Board of Trustees
Focused on Taking You Further
The Team That’s Leading Us to Tomorrow
COTA’s Board of Trustees is the governing body of COTA and is responsible for overseeing COTA as established by Ohio Revised Code 306.30 to 306.50.
Board members have three primary obligations:
- Duty of Care—Board members shall perform their duties with the care that an ordinary prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances.
- Duty of Good Faith—Board members shall take the necessary actions to be informed and exercise appropriate judgment.
- Duty of Loyalty—Board members shall perform their duties in a manner the Board Member reasonably believes to be in, or not opposed to, the best interest of COTA.
Additionally, board members should:
- Provide a clear vision for COTA’s future.
- Provide oversight of COTA’s operations.
- Work effectively with other board members, leadership and the President/CEO.
- Be an advocate for COTA’s vision, mission, values and COTA’s long-range transit plan.
Board members are appointed for three-year terms by:
- Franklin County (two appointees)
- Columbus (seven appointees)
- Various suburbs (four appointees)
Here Are the People Looking Out for You
Craig Treneff
Chair
Attorney at Law, Treneff Cozza Law, LLC
Appointed by Franklin County Commissioners
Term: 2020 – 2023
Marlon Moore
Vice Chair
President, Marlon Moore Consulting, LLC
Appointed by City of Columbus
Term: 2019 – 2022
Trudy Bartley
Trustee
Associate Vice President, Local Government & Community Relations, The Ohio State University
Appointed by City of Columbus
Term: 2021 – 2024
Julie Colley
Trustee
Former Assistant City Manager, City of Westerville
Appointed by City of Westerville
Term: 2021 – 2024
Jennifer Gallagher
Trustee
Director, City of Columbus Department of Public Service
Appointed by City of Columbus
Term: 2020 – 2023
Steven Gladman
Trustee
President, Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County
Appointed by City of Grandview Heights
Term: 2019 – 2022
Sean Mentel
Trustee
Partner, Kooperman Mentel Ferguson Yaross, Ltd.
Appointed by City of Columbus
Term: 2021 – 2023
Amy Landino
Trustee
President, Vlog Boss Studios
Appointed by City of Columbus
Term: 2019 – 2022
Doug McCollough
Trustee
Chief Information Officer, City of Dublin
Appointed by City of Reynoldsburg
Term: 2021 – 2024
Timothy Skinner
Trustee
Assistant Business Manager, Sprinkler Fitters Local Union 669
Appointed by City of Columbus
Term: 2021 – 2024
Julie Sloat
Trustee
Chief Financial Officer, AEP
Appointed by City of Columbus
Term: 2020 – 2023
Kumi Walker
Trustee
Chief Business Development and Strategy Officer, Root Insurance
Appointed by City of Bexley
Term: 2021 – 2024
Vacant
Trustee
Appointed by Franklin County Commissioners
Term: # – 2023
Details on Our Upcoming Board Meetings
The COTA Board of Trustees meets frequently throughout the year.
All board meetings are open to the public. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ohio Legislature has permitted virtual public meetings under an exemption to Ohio’s Sunshine Law until July 1, 2021. All COTA Board of Trustees Board and Committee Meetings will be held in a hybrid virtual/in-person format for the foreseeable future.
The Board Chair shall have the discretion to recognize special speakers, public officials and guests to speak without a time limitation prior to the public comment period.
Public comments will be allowed at the beginning of each COTA Board meeting prior to the discussion of the COTA Board agenda items. People wishing to address the Board should sign in with the Assistant Secretary prior to the commencement of the meeting.
Generally, each person will be allotted three (3) minutes for this purpose on a first-come, first-served basis; provided, however, the total time allocated for general public comments shall not exceed 30 minutes. If more speakers have signed up for general public comments than can be accommodated in this 30-minute session, then at the discretion of the Board Chair, the general public comments session may be extended subject to the three (3) minute time limit outlined above.
The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. To request an ADA reasonable accommodation, please contact the individual indicated below no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting: Aracely Tagliaventi at TagliaventiA@cota.com or 614-308-4338.
2021 Board Meetings
January 2021
| Date | Time | Meeting |
| Wednesday, January 6 | 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees The COTA Board of Trustees have called for a Special Meeting on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 8:30 AM. The purpose of the meeting is the consideration of the Memorandum of Agreement between COTA and Local 208 Transport Workers of America. Minutes |
| Wednesday, January 6 | 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Strategic and Operational Planning Committee Minutes |
| Tuesday, January 12 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM | External Stakeholder Relations Committee Minutes |
| Wednesday, January 20 | 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM | Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee Minutes |
| Wednesday, January 20 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Governance Committee Minutes |
| Wednesday, January 27 | 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Board of Trustees Minutes |
February 2021
| FEBRUARY 2021 | ||
| Wednesday, February 17 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Special Governance Committee The COTA Governance Committee will hold a Special Meeting on Wednesday, February 17 at 3:00 PM. The purpose of this meeting is to consider the appointment, employment and compensation of a public employee or official. Minutes |
| Wednesday, February 24 | 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees The COTA Board of Trustees will hold a Special Meeting on Wednesday, February 24 at 8:30 AM. The purpose of this meeting is to consider the appointment, employment and compensation of a public employee or official. Minutes |
March 2021
| Date | Time | Meeting |
| Wednesday, March 10 | 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Strategic and Operational Planning Committee |
| Tuesday, March 16 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM | External Stakeholder Relations Committee Minutes |
| Wednesday, March 24 | 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM | Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee Minutes |
| Wednesday, March 24 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Governance Committee Minutes |
| Wednesday, March 31 | 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Board of Trustees Minutes |
April 2021
| No Meetings |
May 2021
| Date | Date | Meeting |
| Wednesday, May 5 | 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Strategic and Operational Planning Committee |
| Tuesday, May 11 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM | External Stakeholder Relations Committee |
| Thursday, May 12 | 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM | Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee Minutes |
| Wednesday, May 19 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Governance Committee |
| Wednesday, May 26 | 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Annual Meeting & Regular Board of Trustees Meeting |
June 2021
| No Meetings |
July 2021
| Date | Time | Meeting |
| Wednesday, July 7 | 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Strategic and Operational Planning Committee All COTA Committee Meetings in July will take place in the WG Porter Boardroom at COTA’s Administrative Offices at 33 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215. Members of the Public attending the meeting will be asked to follow the below protocols:
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| Tuesday, July 13 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM | External Stakeholder Relations Committee All COTA Committee Meetings in July will take place in the WG Porter Boardroom at COTA’s Administrative Offices at 33 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215.Members of the Public attending the meeting will be asked to follow the below protocols:
|
| Monday, July 19 | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM | Special Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee Meeting
The regularly scheduled Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee meeting has been rescheduled and the special meeting’s purposes will be for general purposes. All COTA Committee Meetings in July will take place in the WG Porter Boardroom at COTA’s Administrative Offices at 33 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215. Members of the Public attending the meeting will be asked to follow the below protocols:
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| Wednesday, July 21 | Rescheduled | Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee |
| Wednesday, July 21 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Governance Committee All COTA Committee Meetings in July will take place in the WG Porter Boardroom at COTA’s Administrative Offices at 33 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215.Members of the Public attending the meeting will be asked to follow the below protocols:
|
| Wednesday, July 28 | 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Board of Trustees The COTA Board of Trustees Meeting on Wednesday, July 28 at 8:30 AM will take place in Conference Rooms 1034/1035 at COTA’s McKinley Avenue Facility at 1600 McKinley Avenue, Columbus, OH 43223 on the Transportation Side (East Side closest to McKinley Park with the gated entrance). Members of the Public attending the meeting will be asked to follow the below protocols:
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August 2021
| No Meetings |
September 2021
| Date | Time | Meeting |
| Wednesday, September 8 | 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Strategic and Operational Planning Committee |
| Tuesday, September 14 | 10:00 – 11:30 AM | Special Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee The regularly scheduled Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee meeting has been rescheduled and the special meeting’s purposes will be for general purposes. |
| Tuesday, September 14 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM | External Stakeholder Relations Committee |
| Thursday, September 16 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Special Governance Committee The regularly scheduled Governance Committee meeting has been rescheduled and the special meeting’s purposes will be for general purposes. |
| Wednesday, September 22 | Rescheduled | Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee |
| Wednesday, September 22 | Rescheduled | Governance Committee |
| Wednesday, September 29 | 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Board of Trustees
The COTA Board of Trustees Meeting on Wednesday, September 29 at 8:30 AM will take place in Conference Rooms 1034/1035 at COTA’s McKinley Avenue Facility at 1600 McKinley Avenue, Columbus, OH 43223 on the Transportation Side (East Side closest to McKinley Park with the gated entrance).
