Transportation veteran takes over top spot as search gets under way for permanent replacement
ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) board announced today that Jim Kenan, executive director of finance and administration and long-time veteran of the transportation field, has been named interim chief executive officer.
Kenan will take over as the board begins searching for a permanent replacement for Art Leahy, who leaves on Friday, March 27, after eight years to head the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
As OCTA’s executive director of finance and administration Kenan directs and manages OCTA’s financial and administrative services, treasury/public finance, information technology services and contracting activities for the OCTA. He also is responsible for the management of the 91 Express Lanes.
Since 1990, he has coordinated the issuance of over $2.5 billion in taxable and tax-exempt securities including sales tax revenue bonds, variable rate debt bonds and taxable and tax-exempt commercial paper.
“Jim’s knowledge, experience and leadership skills have been a tremendous asset to OCTA and the people of Orange County,” said OCTA Chairman Peter Buffa. “I have complete confidence that Jim will successfully steer this agency as we work to overcome challenges and continue trying to improve our critical transportation systems.”
Kenan has been with OCTA since 1979. Prior to that, Kenan headed internal audits for the Orange County Auditor-Controller’s office. He was a key member of the transition team that successfully brought about the consolidation of seven government entities to become OCTA in June 1991.
A certified government financial manager, Kenan earned his master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from California State University, Fullerton.
