick is responsible for operations and business development in the state of Texas. He has extensive fixed route, paratransit and commuter shuttle operations and management experience in the southwest, particularly in the state of Texas. Rick earned his BBA from the University of Texas at Austin and his MBA from Texas A&M International University. Rick is a member of the American Public Transportation Association, COMTO and is a board member of the Texas Transit Association. His office is located in San Antonio, Texas. He can be reached at 210-497-3586, or by email rick.pulido@firsgroup.com.

David Braun
Director of Business Development, Paratransit
David began his career in Public Transportation as a Manager-in-training with this company 19 years ago after graduating from Indiana Universitys School of Public and Environmental Affairs with a concentration in transportation and earned his MBA from Bradley University. Since then, he has successfully managed transit systems in Hamilton, OH, Sioux Falls, SD, Peoria, IL and Northern Kentucky. Braun has been an active member of APTA, as well as various State Associations and participated in the Transportation Cooperative Research Program/Eno Foundations mission to study European transportation trends and their potential applications to the U.S. He is currently responsible for Business Development for the Paratransit and Mobility Services sector and can be reached in his Cincinnati Headquarters office at 513-684-8735. His email address is david.braun@firstgroup.com

Jim Andrew
Director of Business Development, California
With 30 years of public transportation experience under his belt, Jim has vast knowledge of the industry. Jim has provided interim management to various transit locations managed by First Transit and technical consulting assistance to clients in evaluation and design of fixed route and demand-responsive systems. In his role as Director of Business Development, Jim is responsible for the entire state of California. He has a Bachelor of Urban Planning degree from the University of Cincinnati. Jim is a member of the American Public Transportation Association and the California Transit Association. His office is located in San Pedro, California. Jim can be reached at 310-521-0265, or by email jim.andrew@firstgroup.com

Jim Rude
Director of Business Development, Renewals
Jim began his career in public transportation over 30 years ago at Laidlaw Transit Services. In his new role at First Transit, Jim is an integral part of the Business Development Team responsible for our renewal contracts. He has experience in developing price models, technical proposals and all aspects of transit operations and management to contribute to renewing First Transit’s contract work. Jim's expertise is in managing operations, problem resolution and project start-ups. Jim studied General Studies and Business from the University of Oregon and Business Administration from Portland State University. His office is located in Overland Park, Kansas. Jim can be reached at 913-814-0977, or by email at jim.rude@firstgroup.com.

Chuck Barnes
Director of Business Development
Chuck has over 20 years of public transportation experience to bring to his new role as Director of Business Development. He has previous experience in business development, where he actively pursued new business and retained existing business throughout 11 states for Laidlaw Transit Services. Chuck will use his experience developing operating strategies with capital and operating budgets, staffing and project schedules to strengthen First Transit’s Business Development Team. Chuck earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin and completed Graduate Studies in Community and Regional Planning. He also holds an Executive Education Certificate in General Management from the University of Texas. Chuck’s office is located in Austin, Texas. He can be reached at 512-453-5795, or by email at chuck.barnes@firstgroup.com.

David Lee
Area Vice President, Northwest
David has over 35 years experience in the transit industry. Since 1995, he has served as First Transits General Manager for CTTRANSIT which operates the 400-bus state-owned transit systems serving greater Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford. David also serves as First Transits Area Vice President for the New England Region. Before his promotion to General Manager in 1995, he served on the management team for CTTRANSIT as Assistant General Manager for Operations and as Director of Administration. Previously he served as Director of Planning and Development with the transit system in Minneapolis-St. Paul. He is active in the Connecticut Association for Community Transportation, the NorthEast Passenger Transportation Association, and the Transit Cooperative Research Program.

Dennis Jensen
Area Vice President, Great Lakes Region
Dennis is one of First Transits senior managers with 37 years of public transportation management experience. As an Area Manager he is responsible for the oversight of five managed systems in the Great Lakes region, including Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota and is directly responsible for the General Manager duties at the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) He has extensive experience in marketing, operations, labor negotiations and grievance and arbitration proceedings. He has directed transit capital improvement programs including ITS, vehicle purchase and the construction of operations, maintenance and transfer centers in Minnesota, Texas and Maryland. Dennis earned a BFA degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and served as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Navy. He is a member and past president of the Minnesota Public Transit Association, serves as a representative for Large Urban Transit on the NE Minnesota Area Transportation Partnership and serves as a Governor appointee on the Citizens Board of Directors of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. His office is located in Duluth, Minnesota and he can be reached at 218-722-0770 or by email at dennis.jensen@firstgroup.com.

Laura Wilson
Director, Business Analysis
Laura is currently responsible for analysis of business opportunities, for both operating contracts and acquisitions for First Transit. As such, she employs 25 years experience in the public transit industry covering a diversity of disciplines. Laura is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Business Administration. She is a member of the American Public Transportation Association and COMTO. Her office is located in Cincinnati, Ohio. She can be reached at 513-684-8721, or by email laura.wilson@firstgroup.com.

Lisa A. Gatwood
Director, Sales Support Services
Ms. Gatwood is a seasoned, highly motivated Manager with a successful track record in paratransit operations, transit consulting, information systems and project management for fixed route and paratransit. She has more than 18 years in progressive experience in all phases of Paratransit Operations, Data Management, Consulting, Operations, Planning and Management Information Systems. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Marketing from Eastern Kentucky University. Her office is located in Cincinnati, Ohio. She can be reached by email lisa.gatwood@firstgroup.com.

Ryan Minges
Director, Transit Solutions
As Director of Transit Solutions, Ryan is responsible for bus line inspection and bus operator monitoring projects throughout the United States. Prior to being promoted to Director, Ryan was a Project Manager for the Transit Solutions Group at First Transit. He has experience in contract activities concerning bus production and inspection services, Pre-Award and Post Delivery audits, maintenance performance audits, and operator performance audits. For only being in the industry for 5 yeas, Ryan has proven to be a great asset to First Transit. Ryan has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati. He can be reached at 513-419-3278 or via email at ryan.minges@firstgroup.com.