Executive Team
Susan Meyer
Chief Executive Officer
Susan Meyer is the Chief Executive Officer of Spokane Transit Authority in Spokane, Washington, a position she’s held since 2005.
Susan earned an undergraduate degree in psychology and a master’s degree in business (MBA) from Eastern Washington University.
Susan is a committee vice chair of the APTA BRT Council and is a member of several others. She also serves on the TOPS committee which recommends transit-related research projects (TCRP) for federal funding.
At the state level Susan was recently appointed by the Secretary of Transportation to the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board which distributes nearly $100 million annually for transportation projects. She is the immediate past President of the Washington State Transit Association.
Susan’s local civic work includes serving on the Spokane Mayor’s Economic Roundtable; Downtown Spokane Partnership Board; Spokane Regional Transportation Council Board; Dean’s Advisory Board at the EWU College of Business & Public Administration; and the Honorary Commanders’ Program at Fairchild Air Force Base.
Brandon Rapez-Betty
Chief Operations Officer
Brandon Rapez-Betty was promoted to serve on the Executive Team in September of 2018 after filling the Interim Director position for a short period. He has been with the agency since March of 2014, and in that time has played an integral role in developing strategies to increase ridership and to communicate effectively with the public. He helped lead an award-winning public education campaign for the successful transit ballot measure that passed in 2016.
Brandon has a Master’s degree in Urban & Regional Planning from Eastern Washington University, and a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies & Spanish Language from the University of Idaho. He also served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic from 2005-2007.
Monique Liard
Chief Financial Officer
Monique Liard has served as Spokane Transit’s Chief Financial Officer since October 2019 when her husband and she relocated to Coeur d’Alene to enjoy the quality of life in this beautiful region.
Monique’s responsibilities include the operations and activities of finance and accounting, purchasing and contract compliance, and information technology for the agency.
Monique has more than 30 years of finance experience in diverse industries spanning manufacturing, non-profit, real estate and service companies and has served as a CFO for nearly 15 years, providing high integrity and value-added leadership to the organizations she has served.
Karl Otterstrom
Chief Planning and Development Officer
A native of Spokane, Karl Otterstrom joined Spokane Transit’s executive team in January 2009. Prior to joining Spokane Transit was a transportation planner with King County Metro with expertise in grants, long range planning and bus rapid transit. Prior to his work at King County, he held various professional positions, including work experience with the Federal Transit Administration.
Karl graduated from Eastern Washington University, majoring in urban and regional planning. He received a Master of Urban Planning degree from the University of Washington and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. He has been involved in a number of Spokane community efforts over the years including eight years as a board member of the University District Development Association inclusive of two years as the association’s chairman of the board.
Karl’s first date with his wife, Kate, was in Seattle on a mild November Saturday, where they explored downtown and the waterfront by foot, streetcar and trolleybus. They are pleased to be in Spokane as they raise their young family.
Nancy Williams
Chief Human Resources Officer
Nancy Williams joined Spokane Transit in March, 2017. Previously, she worked at Embassy Management, where she was the Chief Human Resources Officer for three years. Prior to her work at Embassy, she spent 18 years working for Safeway, Inc. as the Regional Human Resources Manager in the Seattle and Spokane areas.
Nancy is a graduate of the University of Washington, and through her dedication to the profession, earned her Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification in 2010 and SHRM-SCP in 2015.
Nancy and her husband, Mike, have lived in Spokane for over 20 years. They are kept busy attending their two daughters’ various sporting events, and enjoy spending a great deal of their free time hiking and skiing in the mountains.
Carly Cortright
Chief Communication and Customer Service Officer
Carly Cortright joined Spokane Transit in August 2022 after 19 years with the City of Spokane. While at the City, she was responsible for designing and implementing the City’s centralized customer service program, 311, and other customer experience initiatives related to community engagement, including special events and volunteerism.
Carly earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from Gonzaga University, a Master’s in Public Administration from Eastern Washington University, and a PhD in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Washington State University.
Carly is a graduate of Leadership Spokane and served as Chair of the Leadership Spokane Board of Directors. She has also held leadership positions on the Northeast Youth Center and Spokane Arts boards.
