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OTTUMWA, IA -- Ottumwa City Council will be voting to approve the appointment of Diane Gawronski to the permanent position of transit director.

She would be replacing the interim transit director Mark Hagist whom has served for the past several months.

If the last name “Gawronski” sounds familiar, that is because her husband Larry is the executive director of the Bridgeview Center. So she is no stranger to Ottumwa.

“She was instrumental in helping to start the transit system in Vicksburg, Mississippi.  Then she has a lot of supervising management experience and a lot of public relations experience. So we're looking forward to her being able to use her P.R. skills to increase ridership,” says Ottumwa Human Resources Manger Joni Keith.

Keith believes Hagist to be a blessing because of the exceptional job he did when he stepped in as interim transit director.

“Everything is back on track. We're strictly in compliance again with all federal and state regulations. We're rebuilding the program,” said Keith.

The City Council will be holding their normal weekly meeting Tuesday at City Hall at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

CITY OF OTTUMWA – NEWS RELEASE- new transit director 3/16/2012

DATE: March 16, 2012 CONTACT:  Tom Rodgers, Public Information Officer  – 641 683-0669

 …FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE...

 City To Hire New Transit Director

The Ottumwa City Council will consider approval of a new Director for Ottumwa Transit at their March 20th Regular Meeting. Diane Gawronski is being recommended for appointment to the position, which oversees all operations of Ottumwa’s bus service.   She served as a board member in establishing a new transit system in Vicksburg, Mississippi.   Gawronski was previously employed as Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, Director of the Volunteer Auxiliary and Administrator of the Medical Foundation for the River Region Health System in Vicksburg, Mississippi.    She also was the Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Louisiana. 

 “I look forward to working with the Transit Board, the City Council and the riders of Ottumwa Transit.   Public transportation is such a vital part of any community; it is important that we move forward to strengthen our service here in Ottumwa.” said Gawronski.        

 Gawronski takes the helm from Mark Hagist, who served as the Interim Director of Ottumwa Transit since 2011 and was instrumental in maintaining local public transit services through the difficult period following a state investigation.    

 City Administrator Joe Helfenberger said, “We are certainly pleased to welcome Diane Gawronski to the City.   It is important that we recharge and revitalize our public transit system, and I feel Diane is well suited to the task.   In addition, we owe a great deal of thanks to Mark Hagist, who stepped up to get our transit service through a very uncertain time.”