NITA is governed by a 20-member Board of Directors that meets on the third Thursday of each month. Board member bios and information on the next meeting can be found below.
Visit the Meeting Materials page to view meeting livestreams, agendas, archived materials, and more.
The first meeting of the NITA Board of Directors will be Thursday, September 10 at 9 a.m.
Watch the livestream below
To assure regional representation, 20 directors are appointed from within the six-county region: five by the Mayor of the City of Chicago; five by the Governor of Illinois, five by the Cook County Board; and five by the Chairman of each collar county, with one representative each from DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will. All new board members will be seated by September 1, 2026 and several members will hold dual appointments on the boards of CTA, Metra, or Pace. A chairperson will be chosen by the full board.
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Oswaldo Alvarez began serving on the RTA board representing the City of Chicago in October 2025. Director Alvarez is the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation’s Executive Director and oversees all programs, operations, and organizational development. Oswaldo has nearly 20 years of experience, working across the sectors of nonprofit, government, and philanthropy – all the sectors designed to work with and for community. Before joining the ILLCF, Oswaldo was appointed by Governor Pritzker as the inaugural Census Director for the State of Illinois, helping the State achieve its highest self-response rate ever, ranking #1 among states with over 9 million people. A Chicago native and a fluent Spanish speaker, he earned his Master's in Social Policy from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor in Economics and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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Dee Atkins is an accomplished nonprofit executive and community engagement leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing diversity and building partnerships across Chicago. She currently serves as Chief of Community Engagement at Thresholds, one of Illinois’ largest community-based providers of mental health and substance use treatment services.
Throughout her career, Atkins has held senior leadership positions spanning public relations, multicultural engagement, and fundraising. Prior to joining Thresholds, she served as Chief Development Officer for Marillac St. Vincent Family Services, Chief of Development and Communications for Trilogy, Vice President of Institutional Advancement for LINK Unlimited Scholars, and prominent roles at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls and Navy Pier.
Atkins currently serves on the City of Chicago’s Equity Advisory Council and has contributed her talents to numerous civic initiatives. She is also recognized as one of the Chicago Defender’s Women of Excellence.
She earned a Master of Science in Journalism & Integrated Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University and is a Certified Diversity Professional through Cornell University.
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Lester Barclay was appointed to chair the CTA Board of Directors in 2021 by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and previously served as chair of the CTA Citizens Advisory Board. Barclay has more than 40 years of legal experience in Chicago and has also served on a variety of civic and charitable organizations including the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and the Chicago Office of Tourism and Cultural Affairs.
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With over 30 years of leadership in public transportation at the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Romayne C. Brown has built a distinguished career dedicated to advancing safe, reliable, and efficient transit systems. During a three-decade tenure with CTA, Romayne served in a variety of executive leadership roles, culminating as Vice President of Rail Operations, where she oversaw one of the nation's largest urban rail networks and led initiatives to improve operational performance, safety, and customer service.
In addition to her CTA leadership, Romayne has served for 13 years on the Metra Board of Directors, including servicing 4-years as Chair, where she continues to provide strategic governance and oversight for one of the country's largest commuter rail systems. Throughout this role, Romayne has helped guide policy, capital investment, financial stewardship, and long-term planning to strengthen regional mobility.
Leveraging more than three decades of experience in transportation and public administration, Romayne is recognized for collaborative leadership, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to serving the public. Romayne’s career reflects a proven ability to lead complex organizations, foster strong partnerships, and deliver transportation solutions that support economic growth and improve quality of life for all the communities they serve.
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Brian Dahl currently serves as the Director of Servicing for the Painters District Council #30 (PDC 30) and is the President of the Fox Valley Building and Construction Trades Council. Dahl served on the Kane County Board from 2015-18 before moving out of his district and retiring his seat. Dahl holds a Certificate of Completion of the PDC 30 Joint Apprenticeship & Training Program, a Bachelor of Arts from the National Labor College, George Meaney Center for Labor Studies (Emphasis in Union Leadership and Administration), and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Baltimore.
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Gary Gordon is the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Shedd Aquarium and has served on the Metra Board of Directors since 2025. Gordon previously worked as Director of Finance and Administrative Services for Lake County (2002-18), Budget Director for the Chicago Park District (1999-2002) and various roles with the City of Chicago Office of Budget and Management, including Assistant Budget Director (1994-1999).
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Rory Hoskins has served as Forest Park’s mayor since 2019. He and his wife (Monique) raised their family in Forest Park. Mayor Hoskins is a member of the Illinois Bar. His career has included social services, service in state government, and working at a “Big 4” accounting firm.
He holds an MSW and a JD from Loyola University Chicago. In 2023, Mayor Hoskins was appointed to the Inter-Governmental Policy Advisory Committee serving the Office of the United States Trade Representative. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin. In 2022, Hoskins was selected for the Edgar Fellows program. Hoskins is an avid soccer fan who volunteered with youth soccer programming for nearly 20 years.
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Natasha Jenkins was appointed to the RTA Board in October 2024 and represents the City of Chicago. Director Jenkins is a senior attorney at Clark Hill., P.C., who specializes in resolving complex labor and employment disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation. She has represented both unions and employers in various industries, including transportation, aviation, health care, and law enforcement.
Prior to joining Clark Hill, P.C., Director Jenkins was an attorney at Littler Mendelson, P.C.,
where she focused on employment litigation involving matters arising under Title VII, ADA, FMLA, OSHA, FLSA, the Illinois Human Rights Act and the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. Beyond employment litigation, she has extensive experience in labor relations, having served as Labor Relations Manager & Arbitration Counsel for United Airlines, Inc., where she handled mediations and arbitrations arising under the Railway Labor Act.
