Senior Management

*Interim CEO & President

As General Counsel, Byron Smith oversees the legal functions of GoTriangle. Byron, a graduate of NC Central University School of Law and a Johnston County native, has extensive legal experience in transportation, serving as general counsel at the Maryland Transit Administration and lead negotiator for numerous transit projects.

At MTA, Byron drafted operating and access agreements between MTA and its host railroads, Amtrak and CSXT. In earlier years, Smith also worked as deputy counsel in the Maryland Office of Attorney General and as assistant attorney general at MTA and for the Maryland Port Administration.

Byron began his legal career as an associate attorney general in the North Carolina Department of Justice. He came to GoTriangle from Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell LLP in Washington, D.C. As a partner there, Byron practiced in the rail, transit, highways, infrastructure, private-public partnerships, project delivery and litigation groups. He has acted as lead counsel on transit development projects, assuming responsibility for and leading teams of legal, engineering, finance and other professionals in the development of procurement, design and implementation of significant infrastructure projects.

Byron also is a former partner in Thigpen, Blue, Stephens and Fellers in Raleigh. He received a bachelors’ degree in political science and his juris doctorate from NC Central University in Durham.

Scott Thomas is the Executive Vice President, providing strategic leadership and administrative oversight for GoTriangle’s operational, development and corporate support services. He also oversees external agency initiatives and manages strategic partnership programs.

Before joining GoTriangle, Scott worked more than 11 years with Granville Health System, an independent community health system. In his last role as Chief Innovation Officer, he led system efforts to drive the vision and development of programs related to communications, operations, human resources, employee engagement and business development for the health system and foundation. In addition to CIO responsibilities, he continued to serve and build strong relationships with state and local government leaders as the organization’s Government Affairs and Public Information Officer. Prior to GHS, Scott worked for the State Health Plan, University Conference Services and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from California State University.

As the Chief People and Diversity Officer, Sharon Chavis oversees the Department of Human Resources and Diversity Management (HRDM) at GoTriangle. Her main objective is to ensure that everyone has equal access to employment, transit services, contracting, and other opportunities offered by the agency.

Sharon joined GoTriangle in 2019 as the Wake Transit Program Coordinator, and in 2021 she served as the Chief of Staff to the CEO. Before her employment with GoTriangle, she held leadership positions at Saint Augustine's University and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). At Saint Augustine's University, Sharon was the Chief of Staff and Vice President for Administration, leading Human Resources, Information Technology, Public Safety, and Police.

While at NCDOT, Sharon was the Chief External Civil Rights Manager at the Department of Transportation, overseeing equal employment opportunity, disadvantaged business enterprise, and Title VI Federal programs. Sharon was recognized with two awards for her exceptional leadership, integrity, and dedication. The department awarded her the ‘Manager of the Year’ Award for her excellent management skills and commitment to professional and civic values. Similarly, the Southern Civil Rights Executive Council acknowledged her ethical leadership and significant contributions to Civil Rights by presenting her with the Manager of the Year Award.

Sharon holds a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina Central University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Accounting from Shaw University.

Eric Curry is a seasoned broadcast journalist, public relations executive and public speaker, with over 30 years in the communications industry. As GoTriangle’s Chief Communications Officer, Curry leads the agency’s communications, marketing, public engagement and media relations efforts.

A Raleigh, North Carolina native, Eric recently served as the Public Information Officer for the Wake County Sheriff’s Office and is credited for implementing innovative and engaging media and public relations strategies to the agency. Curry brings more than 30 years of experience in the fields of broadcast journalism, public affairs, media relations and community engagement.

Eric worked as a reporter at WAUG-AM and WRDU-FM, both in Raleigh. His television credits include working as a reporter for WTVD-ABC 11 and has served in the capacity of newsroom manager for WTVD and WNCN.

After a successful career in broadcast news, Curry served as a Communications Specialist for Wake County Government, before accepting the position as Executive Director for Communications and University Relations at Saint Augustine’s University.

Curry has a bachelor's degree in Mass Media Arts from Hampton University and has received additional training and certification from FEMA and FBI-LEEDA for Public Information Officers.

In her role as GoTriangle’s chief development officer, Katharine Eggleston oversees planning and project delivery for the agency’s regional transit capital program. Her team includes staff specializing in short- and long-range planning for local and regional transit service, as well as design, construction, and management of capital infrastructure investments such as bus stops, transit centers, park-and-ride lots, maintenance facilities and future fixed-guideway transit systems.

Before joining GoTriangle in 2014, Katharine spent six years working as a transportation consultant to local and state governments and private clients. She holds a Bachelor of Science in engineering degree from Duke University and a master’s of civil engineering from North Carolina State University and is a licensed professional engineer. Katharine has been a frequent transit rider for nearly two decades and commutes regularly on GoTriangle Routes 700 and DRX.

Vinson Hines Jr. serves as GoTriangle’s chief of operations. As chief of operations, he is responsible for providing leadership and oversight for the Transit Operations and Regional Partnerships departments, including bus and paratransit operations, vehicle maintenance, safety and security and quality assurance.

Vinson has a 28-year career in the public transportation industry, where he has held a variety of positions beginning as an apprentice with the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Public Transportation Division. He later moved to become a coordinator and a specialist for Fayetteville Area System of Transit and to be a start-up/project/general manager for both MV Transportation Inc. and Laidlaw Transit Services Inc.

Vinson has a bachelor’s degree in transportation and logistics management from North Carolina A&T State University and is a graduate of the North Carolina Transportation Leadership Development Program.