ADVOCACY
The Advocacy Committee develops consensus recommendations about state and federal legislative activity including funding, transit authorization legislation, annual appropriations, administration initiatives and regulatory matters. The committee commnunicates with lawmakers at all levels regarding transit matters and OTA policies.
Ted Rieck
Chair
Ted Rieck is the general manager of Tulsa Transit in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a position he has held since September, 2017. Ted has over 35 years of transit experience spanning operations, planning, technology, and community partnerships. In the mid-nineties, he served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Indianapolis transit system, where he reversed a 15 year ridership decline. Prior to joining Tulsa Transit, Ted was a transit consultant both independently as well as with national architect, engineering, and planning firms. He was also Vice Chair of the Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance, a transit advocacy group. Until recently, he represented the Johnson County Commission Third District on the County’s Transportation Council overseeing transit planning and operations.
Ted has two Master’s degrees; a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Rockhurst University and a Master of City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University.
Amber Freeman
Member
Amber Freeman is the Communication and Capacity Director for INCA Community Services and has been with INCA for 5 years. She started as a volunteer and outreach coordinator and her role has since morphed and evolved to meet the needs of the agency.
Amber has a passion to help others and improve the quality of her community by promoting opportunities that increase economic stability and self-sufficiency in INCA’s service area. She believes very passionately in INCA’s mission and the spirit of Community Action. Amber’s has a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising from the Gaylord College of Journalism from the University of Oklahoma. From her time at OU she learned just as much from her work study position as she did earning her degree, and it was here she developed a commitment to serving others especially seniors and those in need that are often overlooked. Although her degree was in Advertising, she quickly understood the need for this type of knowledge in the nonprofit world and applied her marketing and communication skills to promote the agency where she interned. After graduating, Amber, passionate to start making an impact in her hometown community moved back to southern Oklahoma. After working a few years in the for-profit world, she yearned to move back into the non-profit realm and really do work that made a difference. Luckily Amber found INCA and has been able to grow and learn with the many needs or the agency and enjoys learning more to help the agency thrive.
Amber serves on INCA’s leadership team and works to help each of INCA’s programs grow and thrive so they are able to best serve the community. Her passions vary from very creative projects such as social media, website design, newsletter marketing, and media relations to more logical planning projects such as assessing community needs, strategic planning, training board members, and planning outcomes and service objectives for the agency. She enjoys the variety of tasks and projects and working with program directors, leadership team, and board of directors to really help build INCA’s brand awareness and ability to meet community needs. Amber love learning new things, and truly believes knowledge is power. She never shies away from the opportunity to dive head first into a new adventure or topic, and this ambition shows in her certifications and accomplishments at the agency. Although work is Amber’s biggest passion is her work, she also loves traveling, running, and spending time with her husband and fur kids and extended family.
Ryan Landers
Member
Ryan Landers is the General Manager for LATS and has been with system for over 3 years. He has over 10 years of transit experience in Operations and Management contracts for fixed route and para transit. Prior to LATS, Ryan was the Operations Director for Mountain Metro Transit in Colorado Springs. Ryan has always been involved in transit since he graduated with a Business Administration degree from Texas Wesleyan University in Ft. Worth Texas. After college Ryan interned at Trinity Metro formerly known as the T in Fort Worth. Ryan has a wife, Holly and 3-year boy old named John.
Tina Lowrey
Member
Tina Lowery is the Director of Central Oklahoma Transit System located in Shawnee. Oklahoma. Tina started working with the Central Oklahoma Community Action Agency beginning of 2006. She has set on the COCAA’s Leadership team for the past 5 years. Tina is also a 2010 Graduate for the Shawnee Leaders with honors. She has received several awards including Directors Award, Leadership Awards and Outstanding programs achievement award for a two years consecutive.
