Dawn Distler is a 35-year veteran of the public transportation industry. She began her career as a bus operator at METRO before being promoted to SCAT Operations Manager, and later, Assistant Director of Customer Services. After serving 17 years at METRO, Dawn headed south to join the leadership team at Davidson Transit Organization in Nashville, TN. She later became the Director of Transit for the City of Knoxville, TN, where she led the organization to win the 2017 American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) Outstanding Transit System Award. Dawn returned to METRO to serve as CEO in 2018, and continues to champion equitable transportation as an essential service. Dawn also serves on the leadership team for the Ohio Public Transit Association (OPTA) and is a member of APTA’s Board of Directors.