Cleveland RTA confirms Birdsong as CEO

Rail News Home Railroading People 8/21/2019 Rail News: Railroading People
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Chief Executive Officer and General Manager India BirdsongPhoto – WeGo Public Transit

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) yesterday announced that India Birdsong will become the authority’s next chief executive officer and general manager, effective Sept. 16.

GCRTA’s board yesterday unanimously approved Birdsong’s contract, which has been under negotiation since early July after a 10-month nationwide candidate search. 

Birdsong succeeds Joseph Calabrese, who stepped down in September 2018, and Floun’say Caver, who served as interim CEO for the past year.

In her new role, Birdsong will oversee 2,300 employees and a $218 million annual budget.

Birdsong arrives from Tennessee, where she was chief operating officer of Nashville’s public transportation authority, WeGo Public Transit. She also spent nine years with the Chicago Transit Authority in a variety of roles.