The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority’s (TARTA) ongoing commitment to connecting northwest Ohioans to jobs, education and community resources was recognized this week by the Ohio Public Transit Association (OPTA), as two members of its leadership team received prestigious statewide honors.
During Thursday’s awards luncheon at OPTA’s Best of the Midwest Transit Conference & Expo, TARTA CEO Laura Koprowski was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Community Affairs Manager Kwinlyn Tyler was named an Under 40 Rising Star.
A Career Dedicated to Advancing Public Transit
Koprowski, who has led TARTA since 2021, brings more than 25 years of transportation leadership experience to the organization. Before joining TARTA, she served as Executive Director of OPTA and held key leadership roles with the Central Ohio Regional Transit Authority and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission.
Since stepping into her role at TARTA, she has guided the agency through transformational changes, including:
- Expansion of TARTA’s service area
- A successful ballot initiative to modernize the agency’s funding structure
- Launch of TARTA Flex, the region’s on-demand transportation service
- Significant increases in ridership, employee retention and customer satisfaction
Her leadership has helped position TARTA as a modern, customer-focused mobility provider and a key asset for economic development in northwest Ohio.
A Rising Star in Community Impact
Tyler joined TARTA in March 2024 as the agency’s first Community Affairs Manager, following her work as a Project Manager with the Lucas County Department of Planning and Development. In less than two years, she has built robust community partnerships, expanded TARTA’s presence at events and strengthened engagement with government entities and local businesses.
One of her most notable achievements is the growth of TARTA’s Youth Summer Blast Pass, which provides free rides for youth ages 6–19 from the end of the school year through August 31. Under Tyler’s leadership, ridership for the program has increased by 56% since its first year—helping more young people access summer jobs, recreation and learning opportunities.
At the conference, Tyler also shared her expertise during an educational session titled “Tell One Story: Aligning Marketing Strategy With Government Relations Advocacy for Greater Impact.”
TARTA Expertise on Display
TARTA was well-represented throughout the Best of the Midwest Conference:
- Dr. Lee Gibson, Talent Acquisition Manager, will present “Driving Results: High Impact Strategies for Recruiting & Retaining Bus Operators.”
- Rick Bailey, Deputy CEO, and Kali Sawaya, Transit Planning Project Manager, will participate in a panel on “Workforce Mobility: Early Lessons & Strategies.”
About OPTA
The Ohio Public Transit Association represents 63 transit agencies across the state, advocating for increased transit funding, supporting economic growth, and improving mobility for millions of Ohioans who rely on public transportation.
For more information, visit TARTA.
