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functionality for safety , advanced telematics , analytics , and a mobile app for drivers and fleet managers . All vehicles will be compliant with the Federal Transit Administration ’ s “ Buy America ” and the Federal Aviation Administration ’ s “ Buy American ” guidelines . “ We decided to work with Lightning eMotors after several years of extensive research because of their market and technology leadership in the commercial EV segment ,” said David Wright , president of Forest River ’ s bus divisions . “ I was especially impressed after visiting their manufacturing facility in Colorado , driving their vehicles , and talking to their customers . It is clear why Lightning eMotors is at the forefront of fleet electrification . We ’ ll be providing our customers with a factoryinstalled electric powertrain that has proven technology relied upon by major fleets , at a price point no one else has been able to achieve . We believe this will be a game changer for shuttle-bus operators .” Kash Sethi , chief revenue officer of Lightning eMotors , said that the partnership between the companies is important for several reasons . “ Transit agencies and other shuttle operators , including airports , parking lots , hotels , and corporate and university campuses , have had an increasing selection of options for large full-size electric buses ,” Sethi said . “ However , supply for medium-duty electric buses has been limited to smaller EV companies working with regional dealerships to retrofit buses . This model has proven to be neither cost-efficient nor scalable . Now , Forest River is demonstrating it will continue being the leader in the commercial bus market by offering sustainable zeroemission buses as part of their core product portfolio . We believe that will greatly improve the availability of premium-quality , cost-effective electric buses . We look forward to working with Forest River , and their dealer network , in leading the industry through this transformation .” Forest River ’ s 100-plus bus dealership locations throughout the U . S . and Canada will have the opportunity to sell and service these vehicles . Manufacturing of Forest River Lightning EV shuttles has already begun , and Forest River expects to deliver several dozens of the new electric shuttle buses to its dealerships by the end of this year . Lightning eMotors ’ charging division , Lightning Energy , will offer a comprehensive suite of charging and charging infrastructure related products and services to Forest River dealers and shuttlebus operators .
TARTA welcomes Richard Cowart and John Jones
The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority ( TARTA ) is pleased to welcome Richard Cowart as director of operations and John Jones as director of maintenance . Cowart comes to TARTA after serving as general manager of First Transit in Fort Bend County , Texas . He also oversaw the Bus Safety Department for the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County in the Houston area , and has
Richard Cowart , TARTA over 11 years of experience in public and
Director of Operations private transportation . “ As director of operations , we needed somebody who not only understands the vision we have for this agency , but has the skills necessary to help make that vision a reality ,” said TARTA Chief Operations Officer Charles Odimgbe . “ Richard is driven to not only improve on where we are now , but to make TARTA a 21st century organization that everyone looks to .”
John Jones , TARTA Director of Maintenance
“ Richard is someone who is hungry and is willing to learn ,” he continued . “ He ’ s also someone who will question and challenge what ’ s become the ‘ norm ,’ and push that organization to be better than it has been .” Jones brings 26 years of public and school transportation experience to TARTA , most recently as executive director of the Casper Area Transportation Coalition in Wyoming . He was also director of Charlottesville Area Transit in Virginia for six years and served as transit director for Summit Stage in Summit County , Colorado and for Medina County Public Transit in Ohio . “ Maintenance is one of the biggest challenges we face here at TARTA , and to address that you need someone with a wealth of experience and someone who understands how maintenance ties to operations and other areas to fit into the broader rider experience ,” Odimgbe said . “ John brings all of that and more to us . His experience gives him a unique skill set , but he ’ s also someone who can see beyond the day-today of maintenance and sees how maintenance and operations play a role in building a bright the future for this organization .” TARTA is excited to welcome the contributions of Cowart and Jones as it pushes to become the modern , sophisticated public transit system serving seven communities in the northwest Ohio region . With the latest hire for these two critical positions at TARTA , the organization has assembled a new management team of transit industry professionals from around the country .
Indiana Automotive Equipment fully transitions to new ownership
Indiana Automotive Equipment ( IAE ), a full-line sales and service company for the light and heavy-duty automotive industry , announced it has fully transitioned leadership from Shane and Amber Tatom to Christopher Susott , a corporate finance executive who will lead strategic and day-today operations . Shane and Amber Tatom purchased the Hancock County company from Robert
Christopher Susott and Mary Chastain . Under their nineyear leadership , IAE grew exponentially , increasing from an initial staff of two to 20 employees . Christopher Susott purchased the company from the Tatoms in September 2020 . A plan was established for Susott to spend approximately one year observing , learning and implementing new strategies while Shane Tatom served as general manager . Feeling that a successful foundation for transition has been established , Amber Tatom retired last month , and Shane Tatom will retire in September . IAE currently employs 24 people . “ We are proud of the business we built together , particularly the deep friendships we developed with our customers ,” Shane Tatom said . “ Our customers became our friends , and knew they could count on us for more than business-related issues . By retiring now , we are leaving our company in good hands , allowing us to move on to the many things we enjoy , like spending time with our family and traveling .” “ We are fortunate we found a partner in Chris ,” Tatom continued , “ who shares our vision and our commitment to customer service .”
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