Dr. Floun’say Caver joined the Executive team as Chief Operating Officer / Deputy General Manager - Operations in 2017, with more than 15 years of experience at GCRTA. He currently leads over 2000 employees and manages a $220 million annual budget with focus and ingenuity. A change agent, he skillfully navigates implementing innovative programs to improve the system, while enhancing management practices.
PREVIOUS STOPS
Dr. Caver graduated Magna Cum Laude with his Bachelor’s from Hiram College, his Master’s from Cleveland State University, and his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Caver earned a Certificate in Operational Excellence from Case Western Reserve University, and graduated from the Leadership Cleveland, Cohort of 2017.
Dr. Caver has led throughout the GCRTA for over 15 years. He first boarded as Budget Management Analyst in 2000, before returning to GCRTA as Manager of Budgets in 2006. During his tenure, he designed and implemented TransitStat, an industry-best performance management program. His next destination was Director of Service Quality Management in 2009, before taking his seat as Director of the Hayden Bus District in 2012. There, he maintained TransitStat and implemented an industry-best predictive maintenance program to increase fleet vehicle reliability. In 2017, he was appointed Assistant to the Deputy General Manager - Operations by the CEO and Deputy General Manager. In 2018, Dr. Caver was appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Secretary-Treasurer, where he led the agency through a series of critical studies, termed “Pillar Studies”, which informed the agency’s 10-year Strategic Plan.
Since 2000, Dr. Caver has shared his time with academic institutions across the country. He began as an Instructor at Cleveland State University, became an Assistant Professor at The University of Texas at Dallas in 2005, and presently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Ohio University.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Dr. Caver served as Vice Chair on the Governor-appointed East Cleveland Financial Supervisory Commission. He is an active Board Member for Cleveland State University College of Urban Affairs Visiting Committee, and for Cleveland Neighborhood Progress. He stays connected to Cleveland’s youth as a Sports Volunteer at Hawken School.
For his continued service to the Cleveland Community, Cleveland State University honored Dr. Caver with the Outstanding Fellow Award in 2009, and Distinguished Alumni Award in 2015. Crain’s Cleveland Business and Transit Magazine recognized him in their "40 Under 40" lists for his outstanding contributions to transit and GCRTA.