Caver currently serves as the agency’s Deputy General Manager of Operations, widely considered to be RTA’s number two role. He first joined RTA in 2000.
After he obtained his Doctorate in Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Dallas, he rejoined RTA and has been there since 2006. Caver also holds an undergraduate degree from Hiram College and a Masters from CSU’s Levin School of Urban Affairs.
“Doc’s capabilities are an excellent fit to this organization, and I look forward to assisting him during this transition,” said Calabrese, in a statement.
Calabrese will be gradually transitioned out. He’ll continue serving as CEO and GM officially until Sep. 1. and will then serve as a “Senior Advisor for Special Projects and Strategic Innovation” in a full-time capacity between September 1, 2018 – February 28, 2019. After that date, he will serve as a part-time adviser until February 29, 2020.
A faction within the RTA board, led by Valarie McCall (a Frank Jackson appointee) and Trevor Elkins (an appointee of the regional mayors association) pushed for Calabrese’s ouster last month. The agreed-upon arrangement, however, is thought to be preferable to an outright termination, which would’ve have cost the agency a great deal of money without the benefit of Calabrese’s knowledge and guidance on his way out. If Calabrese hadn’t agreed to the deal, sources said, the board would have fired him.
This article appears in Aug 15-21, 2018.
So basically they hired someone that was part of the culture that makes RTA what it is today? Plus, they never bothered to interview all three people that they were considering? How does that even make sense? Every single person that applies for a job within an organization is interviewed, even if they have spent 20 years in the organization. Why push Calabreeze out if you are going to simply hire his protege? Why not look outside this failing agency for a new leader?
AND…No mention of his $160,000 base salary +10% internal promotion bonus! The taxpayers just continue getting ripped off again and again in this city…Oh, I cant wait for yet ANOTHER ma$$ive tax levy to be put on the ballot next year to make up for their constant mismanagement and ineptness!
Dr. Caver for years has been the best person in their Sr Management Team. He should of been CEO of RTA years ago. This is a good move.
Dr. Sheryl King Benford, the chief legal counsel should have been made the interim. She has the experience and poise for the job. But once again, a superior woman is passed over for a less qualified man. Less than a year ago, Caver was running a bus garage, then deputy for less than a year, and now CEO. He is absolutely not ready for the job. It’s a lot of money to pay someone for on the job training.