A county employee since 2001, she previously held positions in the Planning and Development Services Department
Jane Grogg has been named director of Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT), effective immediately, after serving in the role in an interim capacity since January, the county announced on Oct. 22.
Grogg has been an employee of the county since 2001, working in various positions in the Planning and Development Services Department, including roles in the Long Range Planning and Neighborhood Services divisions, a news release notes.
A native of Indiana, Grogg earned a bachelor’s degree in urban planning from Ball State University, the release adds.
County Administrator Jonathan Lewis said Grogg’s experience, planning background and long-time dedication to public service made her the ideal choice to lead SCAT, the release noted.
“Jane is the perfect fit to guide our transit system,” Lewis said in the release. “She has proven to be a collaborative, thoughtful and strategic presence while serving as the interim director, and proved herself as a leader.”
For Grogg, being selected for the position is not only an honor but also an opportunity to help bring innovation to public transit, the release continued.
As public transportation systems evolve, so too must local governments, as evidenced by the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners’ approval this week of the SCAT Mobility Services Plan, Grogg pointed out in the release.
“I’m looking forward to implementing the new services that were supported by the County Commission, while building on our successes,” Grogg added in the release. “Our goal is to continue providing the highest quality service, while offering new transit choices to the community.”
Grogg was named interim director of SCAT after Rob Lewis, director of intergovernmental relations for the county, held the position on an interim basis. Lewis’ service in that role followed the Oct. 4, 2017 voluntary resignation of SCAT Director Rocky Burke, who began working for the county in December 2014.
Lewis also oversees county economic development initiatives, which had prompted Commissioner Nancy Detert to voice concern on several occasions about his being overworked, though she also praised his management of SCAT.