New Orleans, LA — At its regular board meeting today, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority Board of Commissioners accepted the resignation of Chief Executive Officer Lona Edwards Hankins, effective immediately. The Board also appointed Ronald G. “Ron” Baptiste Jr. to serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer while the agency conducts a national search for its next permanent CEO. 

The Board previously authorized Chair Ann Duplessis to negotiate a separation agreement and approved moving forward with a national search process for the agency’s next chief executive. RTA will continue normal operations throughout the leadership transition. 

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Ms. Hankins for her service to the RTA and to the people who depend on public transit,” said Board Chair Ann Duplessis. “Our priority now is a steady transition, support for employees, and the selection of RTA’s next chief executive.” 

In a farewell message to employees, Hankins reflected on her time leading the agency and thanked staff for their commitment to riders and the city. 

“Serving as CEO of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority has been more than a role, it has been an honor, a calling, and one of the greatest privileges of my professional life,” Hankins wrote. “Thank you for trusting me, supporting me, challenging me, and inspiring me. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your story.” 

The Board also voted today to appoint Baptiste as Interim CEO, effective immediately. Baptiste currently serves as RTA’s Director of Procurement and Grants and brings decades of transit and financial leadership experience to the role, including supporting RTA operations prior to the agency bringing day-to-day operations in-house in 2019. 

“During transitions like this, it is important that employees, riders, and the public continue to have stability,” said Baptiste. “My focus is supporting our workforce, maintaining reliable service, and ensuring continuity as the Board moves through the search process.” 

The Board will share additional information regarding the national CEO search as the process moves forward.

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The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority is a sub-division of the State of Louisiana which is operated by an independent Board of Commissioners that serves Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard Parishes. The agency operates car and passenger ferries, fixed-route buses, Paratransit, and streetcar services. For updates, service alerts, and agency news, follow the RTA on social media: @neworleansrta on Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook, and New Orleans Regional Transit Authority on LinkedIn.