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October 2021
| No Meetings |
November 2021
| Date | Time | Meeting |
| Wednesday, November 3 | 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Strategic and Operational Planning Committee |
| Tuesday, November 9 | Canceled | External Stakeholder Relations Committee |
| Wednesday, November 10 | Rescheduled | Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee |
| Wednesday, November 10 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Special Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee The regularly scheduled Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee meeting has been rescheduled and the special meeting’s purposes will be for general purposes. |
| Wednesday, November 10 | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Governance Committee |
| Wednesday, November 17 | 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Board of Trustees
The COTA Board of Trustees Meeting on Wednesday, November 17 at 8:30 AM will take place in Conference Rooms 1034/1035 at COTA’s McKinley Avenue Facility at 1600 McKinley Avenue, Columbus, OH 43223 on the Transportation Side (East Side closest to McKinley Park with the gated entrance). Masks are required to be worn inside COTA facilities due to FTA mandate until January 18, 2022 |
December 2021
| Date | Time | Meeting |
| Wednesday, December 1 | 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Strategic and Operational Planning Committee |
| Tuesday, December 7 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM | External Stakeholder Relations Committee |
| Wednesday, December 8 | Rescheduled | Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee |
| Wednesday, December 8 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Special Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee The regularly scheduled Performance Monitoring/Audit Committee meeting has been rescheduled and the special meeting’s purposes will be for general purposes. |
| Wednesday, December 8 | Rescheduled | Governance Committee |
| Thursday, December 9 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Special Governance Committee The regularly scheduled Governance Committee meeting has been rescheduled and the special meeting’s purposes will be for general purposes. |
| Wednesday, December 15 | 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Board of Trustees
The COTA Board of Trustees Meeting on Wednesday, December 15 at 8:30 AM will take place in Conference Rooms 1034/1035 at COTA’s McKinley Avenue Facility at 1600 McKinley Avenue, Columbus, OH 43223 on the Transportation Side (East Side closest to McKinley Park with the gated entrance). Members of the Public attending the meeting will be asked to follow the below protocols: |
Our Board Meeting Archives
COTA policy requires that we keep our board meeting minutes permanently. For minutes prior to 2021, please contact Customer Service and file a public records request.
COTA Advisory Panel
As provided in the COTA Charter, an Advisory Panel was established to advise COTA management in the development and implementation of public transit in central Ohio.
- One member appointed by the Franklin County Commissioners.
- One member appointed by the Mayor or other chief executive officer of each municipal corporation participating in the creation of COTA.
- At-large members may be appointed by the President/CEO with the consent of the Board of Trustees or as provided in Resolution No. 2011-20 and procedures adopted consistent therewith.
Each member appointed to the Advisory Panel shall be a resident and have a familiarity with public transit needs in central Ohio.
The Advisory Panel shall meet quarterly and be used by COTA management as a resource in making decisions on public transit and, as appropriate, incorporate advice from the Panel into programs presented to the Board.
COTA Mobility Management Advisory Board
The Mobility Management Advisory Board (MMAB) assists COTA in developing innovative, viable transportation solutions for underserved individuals and businesses. Members are representatives from Central Ohio stakeholder organizations that provide direct services or advocate for underserved individuals and businesses.