Loftus likely out as CATS board chairman on Tuesday

A change in the executive leadership of the CATS board is likely Tuesday when the transit system’s board of directors elects new officers at its regular monthly meeting. Sources tell Daily Report that Chairman Jared Loftus does not have the support of a majority of the board to be re-elected to his current position and that Isaiah Marshall will be selected by the board’s nominating committee for the position. Marshall confirms he expects the nomination and says he believes he has the votes. Loftus declined to comment. A change in leadership could have implications for how the CATS board proceeds with the findings of a consultant that last month recommended the agency replace its top management with outside experts. A review of the contract of CATS CEO Brian Marshall—who is not related to Isaiah Marshall—which is currently month-to-month, is also on the agenda. A CATS committee today recommended that the board not take up the contract issue, Isaiah Marshall says, because “it’s not a good time and we have too many other things going on right now.” He declined to elaborate. Loftus, however, says he will recommend that the board take up Brian Marshall’s contract. “I feel it is necessary we address his contract,” says Loftus. “I don’t know how we can expect a man who is on a month-to-month contract to deal with an agency that is about to double in size.” —Stephanie Riegel