Advance Transit Announces Appointment of New Executive Director, Teri Palmer

 

Advance Transit (AT), the nonprofit fare-free public transit provider serving communities in Vermont and New Hampshire, is excited to announce the appointment of Teri Palmer as its new Executive Director. Palmer will begin her role on January 19, 2026. 

 

The current Executive Director, Adams Carroll, will remain with Advance Transit through the end of February to ensure a smooth and thoughtful leadership transition.

 

Palmer joins Advance Transit following a comprehensive search led by the Advance Transit Board of Directors, with professional support from Mark Heyman, Founder and Consultant at HR Happens, and Paula Cope, President & CEO of Cope & Associates, Inc. The Board sought a dynamic, experienced leader with a strong commitment to public service and a forward-looking vision for accessibility and sustainability in transportation.

 

“We are thrilled to welcome Teri to Advance Transit,” said Rebecca Owens, President of Advance Transit’s Board of Directors. “Her adaptability, record of successful collaborations, and experience in transportation and mobility management—combined with her passion for community-centered service—makes her exceptionally suited to lead Advance Transit. She joins an all-star team, and the Board is excited for this next chapter.”

 

Palmer currently serves as New Hampshire’s Statewide Mobility Manager, where she works closely with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and the State Coordinating Council to ensure residents across the state have access to meaningful transportation options. Her career spans decades and reflects a deep commitment to operational excellence, training, and collaboration.

 

Palmer’s professional journey in transportation began in the 1990s when she joined the U.S. Army as a Heavy Wheel Vehicle Mechanic. In that role, she became well-versed in vehicle inventory management, preventative maintenance, and mission-critical operations. Over time, her responsibilities expanded to include tracking drivers and equipment and training soldiers—experience that shaped her strengths as an educator and leader.

 

Following her military service, Palmer built a diverse career that included roles in retail management, corrections, emergency dispatch, and banking, each with a strong focus on training, operations, and people management. She returned to the transportation field approximately five years ago, when she was selected to lead a rural public transportation agency in New Hampshire. There, she oversaw fixed-route and on-demand services, as well as a volunteer driver program, while collaborating closely with partners and stakeholders to link riders with the most effective mobility solutions. In this role, Palmer was instrumental in the development of a new public transit route connecting Lebanon with Claremont.

 

Reflecting on her new role, Palmer shared, “I’m honored to join Advance Transit at such an exciting moment. AT plays a crucial role in keeping our communities connected, and I’m eager to build on that strong foundation by strengthening partnerships, expanding access, and ensuring our services continue to meet the evolving needs of riders, especially for ‘last mile’ connectivity. My goal is to support a system that is welcoming, efficient, and responsive.”

 

As Executive Director, Palmer will lead Advance Transit’s mission to provide fare-free, accessible, and sustainable transportation that strengthens communities and expands opportunity throughout the Upper Valley.

Advance Transit extends its sincere gratitude to Adams Carroll for his leadership and dedication and looks forward to continued momentum under Palmer’s guidance.

 

Advance Transit is a nonprofit public transportation provider offering fare-free bus service to communities in Vermont and New Hampshire. AT is committed to providing accessible, reliable, and sustainable transportation that supports community connection, economic vitality, and environmental stewardship.

 

For more information, contact Trish Palao, Director of Marketing and Development, at tpalao@advancetransit.com or (802) 295-1824.