Ohio Public Transit Association | Leadership

Mr. Howard Stewart has more than eight years of experience as the Transit Director and Board Secretary/Treasurer of South East Area Transit (SEAT). SEAT is a three-county public transportation system serving  Muskingum, Guernsey, and Noble County in Ohio.  He is responsible for ensuring safe, efficient, affordable public transportation to meet the citizens' needs who desire to use the SEAT services.  Before joining South East Area Transit, Mr. Stewart worked as the Executive Director of a small non-profit that provided daily programs, and community needs to adults and youth in Zanesville, Ohio. Mr. Stewart holds a degree from Findlay College, has 30 years of experience collaborating with local government, businesses, and human service agencies to better the community.

Ben Ziff is the Mobility Coordinator at HAPCAP, overseeing the
Mobility Management program for Athens & Hocking Counties. Having worked as a Paramedic, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor, coffee shop manager, and City Councilor before this position, Ben has had the chance to see just how crucial reliable transportation is for a community to thrive. Despite having an unorthodox background for someone in transportation, there is no other field he would rather work in.  Being given the opportunity by his friends, neighbors, and members of the community to help advocate for them on a statewide level is something he is deeply grateful for.

Laura Koprowski brings more than 25 years of public transit and transportation leadership to her role as Chief Executive Officer of the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA). A Toledo native, Laura returned home in April 2020 after serving as Executive Director of the Ohio Public Transit Association, and previously holding senior leadership roles

at the Central Ohio Transit Authority and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC).

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Under her leadership, TARTA has undergone a period of significant transformation. She led the redesign and expansion of services that have resulted in a 100% increase in ridership since 2020. Laura also guided the successful passage of Issue 12, transitioning TARTA’s local funding from a property tax to a sales tax, which has strengthened the agency’s financial foundation and positioned it for sustainable growth.

Mr. Andy Volenik is the Executive Director for Delaware County Transit, the transportation and mobility option provider for Delaware County's residents and businesses. Mr. Volenik is responsible for leading his dynamic team and in growing the transportation solutions and mobility options within Delaware County. Mr. Volenik started his career in transportation over 15 years ago as a bus operator at the Central Ohio Transit Authority and has worked various roles within the public sector.

Mary Habig started her Transit Career in 1992 as the Director of a very small county-operated transit system in South Eastern Ohio.  After 9 years, she ventured out of the small transit community and into the For-Profit Transit World for 10 years.  Habig stated, "Though I have enjoyed many aspects of the For-Profit Transit companies, I felt the need to go back to the non-profit transit system. Even though there are more struggles with non-profits, non-profits seem to care more about the service they provide." In 2014, Habig returned to Ohio and assumed the position as the Director of North Central Area Transit. In 2017, North Central Area Transit, NCAT, expanded their service area to include Crawford County.  The agency’s name is now:  North Central Area Transit, NCAT. Habig is in her 28th year of Transit Management and smiles when she looks back and remembers all the great people she’s met throughout the years.  “Seven States, Hundreds of Employees, Thousands of Tears, and Millions of Smiles because of Transit I’d do it all over again!"

Laura Koprowski brings more than 25 years of public transit and transportation leadership to her role as Chief Executive Officer of the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA). A Toledo native, Laura returned home in April 2020 after serving as Executive Director of the Ohio Public Transit Association, and previously holding senior leadership roles

at the Central Ohio Transit Authority and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC).

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Under her leadership, TARTA has undergone a period of significant transformation. She led the redesign and expansion of services that have resulted in a 100% increase in ridership since 2020. Laura also guided the successful passage of Issue 12, transitioning TARTA’s local funding from a property tax to a sales tax, which has strengthened the agency’s financial foundation and positioned it for sustainable growth.