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
Jacob Schramm
As Director of Human Resources at Knoxville Area Transit, Mr. Schramm brings over eight years of experience in human resources, operations, and strategic planning. He has held key HR and business operations roles at the University of Tennessee and Success Academy Charter Schools, enhancing hiring processes, talent development, and employee engagement.
In addition to his HR expertise, Mr. Schramm serves as an operations officer in the Marine Corps Reserve, overseeing supply operations and leadership development. He holds an MBA from the University of Tennessee, Martin, and a Master’s in Educational Policy from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Title: Director of Human Resources
Phone: 865-215-7815
Email: Jacob Schramm
Director of Operations
Bobby Edwards
As Director of Operations at Knoxville Area Transit, Mr. Edwards brings over 16 years of experience in the transit industry. Before joining KAT, Bobby held leadership roles at Hillsborough Area Regional Transit, Hampton Roads Transit, and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, where he spearheaded innovative workforce strategies, safety initiatives, and operational improvements.
Bobby holds an MBA from Saint Leo University and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. He is also an alumnus of the ENO Senior Executive Leadership Program and has served on the Virginia Region Advisory Council for the Donald R. Tapia School of Business.
Mr. Edwards is committed to delivering efficient, safe, and customer-focused transit solutions while fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered here at Knoxville Area Transit.
Title: Director of Operations
Phone: 865-215-7829
Email: Bobby Edwards
