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The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) recently promoted Chief Engineer Jeffrey Knueppel to deputy general manager; promoted Ronald Hopkins to assistant general manager of operations; and named Thomas Nestel III chief of police.

In his new post, Knueppel will oversee the Engineering, Maintenance and Construction (EM&C) Division and the Operations Division. He will report to GM Joseph Casey.

Prior to his promotion, Knueppel served as assistant GM and chief engineer of the EM&C Division, a position he held for the past six years of his 24-year SEPTA career. The EM&C Division currently is launching a fare collection modernization project for all modes in the agency’s fleet.

Hopkins now will oversee the operation of the entire fleet of more than 2,000 vehicles, the operation and maintenance of all 23 shops, and management of nearly 7,000 employees.

For the past 11 years, Hopkins served as chief control center officer. A 22-year employee, he began his career in the System Safety Department. In addition to his responsibilities as AGM of operations, he will continue to maintain oversight of the control center until the position is filled.

Meanwhile, Nestel, a fourth-generation police officer, began his career in law enforcement in 1982 as a patrol officer with the SEPTA Transit Police. He later joined the Philadelphia Police Department, where he served more than 22 years and attained the rank of staff inspector.