Executive Team
Karl Otterstrom
Chief Executive Officer
A native of Spokane, Karl Otterstrom joined Spokane Transit’s executive team in January 2009. Before joining Spokane Transit, Karl was a transportation planner with King County Metro with expertise in grants, long-range planning, and bus rapid transit. He also held various professional positions, including work experience with the Federal Transit Administration.
Karl graduated from Eastern Washington University, majoring in urban and regional planning. He received a Master of Urban Planning degree from the University of Washington and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. He has been involved in several Spokane community efforts over the years including eight years as a board member of the University District Development Association inclusive of two years as the association’s chairman of the board.
Karl’s first date with his wife, Kate, was in Seattle on a mild November Saturday, where they explored downtown and the waterfront by foot, streetcar, and trolleybus. They are pleased to be in Spokane raising their family.
Brandon Rapez-Betty
Chief Operations Officer
Brandon Rapez-Betty has been with Spokane Transit for nearly a decade and has served on the Executive Team since 2018. As Chief Operations Officer, he oversees the delivery of STA’s transportation services and manages more than 500 employees across four operational departments.
Before his current role, Brandon served as STA’s Chief Communications & Customer Service Officer, leading efforts to enhance public engagement and improve the customer experience. He holds a master’s degree in Urban & Regional Planning from Eastern Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in International Studies & Spanish Language from the University of Idaho.
Brandon is an avid extrovert who enjoys serving on community boards and participating in local events. However, his greatest joy is spending time home with his husband and son, Victor and Johnny, as well as their two beloved rescue dogs.
Robert Hamud
Chief Financial Officer
Robert joined Spokane Transit as Chief Financial Officer in August 2025, bringing with him over two decades of public service and government consulting experience. Prior to STA, he served in Finance Director and CFO roles for the cities of Issaquah and Snoqualmie, Washington, as well as Cascade County, Montana. He has also worked as a budget analyst for public assistance programs at the State of Montana.
In his role at STA, Robert oversees finance, records, and purchasing operations, manages the agency’s annual budget and audits, and leads long-range fiscal planning efforts. He has consulted with numerous local governments across the West on fiscal sustainability, offering expertise in financial analysis and long-term forecasting.
Robert earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Utah, specializing in Local Government and Environmental Policy, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Government from California State University, Sacramento. He enjoys spending time outdoors in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains and regularly travels with his wife to her native Brazil—the birthplace of Bus Rapid Transit.
Kade Peterson
Chief Information Officer
Kade Peterson joined Spokane Transit in May 2022, bringing over 25 years of executive and senior-level leadership experience in information technology and operations. As the head of STA’s Information Technology team, he is responsible for enhancing the delivery of technology solutions and services that benefit both the Agency and its riders. Before joining STA, Kade served as Chief Information Officer (CIO) at First Interstate Bank and also led Operations and Technology at Sterling Bank. Since arriving at STA, he has implemented technology governance frameworks, guiding solution acquisition and implementation, cybersecurity initiatives, and data utilization.
Kade holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Weber State University. Outside of work, he enjoys fly fishing, mountain biking, and spending quality time with his wife and grandchildren.
Nancy Williams
Chief Human Resources Officer
Nancy Williams joined Spokane Transit in March 2017. Previously, she worked at Embassy Management as the Chief Human Resources Officer for three years. Before her work at Embassy Management, she spent 18 years working for Safeway, Inc. as the Regional Human Resources Manager in the Seattle and Spokane areas.
Nancy is a graduate of the University of Washington, and through her dedication to the profession, earned her Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification in 2010 and SHRM-SCP in 2015.
Nancy and her husband, Mike, have lived in Spokane for over 20 years. They are kept busy attending their two daughters’ various sporting events and enjoy spending much of their free time hiking and skiing in the mountains.
Carly Cortright
Chief Communications and Customer Service Officer
Carly Cortright joined Spokane Transit in August 2022 after 19 years with the City of Spokane. While at the City, she was responsible for designing and implementing the City’s centralized customer service program, 311, and other customer experience initiatives related to community engagement, including special events and volunteerism.
Carly earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from Gonzaga University, a Master’s in Public Administration from Eastern Washington University, and a PhD in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Washington State University.
Carly is a graduate of Leadership Spokane and served as Chair of the Leadership Spokane Board of Directors. She has also held leadership positions on the Northeast Youth Center and Spokane Arts boards.
Emily Poole
Interim Chief Planning & Development Officer
Emily S. Poole joined STA in January 2024 and in her current role, she oversees long range planning, fixed route network design, grant application and administration, and capital design and construction. Previously, Emily served as the Principal Transit Planner and Service Development Manager at STA, responsible for fixed route service planning and scheduling.
Prior to joining STA, Emily served successfully for two decades in the United States Army and held increasing positions of responsibility and leadership in transportation, supply chain management, and maintenance management, ending her tenure in sustainment operations at a national level.
Emily holds a Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington University and a Master’s Degree in Legislative Affairs from The George Washington University. A native of Spokane, Emily, her husband Will, and their five children have chosen to once again call Spokane home.
Andrew Casper
Deputy Chief Operations Officer
Andrew Casper joined Spokane Transit as Deputy Chief of Operations with a strong background in leading large-scale transportation, logistics, and operational initiatives across both military and public service sectors. In his role, Andrew supports the delivery of safe, reliable transit by advancing data-driven process improvements, strengthening performance management systems, and championing workforce development.
Prior to joining STA, Andrew served in senior leadership roles in the United States Air Force, where he gained extensive experience in strategic planning, team leadership, and operational excellence. He holds a Master’s degree in Instructional Systems Design from Purdue University, a Master’s in Information Technology Management, and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science. He is also certified in Six Sigma.
Andrew and his wife, Eva, relocated to Spokane after many years of global military assignments. They quickly fell in love with the region’s natural beauty and sense of community. As avid outdoor enthusiasts, they enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, and exploring all four seasons across Eastern Washington and North Idaho.
Dana Infalt
Clerk of the Authority
Dana Infalt joined STA in 2010 as an administrative assistant in the Paratransit Department, later supporting Maintenance and Facilities & Grounds. Her strong work ethic and leadership led to a promotion as Executive Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer, and in 2019, she assumed her current role overseeing executive functions and board governance in the CEO office.
With extensive experience in business management and operations, Dana previously managed an 800-acre ranch in Missouri and co-owned a structural steel erection company in California. A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, she brings strategic operational expertise to STA. She and her husband, Tom, have a blended family of seven children.