BATA’s Board of Directors Selects Jeff Meilbeck as New Executive Director After Nationwide Search

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

 

DATE:            July 23, 2025

CONTACT:        Eric Lingaur lingaure@bata.net 231-933-5534 or 734-968-6210

                                   

 

BATA’s Board of Directors Selects Jeff Meilbeck as New Executive Director After Nationwide Search

 

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — The Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) is pleased to announce the selection of Jeff Meilbeck as its new Executive Director. Mr. Meilbeck is from Flagstaff, Ariz. and has more than 25 years of transit and municipal leadership experience. Chris Davis will continue to serve as BATA’s Interim Executive Director until Mr. Meilbeck’s official start date of October 1, 2025.

 

BATA’s Board of Directors completed an extensive nationwide search that started in December 2024 after BATA’s former Executive Director, Kelly Dunham, took a leadership position with 4Front Credit Union. The criteria BATA’s Board identified for the agency’s new leader was selective and included needing small urban transit agency and executive leadership experience. BATA received more than 100 applications for the position. The applicants were narrowed down to the top candidates and Mr. Meilbeck was interviewed in-person by the BATA Board during their June 2025 board meeting. Meilbeck will be paid an annual salary of $200,000.

 

“We’re excited to add Jeff’s leadership skills to the BATA Team,” said Wayne Schmidt, Chairman, BATA Board of Directors. “His experience will be valuable as BATA continues to grow and collaborates with our region’s new metropolitan planning organization.” Schmidt added, “The entire BATA Board would like to thank Chris Davis for her outstanding job serving as BATA’s Interim Executive Director these past few months as we completed this important process.”

 

“It’s been an honor to serve as BATA’s Interim Executive Director while the permanent Executive Director search was being conducted,” said Chris Davis, Interim Executive Director, BATA. “I appreciate the confidence the BATA Board of Directors has shown in me, and I look forward to working with Jeff when he joins our incredible, dedicated team here at BATA.”

 

Mr. Meilbeck has an extensive background well suited to serve as BATA’s Executive Director. His previous experience includes working as the CEO and General Manager of the Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority (NAIPTA) in Flagstaff and the Executive Director of MetroPlan, Flagstaff’s Metropolitan Planning Organization. He also worked as the Interim City Manager for the City of Flagstaff and numerous other public service roles. Meilbeck earned an undergraduate degree in Recreation Management from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and a Master’s in Public Administration from Northern Arizona University. Mr. Meilbeck has received multiple awards and recognitions including Transit Manager of the Year by the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) and the Small Urban Transit System of the Year by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

 

“It is an honor and privilege to serve as BATA’s new Executive Director,” said Jeff Meilbeck. “BATA provides essential services for the community, and I look forward to helping grow public transportation for the region while honoring BATA’s mission of improving lives by linking people and communities in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties.”

 

 

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About BATA  

The Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) provides more than 420,000 rides per year, connecting the residents and guests of Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties to work, school, shopping, recreational activities, and to each other. Services include dedicated routes and fixed stops within Traverse City (City Loop), regular service along the Bays (Bayline), regular connections to outlying communities (Village Loop), and on-demand transportation (Link.) For more information or help planning your trip, visit bata.net or call 231.941.2324.