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Tom Kotarac is Senior Vice President for Transportation and Infrastructure at the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, where he leads the organization’s work to strengthen the Chicago region’s transportation system, infrastructure, and economic competitiveness.
Previously, Kotarac served as Deputy Executive Director of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), helping lead the region’s comprehensive planning agency and its work on transportation, land use, and economic development. Earlier in his career, he spent more than 12 years on Capitol Hill serving the Illinois congressional delegation, including as senior policy advisor and projects director for U.S. Senator Richard Durbin.
Kotarac has served on the Regional Transportation Authority Board and Chaired the RTA Subcommittee focused on the transition to the Northern Illinois Transit Authority.
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Dennis Mondero was appointed to the RTA Board of Directors in October 2024 to represent the City of Chicago. Director Mondero’s prior transit experience includes serving in the positions as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), as well as Senior Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer for the CTA. He also served as Deputy Buildings Commissioner for the City of Chicago. Most recently, he worked as Executive Director of Chinese Mutual Aid Association, a non-profit that assists immigrants and refugees. In addition, he is Past President of the Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago, and serves on the Board of Directors of organizations such as the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Chicago. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, his Law Degree from Indiana University at Bloomington, and his Master of Law Degree in Real Estate from the University of Illinois Chicago.
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Luis Montgomery was President of 2IM Group, a civil engineering and environmental services firm for 20 years before selling to MacKay in early 2026. Luis is a licensed Professional Engineer and currently leads the Transport & Municipal Market Sector for MacKay.
Luis earned a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has completed a MA in Public Policy from the University of Chicago.
Director Montgomery lives in Arlington Heights with his wife and five daughters.
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Mayor John Noak is currently serving his fifth term in the Village of Romeoville. The Mayor started his first full term on April 7, 2009, after being appointed on February 6, 2008. Mayor Noak previously served as a Village Trustee beginning in April of 2005. Mayor Noak is a board member of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), Pace Suburban Bus and was recently appointed to serve on the new Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA). Additionally, Mayor Noak serves as the President of the Will County Governmental League, Chairman of the Des Plaines Valley Enterprise Zone, Secretary of the Grand Prairie Water Commission, and the Chairman of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.
Nationally, Mayor Noak serves on three committees for the National League of Cities including: Transportation & Infrastructure Services Committee, Council on Youth, Education, and Families, and the University Communities Council, as well as, serving on the Transportation Committee for the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
Mayor Noak also previously served on the Illinois Campaign Finance Reform Task Force, the Community Advisory Committee for the Illinois Facility Fund, and as a board member of the Joliet Regional Port District. The mayor’s background includes nearly three decades working with local, state, and federal governments. Prior to his term as Mayor, he was the Director of Community Affairs and Communications for U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert. Prior to his work with the Congresswoman’s office, he worked for the State and Local Government Commission of Ohio.
Mayor Noak earned his master’s degree in public administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
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Rosa Y. Ortiz, AICP, LEED AP, is an urban planner and the principal and founder of 3e. Studio. She previously served as Managing Deputy Commissioner for the City of Chicago Department of Housing and held leadership positions with Enterprise Community Partners, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, and the Hispanic Housing Development Corporation. Ortiz holds a master’s degree in urban planning and policy and a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Illinois Chicago. She served on the CTA Board from 2021-26.
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David Pileski has served as Mayor of Roselle since 2021, previously serving as a village trustee and member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Pileski also serves on the Illinois Firefighters’ Pension Investment Fund (2025-present), DuPage County Convention and Visitors Bureau (2022-present), and DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference (2021-present), as well as various other boards and associations. Pileski holds a bachelor's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is advancing his education in Northwestern University’s Master of Public Policy and Administration program. He is a supply chain leader at a Fortune 500 company with experience in operations, technology, and process improvement.
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Bashir Qaasim is Vice President at The Whole Group where he advises large organizations through transformation, with a focus on integrating fragmented technology systems. He previously held senior roles at Aforza and Accenture advising on technology, customer success, and organizational strategy. Qaasim earned a bachelor’s degree from the Computing and Digital Media School at DePaul University and serves on the NAMI Chicago Board of Directors.
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Nirali Shah is Senior Director of Procurement and Culture, Impact, and Opportunity at the Obama Foundation, where she oversaw procurement for several aspects of the construction of the Obama Presidential Center. She previously served as Director of Procurement at McDermott Will & Schulte and held procurement, contract administration, and compliance positions at the CTA. Shah earned her law degree from Marquette University Law School and bachelor’s degree in psychology and speech communications from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
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Nedra Sims Fears is the Executive Director of The Greater Chatham Initiative, where she leads efforts to promote neighborhood investment and economic growth on Chicago’s South Side. She previously worked in mortgage banking and community development finance with Fannie Mae, the City of Chicago, and the Community Investment Corporation. Fears holds an MBA from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in interior architecture from Cornell University. She was also a Loeb Fellow at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design and previously served on the Metropolitan Planning Council Board.
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Vanessa Uribe is Associate Vice President for People and Operations at The Chicago Community Trust. She previously served as Chief Deputy in the Illinois Secretary of State’s Executive Office and as Chief of Staff and Deputy Director of the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Uribe also held economic development and policy roles with Cook County and UnidosUS. She earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Illinois Chicago and is a graduate of the University of Chicago’s Civic Leadership Academy.
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Diane Williams is the chair of the Council on Criminal Justice’s Board of Directors, previously serving for nearly 20 years as the Chief Executive Officer of Safer Foundation, a nonprofit providing workforce development, housing, mental health treatment, and access to medical services. For over a decade, Williams has served on the boards of the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) and the International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology (IACFP). Her extensive civic leadership includes serving as board chair for the Southland Development Authority (SDA), sitting on the Executive and Coordinating Committees of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), and dedicating 16 years of service as a local trustee in Flossmoor.
