Utah Transit Authority names Jay Fox as its new executive director

Source: Utah Transit Authority

The Utah Transit Authority last week named Jay Fox as its new executive director, replacing Carolyn Gonot, who left earlier this year to take the CEO position at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in San Jose, Calif.

The selection of Fox follows a national search to find an experienced transit industry professional to lead UTA forward at this dynamic time.

“Fox’s breadth of experience in the transit industry is extensive, including rail development and operations, procurement, grant programs, environmental planning, regulatory compliance, and more,” said Carlton Christensen, UTA Board of Trustees Chair. “His experience at both transit agencies and the federal government will be a tremendous asset to UTA.”

Fox comes to UTA from SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) in Philadelphia, where he has served as Deputy General Counsel since July 2019. His role at SEPTA involved directing all corporate legal matters regarding planning, operations, procurement, legislative affairs, and regulatory compliance. He was the agency’s legal lead for SEPTA’s $1.2 billion King of Prussia rail project and SEPTA’s Trolley Modernization program.

Prior to his work at SEPTA, Fox served as the Senior Director, Host Railroads for AMTRAK, where he coordinated with 30 host railroads and was involved in securing grant funding for transit and passenger improvements.

From 2010 to 2017, Fox worked for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), serving both as Acting Assistant Chief Counsel for Regional Operations and as Regional Counsel in FTA’s Region 3 office. Prior to his work at FTA, Fox spent almost 10 years with the Federal Aviation Administration.

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