The California Transit Training Consortium (CTTC) has appointed Mark Hollenbeck as Vice Chair of its Board of Directors. Hollenbeck brings over three decades of experience in the North American transit bus industry to the role, which comes at a pivotal moment as the sector undergoes rapid transformation driven by zero-emission mandates, emerging technologies, and evolving maintenance requirements.
The transit industry's accelerated adoption of battery-electric vehicles and evaluation of next-generation systems has created a growing need for effective technical training. This training must cover not only new zero-emission platforms and supporting infrastructure but also the sustainable power-drive solutions that many existing fleets continue to rely on. CTTC's mission focuses on helping members balance this transition by delivering training that supports cutting-edge technologies while strengthening foundational skills across alternative fuels and other lower-emission propulsion strategies.
Hollenbeck's career reflects the breadth of experience needed to guide this training evolution. He currently serves as Manager of Business Development at Complete Coach Works (CCW), where he partners with transit agencies across North America to deliver innovative and sustainable fleet solutions. His expertise spans full bus refurbishment, major and minor accident repair, leasing, used bus sales, and battery-electric bus conversions. Previously, Hollenbeck spent two decades with Bobit Business Media as Associate Publisher for School Bus Fleet and Metro Magazine before joining Proterra as West Coast Sales Director in 2020 to promote electric vehicle technology.
"As the industry accelerates toward zero-emission fleets and increasingly complex systems, training becomes a critical success factor," said Hollenbeck. "I'm honored to serve as Vice Chair and support CTTC's work to equip transit professionals with the skills and confidence to maintain, operate, and lead through change."
CTTC leadership emphasized that Hollenbeck's appointment will help strengthen collaboration across transit agencies, educational institutions, and industry partners. This collaboration is essential for developing training programs that keep pace with advancing technologies while addressing today's operational realities. The consortium's work extends beyond current professionals to support the next generation of technicians through the James A. Ditch Education Fund, which awarded $17,250 in scholarships to 12 California students this year alone.
The importance of this appointment lies in addressing a critical workforce challenge during a period of technological transformation. As transit agencies face increasing pressure to meet environmental mandates while maintaining reliable service, effective training becomes essential for operational success, safety, and cost management. CTTC's approach of balancing cutting-edge technology training with foundational skill development helps ensure that the transition to greener transportation doesn't compromise service quality or create workforce gaps. More information about CTTC's programs and initiatives is available at https://cttc.com.
