Julia Roberts, Executive Director of Western Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE), has left WAVE to pursue a new chapter at the Regional Transit Authority (RTA). Marie Gress, CEO and Founder of Kovir Consulting will be the Interim Executive Director.
Kim Moore, WAVE Board President, commented, “We thank Julia for her three years of service, particularly during a very difficult COVID Pandemic. The transition will continue through an anticipated three-six-month search for a permanent candidate. Julia was able to solidify the start of a new era for WAVE that includes a broader, more inclusive, ridership campaign. She updated our organizational goals including a fresh new look to reflect the next iteration of WAVE. We are pleased to have Marie Gress on board. She has a background in social work, management, leadership, and public transportation. Marie brings an abundance of experience to this role.”
Gress ran the transportation service from grants to dispatch and still supports the Milan Seniors for Healthy Living (MSHL). She has acted as interim Executive Director at the Dexter Senior Center, where she led the search for an Executive Director and provided training and coaching to the new hire. Her leadership with the Washtenaw County Commission on Aging and Washtenaw County Healthy Aging Collaborative has resulted in system changes and financial support to the sector, including raising concerns and solutions to transportation in the county. She has collaborated with AAA 1-B and Oakland County outside the region to facilitate discussions with transportation providers to obtain county ARPA funding and support.
The WAVE provides affordable, safe transportation for everyone in the Dexter and Chelsea Communities, including Scio, Webster, Lima, Lyndon, and Sylvan, Townships, Stockbridge, and Manchester. You can ride anywhere in WAVE’s service area within western Washtenaw County for $7 or less. Fares range from free, to 50 cents, up to a maximum of $20. Contact WAVE to learn more – at 734-475-9494 or www.ridethewavebus.org.
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Since 1976, Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express has operated as a non-profit service organization that exists to provide affordable transportation to everyone in the greater western Washtenaw County. In 2022, WAVE provided transportation for 20,000 rides over 300,000 miles.
