Oliva Steps Down as CATA Executive Director

Louwana Oliva has resigned after nine years as Centre Area Transportation Authority executive director and CEO to take another job, according to a release from the Centre County public transportation agency on Friday.

“I have been so pleased to work with CATA’s dedicated and innovative team of employees as we have navigated through good times and more recent times that could only be described as unprecedented,” Oliva said in a statement. “Leading CATA and serving this community has been an honor and I thank the CATA board for that opportunity.”

Before her appointment as executive director/CEO, Oliva was CATA’s assistant general manager for four years.

CATA did not indicate where Oliva had accepted another position and a spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The release stated she would “continue serving the transportation industry” in her new job.

During Oliva’s tenure, CATA completed a $32 million facility expansion in 2018; launched the CATA Go microtransit service that now reaches seven of eight service municipalities; and oversaw the integration of CATA Commute into the authority’s services to provide for carpool and vanpool ride matching services and additional programs for long-distance commuters into the State College area.

She also led CATA through the unexpected challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, most notably an extended period of decreased ridership and staffing shortages.

“During her time at CATA, Louwana has led the Authority’s involvement in numerous projects that will have a long lasting impact on the organization,” according to the release. “The CATA board and staff wishes Louwana the best luck in her future endeavors.”

The CATA Board of Directors accepted Oliva’s resignation on Monday and has appointed David Rishel to serve as interim executive director and CEO for up to one year.

Rishel is a nationally recognized expert in the public transportation industry who has worked with dozens of transit authorities. Prior to Oliva’s resignation, the CATA board had already engaged Rishel to provide strategic consulting services for planning the future of the authority and its services.

Former CATA General Manager Hugh Mose and Director of Information Services Eric Bernier, both long-time veterans of the authority, also have agreed to return on a temporary basis to serve as part-time special advisors reporting directly to Rishel.