BATON ROUGE - Eleven people are scheduled to be interviewed next week by the search committee looking for the next CEO of the Capital Area Transit System.

The former CEO resigned earlier this year, in protest of constant negativity about the bus system from the public.  Bob Mirabito wrote in his resignation letter, he did not have the energy to fight what has been an uphill battle being the public face of the bus system. Click HERE to read more about his resignation and read his resignation letter.

CATS is often criticized by riders and taxpayers.  The bus system is funded with a controversial property tax and people argue the system is antiquated. 

Among the eleven candidates seeking to be the next CEO are two with area connections: interim CEO William Deville and Southern graduate Wlifred Beal.  Beal now lives in Michigan where he runs a transit consulting business.  He worked with the bankrupt Detroit city government with its public transit needs recently, he wrote in a letter announcing his interest to the search committee.

Seventeen people applied for the position, which could pay nearly $175,000.  Eleven were selected as finalists.

Others include Stephen Banta, Jonathan Davis, Albert Eby, Barbara Hayes, Ivan Maldonado, James Perez, James Price, Ramond Robinson and Michael Stewman.

The candidates are current or former high-level managers at transit systems from Virginia to California.  

Interviews are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

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