BATON ROUGE – The committee in charge of the search for the new CATS CEO recommends hiring interim CEO William 'Bill' Deville for the position, the agency announced Wednesday. 

Deville took over the role as interim CEO earlier this year and has more than 32 years of experience in transportation. Deville is the former CEO of the Regional Transit Authority in New Orleans. Deville's 22-year-career with the RTA also included being budget director and chief financial officer. He also worked in FEMA's transitional recovery office in New Orleans.

Deville joined CATS in 2013 as the chief operating officer and project manager.

The CATS full board will take up Deville's appointment at its regularly scheduled board meeting set for Sept. 22.