WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Advance Transit’s board of directors has hired a new executive director to lead the nonprofit organization that provides free bus service in the Upper Valley.
Teri Palmer, of Unity, will begin her new role on Monday, Jan. 19, according to a news release from Advance Transit, which is based in White River Junction.
“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,” Palmer said in the release, referring to how riders get to their final destinations from Advance Transit’s bus stops.
Advance Transit, which runs a fare-free bus service Monday through Saturday, provided passengers with more than 774,000 rides from July 2024 to June 2025, according to its most recent impact report. The nonprofit has 12 routes in Hartford, Norwich, Hanover, Lebanon, Enfield and Canaan. It has 65 employees.
The board conducted a nationwide search for the position and 41 people applied, Trish Palao, director of marketing and development, wrote in an email. The board’s search committee interviewed five semifinalists before selecting Palmer.
Palmer is currently employed as New Hampshire’s statewide mobility manager at RLS & Associates, an Ohio-based transportation management and consulting firm. In that post, she works with staff at the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and the State Coordinating Council for Community Transportation, which helps residents find access to transportation in their communities.
“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,” Advance Transit board president Rebecca Owens said in the release.
Palmer will replace Adams Carroll, who announced his plans to resign last August due to personal reasons. Carroll, who has led Advance Transit since 2022, will remain at AT through the end of February to assist Palmer during the leadership transition, according to the release.