Utah Transit Authority names Gonot executive director

Utah Transit Authority's (UTA) board announced yesterday it selected Carolyn Gonot as executive director, effective Aug. 19.

A 25-year transit professional, Gonot will join UTA after 22 years at the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority. There, she led the funding and planning for the 16-mile, six-station extension of the Bay Area Rapid Transit system into San Jose, California, UTA officials said in a press release.

Gonot’s breadth of experience in the transit industry is extensive, ranging from service and program planning to managing and implementing major capital projects, said UTA Chair Carlton Christensen.

“Her decades of transit experience give her an understanding of the entire transit agency, and she has the leadership qualities to ensure UTA continues to improve its service to the community,” he said.

Gonot is the first woman to serve as UTA's top executive and the first administrator not promoted from within the organization, The Salt Lake Tribune reported. She was hired after the agency was restructured by the Utah Legislature and after a six-month search.