Kendra McGeady
Member
Kendra Sue McGeady has served as Director of Transit for Pelivan Transit and Northeast Oklahoma Tribal Transit Consortium, owned and operated by Grand Gateway Economic Development Association, since March of 2016. The system, located in northeast Oklahoma, operates in seven counties and provides transit services for the general public as well as the Cherokee, Peoria, Ottawa, Quapaw, Modoc, Miami, Shawnee, Eastern Shawnee, Wyandotte and Seneca Cayuga tribes.
She is past president of the Vinita Rotary Club and serves as Chairwoman of the Cherokee Phoenix Editorial Board of Directors. She also serves on the Oklahoma Transit Association Advocacy Committee.
Kendra, an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, is an avid runner who resides in Vinita, Oklahoma, with her husband, Tom. Her nephew Carter is a sophomore at Oklahoma State University.
COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC RELATIONS
The Communications and Public Relations Committee promotes the Oklahoma public transit story to the media and public in general. The committee also develops tools and opportunities to enhance internal communications between OTA and its members.
Melissa Fesler
Chair
I have been with First Capital Trolley since the 90’s, becoming director at the age of 23 in 1999. Amazing since I am so young. Since taking the reins I have implemented many new services and expanded existing services. As an organization we have volunteered for the united way, the chamber of commerce, trash clean up days, stuff the bus, and many more fund raisers for different community needs. I have even been an Easter Bunny to raise money for children in our community. From trash pick up to sitting on boards, I work tirelessly to promote transit and help the citizens we serve.
Oh and yea we have done some things you can put on paper too…In 2008, We added job routes to expand from one county to another for a discounted rate. Awarded business of the year in 2008 by the Guthrie Chamber of Commerce and OTA honored us with the Ridership and Expanded Service award. In 2010 I was named professional of the year for 2009. In 2011 was named top 40 under 40 by the MassTransit Magazine. The service types we offer change as the needs change. New contracts have been formed to meet different needs in different communities. All of this has been done without burdening the City’s or Counties for funding. First Capital Trolley now sits on a 7 acre space which allows for growth of our thriving transportation service.
Everything I do every day is because of the citizens I serve. Safe, reliable transportation for all.
Jesse Wood
Website Subcommittee Chair
Jesse Wood is the Marketing Coordinator for Oklahoma State University Parking and Transportation Services, and has been with OSU for one and a half years. He started in the Oklahoma National Guard, then moved to the private sector, working for CMS Willowbrook, and finally landing in his current position with his alma mater.
Jesse has a passion to help others by volunteering at a variety of organizations in Stillwater. He has a bachelor degree in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University, Go Pokes! Jesse has also found a passion for photography and travel writing. Jesse has served on the Staff Advisory Council for OSU, OTA communications committee,Young Professionals of Stillwater Communications Committee, and serves at Life Church Stillwater.
When he is not busy designing print material, maintaining social media accounts, engaging future students at Orientation, or selling advertising. You will find him sailing, brewing beer, or planning his next traveling adventure. Jesse enjoys continuing his education by keeping up with the ever-changing marketing community.
Liann Alfaro
Member
Liann Alfaro is the Planning and Marketing Director for Tulsa Transit and has been with Tulsa Transit for 18 years. She started as the Accounts Receivable clerk and has worked her way up to her current position.
Liann has a passion to help others with their transportation needs and to see her community thrive. She has a bachelor degree in Leadership Administration from Oklahoma University, Boomer Sooner! Liann has also found a passion marketing and event planning. Liann has served on the local Ozone Alert PR team, OTA conference committee and SWTA marketing workshop committees. Liann is a graduate of Lead North. A community driven leadership class.
When she is not busy planning routes or setting up and maintaining social media accounts you will find her either decorating one of her planners, sitting at her kids sports games or simply reading a book. Liann always enjoys learning new things. She says you should never be an expert, because once you are an expert you stop learning.
