The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has announced that Nora Leerhsen, the current chief of staff, will take over as the acting president of the agency when Dorval Carter Jr. retires at the end of the month. This transition is set to take place on Sunday, February 1, the day after Carter’s retirement.
Leerhsen expressed her excitement about taking on this new role. “I look forward to serving our riders and employees in this new role. This is a critical time for our agency and for the future of public transit,” she said in a statement. “As acting president, I will build on our accomplishments as an agency and am confident that we are up to the task of carrying CTA successfully through this transition.”
This is a historic moment for the CTA, as Leerhsen will become the first woman to lead the agency in its 77-year history. She has been a part of the CTA since 2014 and has held several important roles.
In her first four years, she worked in various capacities, including senior advisor to the chief of staff, chief operating officer, and deputy chief of staff. Leerhsen also worked in the CTA’s safety and law departments, focusing on agency-wide audits, ethics issues, and safety compliance.
Leerhsen’s tenure as chief of staff began in 2018. As chief of staff, she managed a wide range of operations at the CTA, including service delivery, capital planning, employee programs, and communication strategies. She also served as the key liaison to the Mayor’s office, the CTA Board, city departments, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), and other service boards.
Leerhsen has an impressive academic background, holding a law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a master’s degree in social science from the University of Chicago, and a master’s degree in education from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. She also holds a bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Dorval Carter Jr., who has been at the helm of the CTA for nearly 10 years, announced on Monday that he would retire at the end of the month after 40 years of service in public transportation. Carter’s next step will be leading St. Anthony Hospital in North Lawndale.
During Carter’s tenure, he faced significant challenges, including growing criticism of the CTA’s safety, cleanliness, and timeliness. Over the past year, public pressure increased for him to step down, with some demanding his resignation. Despite these pressures, Carter’s leadership during his nearly decade-long service has been a notable chapter in CTA’s history.
As the CTA prepares for this transition, Leerhsen’s leadership is expected to steer the agency through a critical period in public transportation. She has the experience, vision, and dedication to continue the CTA’s efforts in improving services for commuters across the city.
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