Sisters woman honored for transportation work

During the recent Oregon Public Transportation Conference in Pendleton, COIC Executive Director Karen Friend was honored with the prestigious award of 2017 Outstanding Public Transportation Manager in Oregon.

Karen led the creation of the Central Oregon public transit system Cascades East Transit (CET) back in 2008. She has also served in leadership capacities within COIC for 21 years, most recently as transportation manager, deputy director, and now executive director. She has demonstrated organizational excellence and expertise in finance and transportation, as well as providing a wealth of knowledge and stability for COIC, CET and the Cascades East Ride Center (CERC). Karen is also a tireless advocate for state and regional transportation improvement, funding and partnerships as a member of the Oregon Transit Association Board of Directors and Oregon Public Transportation Advisory Committee.

Recently hired COIC Transportation Manager Michelle Rhoads was thrilled with the selection of Friend for this award. She stated, "Karen is well deserving of this high honor due to her vision, passion, commitment and tireless efforts that have led to a positive and lasting difference for public transportation in Oregon, and especially Central Oregon."

Thanks to Friend's leadership, Central Oregon's public transportation system is well positioned to support Central Oregon's top priorities and to preserve community livability in the coming years as regional demographics change, population continues its upward trajectory, the economy continues to diversify and grow, and higher education continues to expand at Central Oregon Community College and the OSU-Cascades campuses.