Brent Cagle - Interim CEO of Charlotte Area Transit System

Mr. Brent Cagle brings extensive experience in aviation and municipal management to his role in the City of Charlotte's City Manager’s Office. As of December 2023, he has taken on the responsibilities of Interim Chief Executive Officer CEO for the Charlotte Area Transit System CATS. Under his leadership, CATS continues to deliver essential transit services throughout Charlotte and its neighboring towns in Mecklenburg County.

Before his current tenure with the City Manager’s Office, Mr. Cagle expertly managed the Charlotte Douglas International Airport CLT as the Aviation Director. He joined the CLT team in February 2012, first contributing his expertise as the Airport Chief Financial Officer CFO, and then steering the airport as its CEO from July 2013.

Mr. Cagle’s career roots extend to the City of Phoenix, where he served as the CFO for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Additionally, he spent a decade honing his financial and budgeting skills in various roles within the Phoenix municipal framework.
Academically, Mr. Cagle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University, complemented by a Masters of Public Administration from Texas Tech University. His proficiency in airport administration is further endorsed by his status as a Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives. His robust background positions him as a stalwart leader, well-equipped to navigate the dynamic landscape of urban transit and municipal services.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's iHeartMedia's CEOs you should know. Today we talked transit
and transportation with CATS Charlotte Area Transit Systems CEO Brent Kegel.
A lot has changed over the years since the beginning
when it was just sort of buses. Now CATZ really
has a lot to offer in Charlotte.

Speaker 2 (00:17):
It was really nineteen ninety eight along abouts when the
sales tax, the first half cent sales tax dedicated to
transit was passed, and that was a watershed moment for
transit in the region. That brought us the Blue Line.
It helped us expand our bus our express services, also
brought us the Gold Line. Now we think about it
as a service, but it's almost like a necessity. Our

(00:41):
riders depend on CATS to get them to work, get
them to the doctor, to the grocery store. It's part
of their lives, helping them live their lives in the community,
and so it's essential. CATS already has in its fleet
thirty fully electric buses, zero emissions, and we continue to
upgrade technologies. We also have electric hybrid buses. Transit in

(01:04):
and of itself is environmentally friendly because it's pulling people,
single people out of one carb and is combining those trips,
and it's important to us.

Speaker 1 (01:13):
It's essential to all Charlotte Tans. And you know, Charlotte
is just such a great place and that's why you're here, right.

Speaker 2 (01:19):
I love Charlotte. It is truly a great community. I'm
not going anywhere because this is just a great community
to be a part of.

Speaker 1 (01:26):
Brent Kegel, CEO of cats On iHeartMedia's CEOs you should
know