Transit Industry Heavyweight Named Next Executive Director/CEO of AVTA

Lancaster – The Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) announced yesterday that Macy Neshati, currently Senior VP of Heavy Industries for BYD Coach and Bus, will become the next Executive Director/CEO of the transit agency. Neshati, whose tenure at AVTA will begin June 1st , will be taking over for current CEO Len Engel, who is retiring after six years at AVTA and over 40 years in the mass transit industry. “Macy Neshati is eminently qualified,” said Marvin Crist, Lancaster Vice Mayor and Chairman of the AVTA Board of Directors.

“Nobody knows more about electric buses than Macy, and I’m excited for the opportunity to continue AVTA’s groundbreaking work to deliver extraordinary service to the residents of the Antelope Valley.” Neshati has over 35 years of experience in the transit industry. As head of BYD America’s Heavy Industries division, Neshati oversaw the rapid growth of the company, and directly managed a factory with more than 700 employees.

BYD is the overwhelming industry leader in batteryelectric buses in North America, and Macy’s experience with transit industries has afforded him the ability to bring the best ideas and vision to AVTA. Like AVTA, Macy Neshati is personally committed to creating a clean, sustainable future. He recently joined the Board of the California Clean Air Coalition, becoming the only representative from the electric vehicle industry on the board. “I am honored to be taking the helm of such a forward-thinking agency that is charting a new future for sustainable transportation,” said Neshati.

“I look forward to serving the great people of the Antelope Valley.” AVTA provides local, commuter and dial-a-ride service to a population of more than 450,000 residents in the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale as well as the unincorporated portions of northern Los Angeles County.

Its total service area covers 1,200 square miles and it is bounded by the Kern County line to the north, the San Bernardino County line to the east, the Angeles National Forest to the south, and Interstate 5 to the West.