On May 24, the Capital Metro board of directors announced Deputy CEO Dottie Watkins will become the interim CEO of the regional transit authority.

“The board has worked with Dottie for a long time, and we know that she’s behind a lot of success at CapMetro,” said Jeffrey Travillion, Travis County commissioner and Capital Metro board chairman, in a news release.

President and CEO Randy Clarke announced earlier in May that he will be assuming the position of general manager and CEO of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Watkins will take over his role this summer.

“I fully support the board’s decision to name Dottie as the interim CEO of CapMetro,” Clarke said in the release.

Watkins has been with Capital Metro since 1994 when she started as a part-time bus operator. Working her way up the ranks, Watkins has served as deputy CEO, chief operating officer and vice president of bus and paratransit services.

“I’m honored to be given this opportunity to lead the great staff at this agency,” Watkins said. “I know the value that transit plays within Central Texas, and it’s important that we keep building on the trust we have with community members and our workforce and continue to provide safe and reliable transit for everyone in the region.”

The board of directors also approved a national search to fill the position long-term at its May 23 board meeting. Tawaun Cole, Capital Metro public information officer, said there is not a set timeline as to when the position will be filled long-term.

“Just because they are conducting a national search does not exclude Dottie from being in consideration for the full-time position,” Cole told Community Impact Newspaper. “It just means that they’re also going to look outside as well.”