Executive Team

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

Pat has spent many years in public transportation including Nashville MTA, State Road & Tollway Authority, Georgia Department of Transportation, Birmingham, and most recently as a consultant for the Federal Transit Administration conducting transit agency reviews, state comprehensive reviews, and procurement system reviews. She will oversee Finance, Grants, Procurement, Human Resources, and Marketing in her role as Chief Administrative Officer.

Title: Chief Administrative Officer
Phone: 865-215-7831
Email: Pat Downs

Dana Baker brings over 30 years of results-driven management experience in the transit industry. She began her career as a front-line employee with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and quickly rose through the ranks to executive leadership. Then in 2017, she moved to Florida to take on the role of Chief Operating Officer at LYNX Transit in Orlando.

Her expertise spans operations, maintenance, paratransit, bus training, safety, and bus planning. A dedicated servant leader, Dana strives to build agency morale while fostering a culture of safety. She is passionate about developing future transit leaders and has established herself as a highly respected leader within the industry.

Title: Chief Operations Officer
Phone: 865-215-7801
Email: Dana Baker