SARTA's top executive replaced after unexpected resignation email. New CEO named
The busing agency's board at its Aug. 20 meeting unanimously appointed as SARTA's interim CEO Ralph Lee, former chief human resources officer for the Kenan Advantage Group, according to Ron Macala, SARTA's board president.
Conrad cleaned out his office last week, Macala said.
The SARTA board president confirmed this took place after Conrad sent a surprise resignation email to all board members on Aug. 6 that he would be stepping down a year from now in August 2026.
Conrad, who became SARTA's CEO in July 2009, did not state the reason for his resignation in the email.
SARTA's website the night of Aug. 20 was still listing him as its executive director/CEO. The agency uses buses and vans to transport residents across Stark County, handling more than 2 million rides annually, according to its website.
Conrad could not be reached for comment the evening of Aug. 20.
Related: SARTA had budget 'disaster,' CEO says. Agency's finance director now laid off
SARTA board surprised by Kirt Conrad's resignation email
The resignation email came as a surprise to SARTA's board.
"I was shocked when I got that letter from Kirt," said board member Margaret Egbert.
"Just my personal opinion, I thought it was bizarre."
Egbert indicated she had no issues with Conrad's performance as CEO.
"I've always been a big Kirt fan. I believed what he did with the hydrogen buses was incredible. ... He made us a leader in the nation with international recognition."
But Egbert said it was not standard practice to have a "sort of lame duck" CEO for a year.
SARTA leadership transition
Macala said he and Conrad spoke around Aug. 14, and they agreed that Conrad could not remain CEO under the circumstances. He said Conrad never said why he sent the resignation email.
"We're not terminating Mr. Conrad. We're not firing Mr. Conrad. We just decided mutually that it was time to part ways," said Macala. "We're in the process now of finalizing a separation agreement between Mr. Conrad and SARTA and we hope to have that done in the next few days."
Macala said he didn't expect any other changes in SARTA's leadership.
Macala said the transition would not affect SARTA's operations. He said SARTA's finances are stable, and he does not anticipate any change or cuts in services in the near future. In February, SARTA implemented cuts in its ProLine service for riders with disabilities after an unanticipated drop in revenue.
Macala, who's an employment attorney, said SARTA's law firm Schulman, Roth and Associates will negotiate a separation agreement with Conrad or his attorney.
SARTA will propose that Conrad's last day was officially on Aug. 18.
Macala said he contacted Lee and asked if he would be interested in serving as interim CEO if the board were to approve.
Macala said SARTA will pay Lee $15,000 per month. Macala did not have information on what Conrad's salary was at the time he departed. The board has not yet decided on how it will proceed in finding a permanent CEO.
"SARTA is going to be fine. We're going to get back to a state of stability," said Macala.
As for Lee, "he's got a great background. .... He's got a great reputation. He's worked for a lot of national firms. In high management responsibilities including HR."
At the same time, SARTA has been negotiating new salary rates with the union representing its drivers, mechanics and other employees under a reopener clause in the union's three-year contract approved in January. Macala said Conrad's departure will not affect those negotiations, and Macala said he believed SARTA is close to an agreement with the union local.
The union local is American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1880.
SARTA's board has also hired a search firm to help the agency find a new chief financial officer, Macala said. The board has not yet interviewed any candidates.
Conrad placed the agency's last CFO on paid administrative in November. SARTA later laid her off. Conrad accused her of errors that led to SARTA's financial reports being off by millions of dollars.
(This story will be updated as new information becomes available.)
Reach Robert at robert.wang@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Kirt Conrad steps down as SARTA CEO. Ralph Lee is interim CEO
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