NORFOLK, Va. – Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) has named a new transit leader to its executive team.
Karen Kitsis is the new Chief Planning and Development Officer, succeeding Ray Amoruso, who retired after 16 years at HRT and 44 years in transit nationwide.
“This addition to our senior leadership team exemplifies talent and dedication to transit, our customers and our communities,” said William E. Harrell, President and CEO. “As we welcome Karen, we also salute Mr. Amoruso for his contributions to HRT and the industry, and we congratulate him on a well-deserved retirement.”
Amoruso led HRT’s planning and development initiatives that introduced The Tide light rail; regional 757 Express bus service; Base Express, a service for sailors at Naval Station Norfolk; and OnDemand ridesharing. He worked in transit planning for projects in New York City, Denver, Atlanta, Portland, Newark, Detroit, San Diego.
Karen Kitsis returns to HRT
Kitsis oversees the department responsible for the planning and scheduling of transit services, the long-range development of high-capacity systems, customer service and data analytics. Her team continually refines HRT’s local and express bus services and works with the six city partners to plan and enhance transit.
A Hampton Roads native, Kitsis previously served as the Deputy Commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Transportation and had 10 years of experience at Sound Transit in Seattle, Wash., including as Deputy Executive Director for Capital Project Development.
She has also worked in Virginia for the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission and as an industry consultant. This is her second time with HRT, having served as a transit development officer from 2008-2012.
Kitsis holds a master’s degree in urban planning from UCLA and is a certified planner through the American Planning Association. She also serves on the WTS International Board of Directors.
Karen Kitsis, HRT’s Chief Planning & Development Officer.
Photo courtesy Hampton Roads Transit.
About HRT
HRT’s mission is to connect Hampton Roads with transportation solutions that are reliable, safe, efficient and sustainable. For more information on transit services, visit gohrt.com.
Media contact:
Thomas Becher, APR
Manager, Communications
Cell: (757) 354-0564
tbecher@hrtransit.org
January 21, 2026