Lisa Boren
Member
As of October 2018, Lisa will have been in the transit business for 9 years. Starting as a part time Dispatcher, with diligence, hard work and lots of long hours she has steadily moved her way through the ranks and is now a certified Transit Supervisor and currently serves as the Regional Mobility Manager for Pelivan Transit and the amazing project, Veterans’ Ride Connect.
Lisa was the lead Project Manager for Pelivan Transit responsible for the implementation in every aspect of the Intelligent Transit Software, RouteMatch. Working tirelessly to help develop the software to best fit the needs of a dynamic rural transit agency, she brought them from a total manual operation to currently on the cutting edge of all things transit technology. Lisa’s background is Music Education, having been a Minister of Music and a piano teacher for over 25 years as well as a fulltime staff Worship Pastor for over 11 years. Her technical abilities and a genuine love for people has been a huge asset to her job and has sustained her through the process of industry change.
Her current project management with Pelivan Transit is the Veterans’ Ride Connect and in 2017 she completed the website development at www.veteransrideconnect.org . She developed and oversees the ongoing Marketing campaign promoting the service that has combined the forces of 6 transit providers covering a service area of over 25 counties in N.E. Okla.
A lifetime of Servanthood and Leadership best describes Lisa. She says, “I’m so thankful for the opportunity to serve people through transit. It’s such a real necessity and a vital force in the sustainment of so many lives. I’m very proud to be a part of the Transit Movement in N.E. Okla.”
Lisa was the recipient of the coveted “Millie Griffith Award” in 2016 which is the Grand Gateway Economic Development Association Employee of the Year Award
Amber Freeman
Member
Amber Freeman is the Communication and Capacity Director for INCA Community Services and has been with INCA for 5 years. She started as a volunteer and outreach coordinator and her role has since morphed and evolved to meet the needs of the agency.
Amber has a passion to help others and improve the quality of her community by promoting opportunities that increase economic stability and self-sufficiency in INCA’s service area. She believes very passionately in INCA’s mission and the spirit of Community Action. Amber’s has a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising from the Gaylord College of Journalism from the University of Oklahoma. From her time at OU she learned just as much from her work study position as she did earning her degree, and it was here she developed a commitment to serving others especially seniors and those in need that are often overlooked. Although her degree was in Advertising, she quickly understood the need for this type of knowledge in the nonprofit world and applied her marketing and communication skills to promote the agency where she interned. After graduating, Amber, passionate to start making an impact in her hometown community moved back to southern Oklahoma. After working a few years in the for-profit world, she yearned to move back into the non-profit realm and really do work that made a difference. Luckily Amber found INCA and has been able to grow and learn with the many needs or the agency and enjoys learning more to help the agency thrive.
Amber serves on INCA’s leadership team and works to help each of INCA’s programs grow and thrive so they are able to best serve the community. Her passions vary from very creative projects such as social media, website design, newsletter marketing, and media relations to more logical planning projects such as assessing community needs, strategic planning, training board members, and planning outcomes and service objectives for the agency. She enjoys the variety of tasks and projects and working with program directors, leadership team, and board of directors to really help build INCA’s brand awareness and ability to meet community needs. Amber love learning new things, and truly believes knowledge is power. She never shies away from the opportunity to dive head first into a new adventure or topic, and this ambition shows in her certifications and accomplishments at the agency. Although work is Amber’s biggest passion is her work, she also loves traveling, running, and spending time with her husband and fur kids and extended family.
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
The Finance and Administration Committee oversees and manages the financial, administrative and legal matters of OTA.
Ryan Landers
Chair
Ryan Landers is the General Manager for LATS and has been with system for over 3 years. He has over 10 years of transit experience in Operations and Management contracts for fixed route and para transit. Prior to LATS, Ryan was the Operations Director for Mountain Metro Transit in Colorado Springs. Ryan has always been involved in transit since he graduated with a Business Administration degree from Texas Wesleyan University in Ft. Worth Texas. After college Ryan interned at Trinity Metro formerly known as the T in Fort Worth. Ryan has a wife, Holly and 3-year boy old named John.
