Ë®¹ûÅÉAV

Brian Schultz, who served as CEO since August 2020, had been on leave since Oct. 16. He notified the board of "serious health issues impacting his continued employment with the authority," according to a news release from Centro. 

The board of directors approved a mutual separation agreement that "recognizes Mr. Schultz's personal circumstances while maintaining the authority's responsibility to the public interest," Centro said. 

Schultz was chair of the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority's board, which oversees Centro, before he was appointed CEO nearly four years ago. He led the agency through the COVID-19 pandemic, which was challenging for transit authorities across New York. 

"We recognize Brian Schultz for his years of service and his management of the organization especially through the pandemic. We wish him the best," said Nicholas Laino, chairman of the authority's board of directors. 

With Schultz's departure, a search will be conducted for his successor. For now, Christopher Tuff — Centro's deputy CEO — will lead day-to-day operations. 

Tuff has been employed with Centro for more than eight years, including the last three as deputy CEO. He began leading the authority when Schultz went on leave in October. 

"(Tuff) has exhibited strong leadership overseeing a wide range of projects at Centro including bus design and purchases, alternative propulsion systems, labor relations, employee recognition and retention programs," Laino said. "He also possesses strong financial and compliance skills, important characteristics in leading a public transit authority." 

The search for a new CEO for Centro comes at an important time in central New York. The Interstate 81 project is moving forward in Syracuse, while the Micron project is in its infancy. 

Centro provides bus services in Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga and Oswego counties. The agency has 667 employees and transports 11 million passengers annually, according to its website.