The VTA Board of Directors appointed Dale Austin Jenkins as Interim Chief Operating Officer. Chief Operating Officer Inez Evans Benson is retiring from VTA effective August 17. Evans Benson will take over as President and CEO of the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation, IndyGo. The appointment of Mr. Jenkins is necessary to continue to provide strategic leadership and day to day oversight to the Operations Division for an interim period, while a recruitment for permanent appointment is underway.

Mr. Jenkins is a 40-year veteran of the transportation industry and a former employee of VTA, having retired in 2004. He was most recently CEO of Jenkins Rail Transportation Solutions, LLC, providing rail operations consultation, design review and other related services to public transportation clients.

His previous roles included: Assistant General Manager, Rail Operations with Denver Regional Transit District and Director of Operations with Seattle Monorail Project. Mr. Jenkins’ career with VTA spanned 30 years beginning as a bus operator and included progressively responsible positions within the Operations Division. He was a General Superintendent with VTA from 2000 to 2004 where he was responsible for the daily operation of the light rail system. He also served as the Rail Activation Manager for Tasman West and the I-880 rail line extensions.

Mr. Jenkins will take over as Interim COO beginning Monday, August 19th.