Doug Myers
Ex Officio
Doug Myers, a native of Michigan, served in the U.S. Navy for 23 years, including two tours at the Naval ROTC Unit at The University of Oklahoma. Doug decided shortly after retiring from the Navy that retirement wasn’t for him, and he went to work as office manager in OU Parking and Transportation Services in 2000. Two years later he moved to OU Health Sciences Center as manager of Parking and Transportation, and in 2007 became assistant director. Doug became director of Parking and Transportation Services for both the Norman and OUHSC campuses on March 1, 2010. The two campuses were growing rapidly and needed the attention of a full-time director on both and Doug became the Director at OU Health Sciences Center in August 2017.
Doug and his wife, Lynne, have been married for 36 years and have two daughters and a son-in-law, Kimberly Myers and Cathy and Warren Cole and a granddaughter Lucy. All three children are OU graduates.
MEMBER SERVICES
The Member Services Committee oversees programs that meet the professional needs of OTA members. Responsibilities include conferences, continuing education, grant writing, sponsorships and public service programs.
Charla Sloan
Chair
Charla Sloan, a native of LeQuire, Oklahoma is Transit Director of Oklahoma’s largest rural transit System, KI BOIS Area Transit System. Charla is a member and Past President of Oklahoma Transit Association Board of Directors. She is a leader in building partnerships evident by the Road to Work – Job Access Collaboration with all rural transit agencies in Oklahoma. She has over thirty years of experience. Road to Work Oklahoma was given a “Distinguish Service” award from the Community Transit Association of America in 2001.
KI BOIS Area Transit System is operating 237 vehicles in twelve counties, contracts with Head Start, Cities, Department of Human Services (TANF), Tribes, Oklahoma Health Care Authority (SoonerRide), Department of Rehabilitation Services, Work Routes and also with the Developmental Disabled.
In 1999 and 2004 she was recognized by the Oklahoma Transit Association as “Transit Manager of the Year” and “Transit System of the Year”. The Oklahoma Transit Department of Oklahoma recognized her system with their annual merit award. In 2000 she received “Professional of the Year” from Oklahoma Transit Association. She was President of OTA for three years.
Also in 1999 Sloan received her Certified Community Transit Manager Certificate from the Community Transportation Association of America which she is the State Delegate for Oklahoma.
Now serving as Past President of the South West Transit Association Board, the association includes Arkansas, Oklahoma , New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Louisiana, Kansas, and Arizona.
She has served as Chair on the Governor’s United We Ride Council. She also served on the National RTAP Board from 2014 to 2017.
Angie Gilliam
Bus Roadeo Subcommittee Chair
Angie Gilliam is the Director of the Transportation Services Department for the Chickasaw Nation, and has served in this capacity for 11 years. She has a bachelor’s of science degree in Business Administration from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She is an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation. She began employment with the Chickasaw Nation in 1999 and has worked to better the lives of Native Americans thru the employment and training and transportation professions.
She serves as board member for the Oklahoma Transit Association and the Community Transportation Association of America, she is the Transit Sub-committee Chair for Oklahoma Tribal Transportation Council and a member of the Southwest Transit Association executive board. She was also appointed and represented the Oklahoma tribes on the Oklahoma Governor’s United We Ride Council. She enjoys playing golf and spending time with her family, Karnie, Rance, husband Jeff and especially spending time with her grandson Jett.
Brent Roy
Business Member Advocacy Subcommittee Chair
Brent Roy is a bus sales professional specializing in the sale and support of custom vehicles for public transit agencies throughout the Southwest.
For over 16 years, Brent has worked closely with public transit agencies in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas including large Metro, Small Urban, and Rural public transit agencies. An expert in bus technical specifications and regulations, Brent has acted in the roll of advocate for public transit agencies with multiple bus manufacturers. His consultancy is widely relied upon by public transit fleet managers and directors during the vehicle planning and purchasing process.
