Capital Metro CEO and leadership

Dottie Watkins leads the team responsible for Bus, Demand Response, Rail and Vanpool services, as well as the Information Technology, Capital Construction and Facility Management functions of the agency.

Dottie first began her transit career in 1994 driving buses part-time while she attended the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to her appointment as CCO/COO, Dottie served as Vice President, Bus Operations and Maintenance and was responsible for all aspects of the agency's contracted bus operations through active monitoring of service quality and contract compliance.

Dottie holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Texas and a Master of Business Administration from St. Edward’s University. . A native Austinite, Dottie regularly enjoys trips to the pool with her daughter and plays French Horn in a local community band.

Catherine Walker joined Capital Metro in 2021 and is responsible for the financial planning, budgeting and accounting functions, the IT department, risk management, grants administration, the Transit Store, treasury and investments.

Catherine has more than 20 years of experience in finance and operations leadership roles, the majority of her career spent in the private sector. She has a Master’s of Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, a B.S. in Business Economics and Public Policy, and a B.A. in Spanish, both from Indiana University. Catherine is also a Six Sigma Black Belt.

Catherine lives in Austin and spends her free time with her husband and three young children camping in state and national parks and golfing. She has served on the Board for YMCA of Austin since 2019 and is active with her local Cub Scout Pack.

Gardner Tabon has served the industry he has come to love, globally, for over 34 years. Gardner has been in his current role since July 2018, and is responsible for the research, development, implementation, and management of all corporate, commuter rail, bus, demand response and construction safety, emergency management and public safety-related programs and initiatives.

As a part of an industry-wide leadership role and demonstration of his overall commitment to safety and security excellence, he serves as the American Public Transportation Association’s Commuter Rail Safety and Security Subcommittee chair.

He is a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers, National Fire Protection Association and World Safety Organization. He is certified by the World Safety Organization as a certified safety executive and holds a USDOT-required Transit Safety and Security Program or TSSP certification.

Kerri Butcher joined Capital Metro in 2007 and previously served as Capital Metro’s Chief Legal Counsel from 2009-2021. She has concurrently served as the Chief of Staff and External Affairs since 2018. Her current duties include responsibility for leading the Executive Office, Strategic Planning, Performance Management, Legal, Government Affairs and Board of Directors functions.

Prior to joining Capital Metro in 2007, Kerri served as the Chief of Staff to a senior member of the Texas House of Representatives for almost ten years. She earned her J.D. from the University of Texas and a B.A. from Austin College, in Sherman, Texas. Kerri lives with her husband and two young, energetic boys in Austin.

Brian Carter is an EVP, Chief Experience & Engagement Officer at Capital Metro.