Executive Team
Brandon Rapez-Betty
Interim Co-CEO & 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 Interim Co-CEO and 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.
Karl Otterstrom
Interim Co-CEO & Chief Planning and Development 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.
Tammy Johnston
INTERIM Chief Financial Officer
Tammy Johnston joined Spokane Transit in September 1999. She held many roles in her 25 years starting as the Accounts Payable Specialist and working up to the Senior Financial Services Manager where she has served STA for six years. Previously, she worked in the accounting department at Rosauers Supermarkets for several years.
A graduate of Eastern Washington University, Tammy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration – Professional Accounting.
Tammy has lived in the Spokane Valley for over 25 years, raising two children with her husband, Craig. She enjoys spending time with family and friends boating, golfing, and attending concerts and sporting events.
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.