April 23, 2024 11:10 a.m.    

Umpqua Public Transportation District has announced the recent appointment of Ben Edtl as the permanent chief executive officer.

An UPTD release said, initially brought on board as interim general manager just four months ago, Edtl claims to have successfully guided the transit district from near insolvency to fiscal and operational stability.

Board Vice Chair Jon Estill said, “I’ve hired a lot of leaders in my private sector career, and Ben is no doubt the best hire I’ve made”.

When Edtl was first appointed as interim GM, the district was confronting imminent insolvency, with funding withheld by the Oregon Department of Transportation and insufficient cashflow to meet payroll obligations. The district also faced over 40 significant compliance violations, further complicating the financial crisis.

The release said today, under Edtl’s leadership, the district is thriving. Edtl said, “Running a transit agency is not much different from any other private sector organization”. Edtl said, “We need a clear purpose, an understanding of who we are, and the right people in the right seats. The future for Umpqua Public Transit is bright”.

Edtl said, “As interim CEO, I promised to achieve 100 percent compliance within three months. Thanks to the support of our dedicated and savy Board, we’ve accomplished that goal”. Edtl added, “With compliance issues behind us, we’re now positioned to secure additional funding, strengthen community relationships, and further improve service and local economic opportunities”.

The release said Edtl noted, “Under America First Leadership, the district has been essentially DOGE’d; every penny accounted for, every allocation assessed. We’ve instituted a culture of responsibility to taxpayers who fund our operations across the state and the country as a whole. I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished so far”.