The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority Board of Trustees has appointed a committee to oversee the search for a new CEO of the Metro public bus system in Cincinnati, which is operated by S.O.R.T.A.

The board committee will be led by William Mallory, Sr., Vice Chair of the SORTA board. SORTA could choose to continue its current contract with Professional Transit Management LLC or hire a CEO directly.

“SORTA’s mission is to provide cost-effective, efficient, quality transportation options within available resources to enable people to access their chosen activities. We have an obligation committee

to assure the seamless continuity of service for our customers and the community,” said William Mallory Sr. “Our objective is to secure the best candidate to operate Greater Cincinnati’s transit system.”

Following the abrupt dismissal of Marilyn Shazor as Metro CEO two weeks ago, Tom Hock, president and CEO of Professional Transit Management, is serving as Metro’s interim CEO. Hock, who has 36 years of transit experience, has worked with Metro for many years and is considered a national expert in transit labor law. He has been responsible for oversight of Metro as a PTM account since last summer.