Ben Franklin Transit Board Names New Leadership

(Richland, WA) At a special board meeting this afternoon, the Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) Board of Directors met in executive session to discuss a personnel matter, specifically review of an investigation report and findings regarding complaints lodged against CEO Thomas Drotz. When they reconvened in open session, they voted unanimously to terminate his contract, without severance compensation.

Current Chief of Customer Experience Brian Lubanski will continue as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the transit agency indefinitely, a position he has held since Drozt was placed on administrative leave in early February. Lubanski has worked for the agency since 2023, when he was hired as Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications. He brings 33 years of management experience to the post.