Salt Lake City – The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) named Patrick Preusser as its new chief operating officer (COO), effective June 3, 2024. Patrick succeeds Cherryl Beveridge, who is retiring on June 28 after a distinguished 45-year career with UTA.

“Patrick Preusser is a seasoned transit leader who is primed to lead UTA operations into an exciting innovative chapter of growth and service,” said Jay Fox, UTA executive director. “His extensive experience across all transit modes and his passion for connecting communities make him the ideal candidate to lead our operations as we move forward.”

As COO, Patrick will oversee critical UTA segments including bus, rail, special services, maintenance, fleet engineering and police, representing about 80 percent of the agency’s workforce.

Patrick brings more than 27 years of experience in the federal, municipal, and private transit sectors. Before joining UTA, he served as the Director of Rapid Transit in Honolulu, Hawaii, and the Executive Director of Transportation in Portland, Oregon. Patrick also held various leadership roles at the Saudi Railway Company, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority, and U.S. Department of Transportation. He began his transportation career at the Norfolk Southern Corporation, where he worked as a locomotive engineer and learned the business from the ground up.

A recognized leader in the transit industry, Patrick is known for his commitment to advancing innovative and sustainable transportation solutions. He enjoys working in regulated, complex, and dynamic transit environments. Patrick prioritizes building trust, fostering diversity and inclusion, and effectively navigating organizational change. His leadership has been recognized by the Secretary of Transportation for Excellence and Foreign Service and by Mass Transit Magazine as a Top 40 Under 40 North American Transit Leader. Patrick currently serves on the Federal Transit Administration’s Transit Advisory Committee for Safety.

Patrick holds master’s degrees in Public Administration and Transportation Management. He is also a certified Project Management Professional.

“I’m excited to join UTA and contribute to the agency’s mission of connecting communities and improving lives,” Patrick said. “Public transit has always been a personal passion, and I look forward to working with our dedicated UTA team to deliver exceptional service to the Wasatch region.” Patrick grew up riding public transit and is grateful for the opportunity to work in this industry. He and his family are enthusiastic about relocating to Utah. They were drawn to the state’s strong economy, natural beauty, and abundant outdoor recreation. In his free time, Patrick enjoys movies, basketball, hiking, mountain biking, and practicing Muay Thai.