Dr. Floun'say Caver has had 13 years of diverse experience at the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA), previously serving as COO/Deputy General Manager-Operations since October 2017. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Management from Hiram College (Magna Cum Laude), a Masters of Public Administration from the Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University, and a Ph.D. in Public Affairs with a concentration in Public Management from the Universityof Texas at Dallas. His many successes at RTA include:

• Creation of an industry-leading performance management program, TransitStat.
• Development of a consulting focused budget department.
• Joint venture consulting with Bombardier on rail system improvement.
• Ushered in data-driven decision-making, using TransitMaster data for on-time performance goals attainment.
• Implementation of Predictive Maintenance program.
• Creation of a targeted management development program.

As Deputy General Manager, Operations, he was responsible for an annual budget of $218 million, and more than 2,000 employees in these areas.

• Asset and Configuration Management
• Bus Districts at Hayden and Triskett
• Fleet Management
• Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Department
• Paratransit District
• Rail District
• Service Management
• Service Quality and the Integrated Communications Center (ICC)
• Transit Police

RTA experience

• 2000-2002, Budget Management Analyst, Office of Management & Budget. Controlled approximately $60 million in operating budgets, including RTA's largest two departments -- Fleet Management and Rail.
• 2006-2009, After time away to pursue a doctorate, re-joined RTA as Manager of Budgets. Created TransitStat, a performance management strategy that saved RTA more than $60 million in six years. Directed productivity teams with performance gains of up to 80 percent.
• 2006-2017, Successfully managed some of RTA’s most critical departments, including the Budget Office, the Hayden bus district and the Service Quality “traffic control” Department, where he supervised the 24/7 delivery of all bus and rail services to more than 200,000 customers each weekday.
• 2009-2012, Director, Service Quality Management. Managed a $6 million budget. Supervised 67 central control (bus and rail) professionals and field supervisors. Responsible for on-road supervision of bus, rail, and Paratransit modes, accident coverage, safety culture, and timely service.
• 2012-2017, Director, Hayden Bus District. Managed a $42 million budget, 600 employees and 224 buses. Administered the performance and discipline for the District, including union grievances. Actively managed district performance with timely, accurate and actionable data.
• Oct. 1, 2017, Named Deputy General Manager Operations.

Non-RTA experience

• 2001, 2002, 2007, Part-time Instructor,  Masters of Public Administration Program, Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University.
• 2005-2006, Assistant Professor of Public Administration. Instructed Masters of Public Administration courses in Public Administration, Management and Quantitative Reasoning, The University of Texas at Dallas,
• 2009-2016, Adjunct Professor of Masters of Public Administration Program. Instructed course Performance Management for Public and Not-For-Profit Organizations, Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, Ohio University, Athens, OH.

Honors

• 2017, Cleveland Leadership Class
• 2015, Distinguished Alumni Award, Cleveland State University
• 2009, "40 Under 40," Transit Professionals, Mass Transit Magazine
• 2009, Outstanding Fellow, Leadership Academy, Cleveland State University
• 2007, "40 Under 40," Crain's Cleveland Business
• 2000, William Roland Hopkins Award, Outstanding Master of Public Administration Student, Cleveland State University

Civic Board Involvement

Community

• Board Member, Collaborative to End Human Trafficking
• Advisor/Volunteer, Salvation Army-East Cleveland Corp.
• Youth Coach, Hawken School
• Former Vice Chair, East Cleveland Financial Supervisory Commission

Professional

• Past Board Member/Past Treasurer, Collaborative to End Human Trafficking
• Advisor and Volunteer, Salvation Army-East Cleveland Corp.
• Youth Coach, Hawken School
• Former Vice Chair, East Cleveland Financial Supervisory Commiss8on
  (Gov. Kasich appointed)
• Member, APTA
• Past President, NE Ohio Chapter, Conference of Minority Transportation Officials
• Alumni, Leadership Cleveland class of 2017
• Member, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Updated February, 2021