CIRTA Announces Interim Executive Director
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority has named Lori Kaplan interim executive director. Kaplan previously served as manager of Commuter Connect.
April 29, 2015
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Lori Kaplan has been named interim executive director of the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA). Lori had been serving as manager of Commuter Connect, Central Indiana’s rideshare program and a service of CIRTA. She joined CIRTA in 2011 as vanpool manager.
Lori succeeds two executive directors who left after short terms with the organization. Prior to them, Ehren Bingaman served in the role for six years.
“Lori is a strong leader who knows Central Indiana well,” said CIRTA Board Chair Cassie Stockamp. “With the Red Line taking shape, IndyGo’s Downtown Transit Center under construction and other transit initiatives gaining steam, it’s important that we have someone with Lori’s understanding of transit leading the way.”
When Kaplan was vanpool manager, participation in the program grew by more than 200 percent; as manager of Commuter Connect, she led similar program growth. Before joining CIRTA, Kaplan served in a variety of roles, including commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, chief legal counsel for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and director of public works for the City of Lawrence. She also worked as business development manager for an environmental services firm. Kaplan earned a law degree from Indiana University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois. She is on the board of directors of, and is a past president, of the Indianapolis Fringe Festival. She also serves as a board member of the Central Indiana Land Trust.
CIRTA is one of three lead partners in Indy Connect, a unique and comprehensive transportation plan and process that defines the future multimodal network of transportation alternatives for Central Indiana. In addition, CIRTA oversees the Commuter Connect regional rideshare program and operates the Plainfield Connector.
CIRTA is governed by a 17-member board of directors who represent 10 counties in the region, as well as municipalities, the Indianapolis Regional Transportation Council and the labor organization for IndyGo employees.
Source: The Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority