City Utilities last week announced the hiring of a new director of transit.
Shelia Schmitt will begin her new position in October when she succeeds Carol Cruise, who is retiring Oct. 12 after 38 years with CU. Cruise, who has been director of transit since 1996, started training Schmitt June 11.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to be here before Carol steps away, so it gives me an opportunity to get to know the routes and the staff,” said Schmitt, whose starting salary is $98,439. “I’m getting a grip on everyone else’s responsibilities before I step into the position full time.”
Schmitt, formerly the general manger of Greenlink Transit in Greenville, S.C., was chosen from three other applicants after an extensive interview process that included administrative staff and drivers.
As director of transit, Schmitt will be responsible for managing the operation of the CU transit system, which includes 14 fixed bus routes and 56 employees, Cruise said, noting Schmitt also would fill her current terms on the board of the Missouri Public Transit Association and a steering committee for small operators on the American Public Transportation Association.
Springfield Business Journal Web Editor Geoff Pickle contributed to this article.[[In-content Ad]]