Brent has served on Boards of Directors for the following public transit associations:
* Oklahoma Transit Association Board of Directors – Business Member 2003-2014
* New Mexico Transit Association Board of Directors – Business Member 2011-2014
* Southwest Transit Association Board of Directors – Business Member 2007-2009 2012-2014, and 2017 to current
Brent is employed by Creative Bus Sales following the September 2016 asset purchase of National Bus Sales where he started his bus sales career in September of 2001. He lives in Burleson, TX with his wife Jennifer and is the proud father of Ashley (Graphics Design major at University of North Texas) and Blair (Accounting/Business major at University of Arkansas).
Kendra McGeady
Education & Training Subcommittee Chair
Kendra Sue McGeady has served as Director of Transit for Pelivan Transit and Northeast Oklahoma Tribal Transit Consortium, owned and operated by Grand Gateway Economic Development Association, since March of 2016. The system, located in northeast Oklahoma, operates in seven counties and provides transit services for the general public as well as the Cherokee, Peoria, Ottawa, Quapaw, Modoc, Miami, Shawnee, Eastern Shawnee, Wyandotte and Seneca Cayuga tribes.
She is past president of the Vinita Rotary Club and serves as Chairwoman of the Cherokee Phoenix Editorial Board of Directors. She also serves on the Oklahoma Transit Association Advocacy Committee.
Kendra, an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, is an avid runner who resides in Vinita, Oklahoma, with her husband, Tom. Her nephew Carter is a sophomore at Oklahoma State University.
Melissa Fesler
Member
I have been with First Capital Trolley since the 90’s, becoming director at the age of 23 in 1999. Amazing since I am so young. Since taking the reins I have implemented many new services and expanded existing services. As an organization we have volunteered for the united way, the chamber of commerce, trash clean up days, stuff the bus, and many more fund raisers for different community needs. I have even been an Easter Bunny to raise money for children in our community. From trash pick up to sitting on boards, I work tirelessly to promote transit and help the citizens we serve.
Oh and yea we have done some things you can put on paper too…In 2008, We added job routes to expand from one county to another for a discounted rate. Awarded business of the year in 2008 by the Guthrie Chamber of Commerce and OTA honored us with the Ridership and Expanded Service award. In 2010 I was named professional of the year for 2009. In 2011 was named top 40 under 40 by the MassTransit Magazine. The service types we offer change as the needs change. New contracts have been formed to meet different needs in different communities. All of this has been done without burdening the City’s or Counties for funding. First Capital Trolley now sits on a 7 acre space which allows for growth of our thriving transportation service.
Everything I do every day is because of the citizens I serve. Safe, reliable transportation for all.
Taylor Johnson
Member
Taylor Johnson is the Planner and Grants Specialist for Cleveland Area Rapid Transit (CART) in Norman, Oklahoma. Prior to his current position, he was a Planner and Grants intern for CART and has been with the system since 2014. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and a Master of Regional and City Planning from the University of Oklahoma.
Taylor is passionate about serving his community and providing access to opportunities for those that live in it. In his spare time, Taylor enjoys reading, outdoor activities, and playing board games. Taylor and his wife Jordan have been married since 2014 and live in Norman.
Doug Myers
Member
Doug Myers, a native of Michigan, served in the U.S. Navy for 23 years, including two tours at the Naval ROTC Unit at The University of Oklahoma. Doug decided shortly after retiring from the Navy that retirement wasn’t for him, and he went to work as office manager in OU Parking and Transportation Services in 2000. Two years later he moved to OU Health Sciences Center as manager of Parking and Transportation, and in 2007 became assistant director. Doug became director of Parking and Transportation Services for both the Norman and OUHSC campuses on March 1, 2010. The two campuses were growing rapidly and needed the attention of a full-time director on both and Doug became the Director at OU Health Sciences Center in August 2017.
