Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA)

Interested in serving? Apply for a position.

Purpose

Promote transportation opportunities for all citizens within Richland County and a limited service area in Lexington County.

Meeting Schedule

Frequency: 4th Wednesday each month

Time: Noon

Location: 3613 Lucius Rd.

Duration: 2 hours (approximately)

Membership Details

Three representative members for three-year terms.

  • Two members are elected officials.
  • One member is a citizen.
  • Members shall not serve more than two consecutive terms; however, upon service of two consecutive terms a member may be eligible for reappointment after one year of non-service.

Preferred Qualities

  • Knowledge of transportation; finance services/management; governance, audit and/or operational risk assessment and management; grant and/or contract administration; communications/public relations; and legal.
  • Be able to devote, on average, 5-10 hours per month to attend Board meetings, standing committee meetings, and to review agenda materials;
  • Bring a broad range of knowledge and depth of experience from their chosen business or profession, as well as an understanding of the principles and values of the COMET and the communities it serves;
  • Possess a fundamental understanding of their role and responsibility to the Board. The members’ primary responsibility is to act at all times in the best interests of the COMET, the Board, staff and serviced communities;
  • Possess integrity, be willing to articulate his/her views frankly, be able to work productively with others, and have the ability and willingness to commit the time and effort required;
  • Represent the interest of their appointing body while endeavoring to achieve regional consensus;
  • Fiduciary responsibility to vote for the best interests of the region and not those or their appointing body;
  • Able to work cooperatively in a multi-jurisdictional setting;
  • Able to attend Board and standing committee meetings consistently;
  • Responsible for informing their respective jurisdictions of key issues, facilitating communication between those entities and the COMET, and helping build consensus;
  • Participate in the COMET Leadership Academy;
  • Provide value and expertise on improving transportation and mobility within the region.
  • A core knowledge of the transportation sector, and the concepts, principles and values of the COMET;
  • Ability to act without a real or perceived conflict of interest that could reasonably be perceived to conflict with the individual’s responsibility to act in the best interests of the Board;
  • Stature in the individual’s chosen business or profession, or community involvement;
  • Willingness to ask probing questions and challenge management within the appropriate governance context;
  • Ability to operate “as a team” at the Board level and “speak with one voice” once a full discussion has been undertaken and a decision has been made by the Board;
  • Ability to review and examine budgets to ensure projected expenses and income are realistically comprehensive and assess the implications of financial and audit reports;
  • Ability to bring a perspective of external business, social and regional issues to the deliberations of the Board;
  • Ability to use tact, discretion and sound independent judgment;
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
  • High ethical standards;
  • Willingness to adhere to protocols and policies regarding staff and personnel operations and communications;
  • A commitment to continuous learning to maintain a knowledge of potential changes and trends facing the future of the COMET and transportation industry, best practices and policies (via webinars, local, regional and national conferences);
  • An understanding of governance and the fiduciary duties and responsibilities of both a Board of Directors as well as of individual members (in particular – a comfort level with the principles of the by-laws under which the Board operates); and
  • Ability to provide leadership, strategic direction and oversight.

Member Mission and Commitment:

  • Willingness to make a real contribution to the COMET and the communities it serves;
  • Commitment to the COMET strategic objectives, vision, mission and values;
  • Willingness to participate in COMET related activities including utilizing the transportation services provided by the COMET, such as occasionally riding the bus;
  • Willingness to act in the best interests of the COMET and the communities it serves independently of any particular interest arising as a result of any previous, existing or future relationship with the COMET staff, Board of Directors, or the suppliers; and
  • Willingness to stay informed, available, and engaged as well as to attend meetings and represent the Board or its interests in the public.

Council Appointments

  • Allison Terracio
  • Tish Dozier Alleyne

Current Members

Roosevelt Barnwell (1st Term)
Appointment: March 19, 2024
Reappointment: March 19, 2027

Contact

Maurice Pearl, Executive Director/CEO
mpearl@thecometsc.gov
803-255-7087

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