Rock Region Metro Chief Financial Officer Wanda Crawford was named Tuesday as interim executive director of the agency, temporary filling the spot that will be vacated Friday by Jarod Varner.
Crawford, who has been with the agency for 27 years, will be paid $130,000 annualized during her temporary assignment, the board voted during its regular meeting Tuesday.
"Although we are going to miss Jarod, we intend to honor his legacy here at Metro by continuing to improve central Arkansas' public transit system with equal tenacity," Crawford said. "The board and staff can depend on the leaders here at Metro to not only shepherd day-to-day projects without pause but also support our next leader by advancing the vision of bringing modern public transit service to central Arkansas."
Crawford, a certified public accountant, is a graduate of Arkansas Tech University. Before joining Rock Region, Crawford was a senior internal auditor for Savers Federal Savings and Loan.
Varner, who is paid $140,000 annually, is leaving the agency Friday after four years in the top post to take a job with a national transit contracting and management company.
He replaced Betty Wineland, who retired after 25 years at the agency and after six years as executive director.
The board voted unanimously to advertise a request for proposals to hire an executive search team to find Varner's replacement.
During Varner's tenure, the agency launched initiatives including a new website and real-time arrival information system, began the transition to a compressed natural gas-powered bus fleet rather than diesel, launched a new website, and made free Wi-Fi service available on its buses and streetcars.
"We are so fortunate for the four years of leadership Jarod has given our community, and we're thrilled he will remain here in central Arkansas and continue to advocate for expanded public transit service in our region," Crawford said.
Board member Bentley Wallace told the personnel committee that it was important the executive staff play an integral role in the selection process.
Varner, 37, a graduate of Harding University in Searcy, will stay with his family in North Little Rock and will continue to be active in central Arkansas transit issues. He will be one of the incorporators of Arkansas for Modern Transportation, a new nonprofit organization devoted to promoting transit.
State Desk on 08/16/2017