Heather Barnum
Chief Communications Officer
Heather safeguards and strengthens the reputation of UTA through integrated, strategic communications. A seasoned professional, she excels in managing projects and leveraging relationships across sectors. With a focus on improving lives, Heather has navigated crises, shaped behaviors, and led successful campaigns for nearly 30 years. Her experience includes roles in social services, transportation, higher education, and the nonprofit sector. As Communications and Partnership Director with the State of Utah’s Department of Health and Human Services, she received a gubernatorial commendation for her work as the state’s coronavirus public campaign manager in 2020 and Media Professional of the Year by the Utah PIO Association. She serves on national boards for APTA's Marketing and Communications Committee, the MPact National Steering Committee, and is a past president of the Public Relations Society of America Greater Salt Lake Chapter. Heather earned degrees in Spanish, public relations, and public administration and an Accreditation in Public Relations.

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Nichol Bourdeaux
Chief Planning & Engagement Officer
With 20 years of experience in public administration, Ms. Bourdeaux has made a significant impact in her roles. As the UTA Planning and Engagement Officer, she has been instrumental in enhancing the departments of Community Engagement, Customer Experience, Customer Service, Innovative Mobility Solutions, and Planning. Previously, Ms. Bourdeaux was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Ralph Becker in Salt Lake City and the Deputy Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development for Salt Lake City Corporation. She began her career working for sporting and news affiliates. Her passion for sports led her to join the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, where she was the entertainment and leisure coordinator for the Athlete’s Village. In 2022, Ms. Bourdeaux received the “Woman of the Year Award” from the Women’s Transportation Seminar Utah Northern Chapter for her transformational work in transit in the Wasatch Front. She serves on the Utah Museums Advisory Board and the Utah College of Social and Behavioral Science Advancement Board. She holds a BA in Communications and an MPA from the University of Utah.

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Alisha Garrett
Chief Enterprise Strategy Officer
Alisha designs, delivers, and implements work that facilitates the alignment and integration of UTA’s people, processes, technology, leadership, and priorities. She leads the agency’s strategy deployment, driving organizational excellence through connecting people with purpose. Her focus and passion center on creating an amazing experience for UTA employees and the communities they serve every day. Alisha received a bachelor’s degree in international business and a master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance and organizational culture. She possesses multiple certificates in strategy, enhancing team dynamics, culture, and engagement techniques. She is a graduate of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Leadership Program and was included in Mass Transit Magazine’s Top 40 under 40 for her industry contributions and impact. Alisha is a Shingo Alumni and has supported and partnered with the Shingo Institute.

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Ann Green-Barton
Chief People Officer
Ann Green-Barton is a strategic leader committed to fostering a positive and engaged workforce. Before stepping into her current role, Ann led UTA’s Total Rewards department, overseeing employee benefits, compensation, wellness, and drug and alcohol programs. She has a proven track record in various human resources functions, including employee relations, compliance, and organizational development. Ann is passionate about creating a workplace where employees feel valued and empowered. She is dedicated to driving initiatives that enhance employee experience, improving operational efficiency, and aligning strategies with UTA’s overall business objectives. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Communications and Psychology from Westminster University.

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David Hancock
Chief Capital Services Officer
Dave oversees UTA capital programs and projects, including the agency’s current $1.3 billion, 10-year capital plan. He provides strategic leadership for the following departments: Real Estate & Transit-Oriented Communities, Capital Programming & Support, Capital Design & Construction, Capital Vehicles, and Environment and Sustainability. Dave brings to UTA many years of experience as a senior leader in capital development, capital construction, capital asset management. Prior to UTA, he worked as a program management consultant and as a project manager for a large civil construction contractor. Dave earned a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Utah, completed the American Public Transportation Association of Leadership program, and is a registered professional engineer in Utah.

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Viola Miller
Chief Financial Officer
Vi is a key advisor to the UTA Executive Director and Board of Trustees on developing financial resiliency to meet the agency’s strategic and transformational goals. The departments under her leadership include Accounting, Accounts Payable/Receivable, Budget, Claims and Insurance, Fares, Grants, Payroll, Supply Chain, and Treasury. Vi is a certified Public Funds Investment Manager Prior to joining UTA, Vi served as the Operating Budget Senior Director at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, as well as the Operating Budget Deputy Director at the District of Columbia Office of Budget and Planning. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgetown University, and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Maryland, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration from the Smeal school of business at Pennsylvania State University. Vi is a board member of the Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum where she serves on the executive committee. Vi is also the recipient of a Trailblazing Women in Public Finance award (2024).

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Patrick Preusser
Chief Operating Officer
Patrick leads bus, rail, special services, operations, maintenance, fleet engineering, and police — representing about 80% of UTA’s workforce. He is a passionate, forward-thinking leader who brings more than 28 years of transportation experience in fixed-route bus, rail, and paratransit services, with success advancing safety, operations, maintenance, and customer service. Before joining UTA, Patrick served as the Director of Rapid Transit in Honolulu, Hawai`i, where he led the daily business activities across the department for fixed-route bus, rail, and paratransit, including the commencement of passenger service on the nation’s first driverless metro. Prior to his work in Honolulu, Patrick was the Executive Director of Transportation in Portland, Oregon. He led the Transportation Division, which included fixed-route bus, light rail, streetcar, commuter rail, paratransit, schedule making, resource planning, and contracted services. He has also held leadership roles at the Saudi Railway Company, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority, and U.S. Department of Transportation. Patrick holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in transportation management from the University of Denver. He is a certified Project Management Professional from the Project Management Institute and was selected for Mass Transit Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40.”

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Kim Shanklin
Chief of Staff
Kim Shanklin began her career in human resources at UTA, then spent several years with Dallas Area Rapid Transit, managing its day-to-day human resources functions. She returned to UTA in 2007 to manage labor relations and performance improvement and was promoted as Chief People Officer in January 2017. Shanklin has extensive experience working in a public transit environment, applying continuous improvement strategies, and working with public transit unions. She has strong experience designing human resources strategies in staffing, benefits and retirement, training, talent management, Equal Employment Opportunity, and organizational development. She served as the chair of the labor relations subcommittee of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) from 2010 to 2017 and completed APTA’s leadership development program. She has served on the board of the Transit Labor Exchange as the financial secretary and treasurer since 2016. She holds a master’s degree in public administration, with an emphasis in human resources management, from the University of Utah.

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David Wilkins
Assistant Attorney General
David is an employee of the Utah Office of the Attorney General, where he serves as director of the transit law section, a component unit of the office’s tax and financial services division. In this role, David leads the team that provides legal services to UTA. David personally works in a variety of areas, including employment, labor, public governance, regulatory law, and legislative issues. Serving as an AAG since 2015, David previously served as litigation counsel to the Utah Labor Commission. A native of Kentucky, David holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University, a master’s degree from the University of Louisville, and a Juris Doctor from Saint Louis University School of Law. David volunteers his time as pro bono General Counsel for the HeritageRail Alliance, Inc., the trade group for tourist railroads and railway museums in the United States and Canada. There, David chairs the HRA’s Regulatory Committee and serves as an alternate member to the Federal Railroad Association’s Rail Safety Advisory Committee.

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