Doug and his wife, Lynne, have been married for 36 years and have two daughters and a son-in-law, Kimberly Myers and Cathy and Warren Cole and a granddaughter Lucy. All three children are OU graduates.
Trisha Nolen
Member
As the Southern Regional Manager for Q’Straint and Sure-Lok, Trisha Nolen represents both product lines for all School Bus and Paratransit applications. She has been in the industry for over 25 years, and has been with Q’Straint and Sure-Lok since 2013.
She conducts training programs both on-site and at conferences at the local, state and national level. She has been invited by numerous agencies throughout the country to speak on safe and effective wheelchair securement practices and regulatory issues. She was recognized as the Vendor of the Year in 2017 by TAPT.
She is a native Texan where she resides with her husband and enjoys spending time with their two grown daughters.
STATE RELATIONS
The State Relations Committee serves as OTA's liaison with state agencies, entities and organizations.
Brent Morey
Chair
Brent Morey began his career with Community Action January 1, 1981 as Program Planner and Grant Writer. He wrote the initial grant for one of the first four rural public transit systems in Oklahoma in 1984 and became Director of Red River Transportation Service. Appointed as Executive Director of Community Action Development Corporation in 1986. Served two terms as President of the Oklahoma Transit Association and two terms as President of Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies.
Received Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies in 1991, Master of Public Administration in 2004, and Master of Human Relations in 2009 all from the University of Oklahoma. Mr. Morey also completed an additional 24 hours required for Certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor and works evenings and weekends with his wife Debbie in her mental health clinic. Brent and Debbie have been married since 1976 and have two children, Josh and Jenna Morey.
Jeannie McMillin
Member
Jeannie McMillin has been the director of Little Dixie Transit since 2003. She began her career with Little Dixie Community Action Agency, Inc. in 2000 as a site supervisor for Little Dixie Transit for the Hugo dispatch office. 18 months later she was promoted to the Assistant Director/Operations Manager position which she held until becoming transit director in 2003. Under her leadership, Little Dixie Transit doubled in size in terms of number of vehicles, employees and trip volume. Little Dixie Transit operates five dispatch locations within a tri-county service area in Southeast Oklahoma. Little Dixie Transit also has a maintenance facility at the transit headquarters in Hugo, Oklahoma. Jeannie truly believes that transit plays a pivotal role in fulfilling the agency’s mission statement, “Helping people.” “Changing lives.”
Jeannie built an effective training program which has resulted in no at fault accidents consistently year after year. The training program was recognized by OTA when Little Dixie Transit received the Public Transit Safety and Training Award in 2009. In 2011, Jeannie was awarded the Transit Professional of the Year award from OTA. Jeannie served as OTA president from 2013 through 2015.
Jeannie attended the University of Oklahoma and studied English and Journalism. She had a published work in the campus literary magazine as well as being involved with Student Publications for three years. While a student at OU, Jeannie also participated in community activities through a volunteer program called The Bridging Project. As a volunteer with Bridging Project, Jeannie was involved with the Women’s Crisis Center, Habitat for Humanity, an international craft fair, as well as hosting two literary events that collected clothing and food to be donated to the needy as entry fees for the events. During her time at Little Dixie Transit, Jeannie has continued to volunteer by being active with the Relay For Life events for three consecutive years. Jeannie also volunteered for a local veteran’s day recognition event. From 2012-2014, Jeannie volunteered for the agency’s annual NeighborWorks projects which included restoring a local community park. Jeannie is a supporter of the Special Olympics as well as The Animal Rescue Site.
Jeannie resides in Soper, Oklahoma with her two rescue dogs Jake and Chel-B. She is actively involved with her nieces, nephews and extended family. In her spare time, she enjoys organic gardening, reading, and attending t-ball and soccer games for her two great-nephews who live with her. Jeannie also participates in 5K events on an annual basis.
TransitPAC
The TransitPAC Board Administers the fund.