Chicago Transit Authority Executive and Leadership Team

Tom McKone, the Chief Financial Officer at Chicago Transit Authority, manages the fiscal health and budgetary allocations for the entire agency. Overseeing capital investment programs, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that funding for bus and rail infrastructure remains sustainable. This leadership role involves rigorous financial planning to support long-term transit expansion and maintenance requirements. By optimizing resource distribution, Tom McKone directly impacts the agency's ability to provide consistent service to the public. McKone coordinates with external stakeholders to secure necessary grants and subsidies, ensuring that fiscal policies align with broader organizational goals. Through precise oversight of expenditures, the Chief Financial Officer maintains the economic stability required for large-scale transportation operations. This position demands constant vigilance over budgetary performance, ensuring that every dollar spent contributes to the overall mission of providing efficient, safe, and reliable transit options for the metropolitan population.

Cara Bader, the Chief Operating Officer at Chicago Transit Authority, directs the daily performance of the bus and rail networks. Overseeing maintenance schedules and fleet deployment, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that transit services remain safe and punctual for all passengers. This leadership role involves managing large-scale logistics to optimize route efficiency across the entire service area. By implementing rigorous safety protocols, Cara Bader directly impacts the quality of the rider experience. Bader coordinates with engineering teams to address infrastructure challenges and modernize aging equipment. Through the supervision of field operations, the Chief Operating Officer maintains the reliability of the transit system during peak demand periods. Bader focuses on continuous improvement of service delivery, ensuring that the agency meets the transportation requirements of the urban population while maintaining high standards of operational excellence and public safety throughout the entire transit network.

Nora Leerhsen, the Acting President at Chicago Transit Authority, provides executive leadership and sets the strategic vision for the entire agency. Overseeing the alignment of all departments, the Acting President ensures that the organization fulfills its mandate to provide essential transportation services. This leadership role involves representing the agency to government officials and the public, advocating for the resources necessary to maintain a robust transit network. By fostering a culture of accountability, Nora Leerhsen directly impacts the agency's performance and public reputation. Leerhsen coordinates with the board to establish long-term goals for system expansion and modernization. Through the management of executive priorities, the Acting President maintains the stability of the transit system during periods of transition. Leerhsen focuses on delivering reliable, efficient, and equitable transportation solutions, ensuring that the agency remains a cornerstone of urban mobility for the entire metropolitan region.

Dwayne Miller, the Chief Revenue Officer at Chicago Transit Authority, directs all initiatives related to fare collection and non-fare revenue streams. Overseeing the modernization of payment systems, the Chief Revenue Officer ensures that riders experience seamless access to bus and rail networks. This leadership role involves analyzing passenger data to maximize income while maintaining affordability for the community. By implementing innovative pricing strategies, Dwayne Miller directly impacts the financial viability of the transit system. Miller collaborates with marketing teams to increase ridership through targeted outreach and improved service visibility. Ultimately, Miller secures the necessary capital to fund daily operations and future system upgrades. The Chief Revenue Officer maintains a focus on diversifying income sources, reducing reliance on traditional funding models, and ensuring that the agency remains a self-sustaining entity capable of meeting the evolving transportation needs of the urban environment.

Stephen Mayberry, the Chief of Staff at Chicago Transit Authority, coordinates internal communications and executive workflows across all departments. Overseeing the implementation of strategic directives, the Chief of Staff ensures that leadership goals translate into actionable tasks for the entire organization. This leadership role involves managing high-level projects that require cross-functional collaboration between rail and bus divisions. By streamlining administrative processes, Stephen Mayberry directly impacts the efficiency of the agency's daily operations. Mayberry facilitates communication between the executive team and the board, ensuring alignment on critical policy decisions. Through the management of organizational priorities, the Chief of Staff supports the agency's mission to provide reliable transit services. Mayberry maintains a focus on operational transparency and accountability, ensuring that all departments work in harmony to achieve the overarching objectives of the transit system while serving the diverse needs of the metropolitan population.

Xavier Epps, the Chief Revenue Officer, ( Combined Rail & Operator at Chicago Transit Authority, manages the integration of revenue systems across both rail and bus platforms. Overseeing the technical infrastructure for fare validation, the Chief Revenue Officer ensures that revenue collection remains accurate and efficient. This leadership role involves developing strategies to unify payment experiences for passengers transitioning between different modes of transit. By analyzing cross-modal usage patterns, Xavier Epps directly impacts the agency's ability to capture revenue effectively. Epps collaborates with operations teams to ensure that fare collection hardware remains functional and accessible at all stations and on all vehicles. Through the optimization of revenue-generating assets, the Chief Revenue Officer supports the financial health of the entire transit system. Epps maintains a focus on technological innovation, ensuring that the agency adopts modern solutions to simplify the passenger experience and increase overall system profitability.