Executive Team
About KAT Quick Links
Director of Transit
Isaac Thorne
Mr. Thorne joins Knoxville Area Transit after nearly 13 years with Connect Transit in Normal, Illinois, where he served as the Chief Executive Officer. Prior to serving as CEO, he served as Chief Operating Officer, Interim Transportation Director, Procurement Director and Operations Manager.
Mr. Thorne helped to transform Connect Transit into the 2015 American Public Transportation Association Outstanding Public Transit System of the Year. That same year, he was also named to the prestigious list of Mass Transit Top 40 Under 40.
Title: Director of Transit
Email: ithorne@katbus.com
Chief Administrative Officer
Pat Downs
Title: Chief Administrative Officer
Phone: 865-215-7831
Email: Pat Downs
Director of Maintenance
Chris Click
Chris joined KAT as a mechanic in 2011 and moved up through the ranks to Maintenance Supervisor in 2017, then Lead Supervisor in 2021. In March of 2023 he was named the Interim Director of Maintenance, and promoted to Director of Maintenance in October of 2023.
Chris earned his Associates degree in Diesel Powered Equipment Technology from Tennessee College of Applied Technology in 2011. He has placed in both student and professional maintenance competitions including the USASkills Championships in 2010, and the Tennessee Public Transportation Association Roadeo in 2017.
Title: Director of Maintenance
Phone: 865-215-7873
Email: Chris Click
Director of Human Resources
Cassie Ethington
Cassie Ethington joins KAT with almost 20 years of human resources experience in both the public and private sectors. She has successfully implemented employee development programs that increased retention rates by 15% and boosted employee satisfaction. At Job Corps centers, Cassie not only worked in HR but also assisted youth aged 16 to 24 in career services and took part with community outreach, helping over 500 students secure internships and job placements. Cassie holds a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York and is a certified member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
She believes in the power of community and the importance of creating inclusive work environments where everyone can thrive. She is excited to be part of the KAT bus team and looks forward to contributing to its continued success while building strong relationships with her colleagues and the community.
Title: Director of Human Resources
Phone: 865-215-7815
Email: Cassie Ethington
Director of Marketing
Becca James
Becca has over 15 years of marketing experience through radio broadcasting, where she helped develop and implement marketing strategies and promotional campaigns for clients in a variety of industries, while also hosting her own radio show. Most recently, you heard her on Star 102.1.
Becca earned her B.A. in Communications at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX.
Title: Director of Marketing
Phone: 865-215-7826
Email: Becca James
