Benson recommended as UTA's next president, CEO

The Utah Transit Authority's (UTA) executive committee last week recommended Jerry Benson as the agency's next president and chief executive officer.

Jerry Benson
Photo: UTA

Benson has served as the interim executive for the past year. He has more than three decades of public transportation experience, UTA officials said in a press release.

The UTA's full board is expected to vote Wednesday on the recommendation.

The committee conducted a national year-long search. More than 120 applications were received from public- and private-sector candidates across the United States.

"In searching for the best person to lead UTA into the future, we found ourselves comparing other candidates to Mr. Benson, who had asked not to be considered for the position in order to focus on his duties as interim president & CEO," UTA Board Chair H. David Burton said.

However, since none of the other candidates "proved themselves more qualified" than Benson, the committee asked him to reconsider, Burton added.

"I am happy to say he has done so, and he is very excited at the possibility of serving as UTA's president & CEO," Burton said.

If approved by the full board, Benson will succeed Michael Allegra, who retired in August 2015.