Traverse City Record-Eagle

Grand Traverse County

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    BATA MEETING
April 30, 2009

Tom Menzel hired as BATA executive director

Former Cherry Fest head will earn $1 per month through July

By Sheri McWhirter

TRAVERSE CITY -- A new leader is in place at the local public bus system.

Board members for the Bay Area Transportation Authority on Wednesday hired Tom Menzel as executive director, filling a post that was vacant for more than a year.

"He will move us forward. He's got great skills in assessing needs," said Tina Allen, BATA board member.

Menzel, 64, of Traverse City, resigned last year after three years as executive director of the National Cherry Festival.

He steps into his new post as BATA officials struggled during the last year to analyze the agency's finances and operations, particularly a budget deficit and a series of accidents that injured bus riders, among other concerns.

Menzel will earn $1 per month from May through July and thereafter an annual $75,000 salary, according to his contract. His benefits will include five weeks of paid vacation, plus a monthly $417 payment in lieu of health insurance.

Menzel intends to improve communication within BATA and with the community, he said, plus work to make BATA a more appealing option for area residents.

"I think it's branding. The brand of BATA is currently not what it should be. We need to improve the brand image," Menzel said.

That can be done, at least in part, he said, by continued environmental considerations and linking the public bus system to community planning efforts in Traverse City, Grand Traverse County and surrounding areas.

"BATA is a critical part of infrastructure to the community ... and infrastructure is a critical component of economic development," Menzel said.

BATA bus driver Kim McCloskey and dispatcher Becky Erickson said they look forward to Menzel's promise of improved communication.

"I think he's going to prove to us whether it was a good decision (to hire him)," Erickson said.

Linda Joppich, chairwoman of the local Friends of Transit group, believes Menzel has the experience and leadership needed at BATA, she said.

"I think he will be the adhesive we need to pull everything together," Joppich said.

Menzel previously served as treasurer and mayor of Rolling Meadows, Ill. He's the former president of the Northwest Suburban Alliance for Commerce and Industry, and he also worked for companies McGraw Hill, Xerox, Allstate and Leelanau Industries.

Former BATA director Joseph DeKoning retired in March 2008 after more than 16 years. He served as the top executive since 1996 and earned an annual $71,761 salary.

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