Committees

• Executive Committee: A standing board committee that advises the Executive Director, helps set board agendas and direction, and helps make time-critical decisions for the association.
• Finance Committee: Works with the MPTA Director of Administrative Services to set the annual budget, maintain monthly budget oversight, and interface with the auditors as necessary. Generally meets monthly prior to the MPTA monthly board meeting.
  • Chair: Mallory Avis, Calhoun County
  • Vice-Chair: John Stapleton, Delta/Schoolcraft Counties
• Legislative Committee: Reviews current legislative and budget proposals, analyzes funding formula issues, and coordinates advocacy strategy with MPTA Executive Director, contract lobbyist, and transit allies. Generally meets monthly.
  • Chair: Heidi Wenzel, Ionia Dial-a-Ride
  • Vice-Chair: Jeff Pfeifer, Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide)
• Communications Committee: Serves as a resource for MPTA Executive Director and other member committees by advising on effective internal and external communications platforms. Shares best practices and highlights emerging communications and marketing issues of interest. Generally meets bi-monthly.
  • Chair: Eric Lingaur, Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA)
  • Vice-Chair: Jamie Forbes, Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Services (STARS)
• Rural Operators Committee: Addresses State and Federal issues such as funding, maintenance and operations pertaining to community service operators. This committee also works with MPTA Training Coordinator to plan the Rural Transit Manager’s Workshop and advise on new training projects and offerings as they arise. Generally meets bi-monthly.
  • Chair: Jessica Carland, Benzie Bus
  • Vice-Chair: Whitney Ehresman, Allegan County Transportation
• Urban Operators Committee: Addresses State and Federal issues such as funding, maintenance and operations pertaining to urban operators. Shares best practices and highlights emerging issues of interest. Generally meets bi-monthly.
  • Chair: Sean McBride, Kalamazoo Metro
  • Vice-Chair: Andrew Brieschke, Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA)
• Maintenance Committee: Oversees and makes recommendations to MPTA board on future maintenance programs that MPTA may sponsor. Shares best practices and highlights emerging maintenance issues of interest. This committee also works with the Training Coordinator to plan the Transit Vehicle Maintenance Seminar (TVMS) and coordinate existing maintenance opportunities. Generally meets monthly.
  • Chair: Rob Branch, Kalamazoo Metro
  • Vice-Chair: Steve Clapp, Interurban Transit Partnership (The Rapid)

To update your committee(s), please click here to log into the Member Portal, then go to "My Info"