Who We Are
KL2 Connects is a boutique executive search firm that caters exclusively to the American public transit industry on a retained basis. We pride ourselves on the positive and lasting relationships we have built over almost 20 years with our client agencies and candidates. Our goal is to find the right fit for each organization that contributes to our industry and the talent within it.
All KL2 principals are veterans of the transit industry, having served in public transit organization CEO or C-suite positions for many years. We know the unique needs of the transit industry - from the regulatory and funding environment to the operational issues and public engagement considerations that must be part of any successful transit executive's portfolio. We remember that the candidates are our peers, and we treat them with the respect they deserve.
What We Do
Working with public transit agencies, we place qualified and well-suited-for-the-organization executives in positions from Chief Executive Officer and other C-suite positions to Vice Presidents, Directors, and Senior Managers. We conduct national searches, advertising in numerous industry publications for maximum exposure; provide thoroughly researched information; maintain the appropriate confidentiality and discretion; and produce diverse, competitive, and timely applicant pools for your consideration. We even assist with customized vetting depending on the desired skill set as well as contract negotiation and on-boarding. For candidates, we provide honest feedback and career coaching, recognizing that each individual can be a potential asset for right job in the right place at the right time. We know the industry; we know the candidates; and we know what to look for. We don't stop until we have found the right fit in which both our client and the candidate are pleased with the outcome.
1 industry
2 transit execs on every search
3 APTA Hall of Fame honorees on our Advisory Board
4 regional offices
70 client agencies
250 years experience
275 searches completed
- 40% minorities and women
Our Team
Christian T. Kent
Dr. Robert Babbitt
Kristen Joyner
Jeff Popovich
Managing Principal
Nearly 40 years of transit industry experience, 12 as a senior executive at WMATA; 8 years as President & CEO of Transit Management Consulting. Maintains a strong presence in several industry trade associations including APTA and COMTO. In APTA, Christian is now serving his fourth term on the Board of Directors; chairs APTA's Membership Committee; and was recently appointed to APTA's Business Member Board of Governors. He is a graduate of Leadership APTA (2003) and a 2012 recipient of APTA's Innovation Award. Christian also served on the COMTO Board of Directors. He is also a graduate of Eno Transit Executive Program and co-author of the 2020 anthology, The Future of Public Transportation. Christian holds a master's degree from the University of Virginia and is an adjunct professor for the National Transit Institute at Rutgers University.
Principal
Nearly 50 years of transit industry experience; former transit system GM (Nashville MTA); team leader; national consultant; conference/ committee participant and speaker; former president TN Public Transportation Association; Urban Transit GM of the Year (TN, 2001); PhD (Administration), CPA, BA (Political Science); member of APTA (8 committees), SWTA, TTA, KPTA, FPTA, ATA, CalACT; executive, author, instructor, moderator, speaker, editor.
Principal
Twelve years as Executive Director South West Transit Association; 3 as Executive Administrative Assistant, Central AR Transit Authority; Founder of KJ Backpack LLC (connecting exceptional trainers to transit professionals); developed curricula (Hiring and Retaining Great Transit Employees, Leadership for Transit, Silver Bullets for Transit Supervisor Success; developed Transit Leadership Recognition Initiative For Human Trafficking Awareness; initiated Operations Vets In Public Transportation; member of Secretary of Transportation's Advisory Council on Transportation, Human Trafficking; APTA Board Member (2010-2012); Chair, APTA Training and Technical Assistance Sub-Committee; member, APTA CEO Search Task Force and APTA Intergovernmental Relations, Legislative, Marketing, Mobility Management, Small Ops, Access, and State Affairs committees.
Principal
Ten years as APTA’s Chief Information Officer; member, APTA Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee; Chair, APTA LGBT Task Force; peer reviewer for public transit agencies of various sizes and complexity; coordinator of programs through APTA’s Transit Cooperative Research Program; graduate of APTA Executive Leadership Program; expert at applying IT and database management strategies to executive recruiting; 10 years as Project Manager and IT consultant for Ernst & Young, KPMG; led technology departments; involved with non-profits such as FirstBook.org; Bachelor’s (Park University), Master’s (Florida Institute of Technology).
Representative Clients
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