Dawn Distler, Chief Executive Officer
dawn.distler@akronmetro.org
Dawn Distler is a 30 year veteran of the public transportation industry. She started her career as a bus operator at METRO and climbed the rankings to SCAT Operations Manager then Assistant Director of Customer Service. After serving 17 years at METRO, Dawn headed south to join the leadership team at Davidson Transit Organization in Nashville, Tenn. She later became the Director of Transit at Knoxville Area Transit in Knoxville, Tenn. Dawn has a Bachelor’s in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and is a member of the American Public Transportation Association Board.
Jarrod Hampshire, Chief Operations Officer
jarrod.hampshire@akronmetro.org
Jarrod Hampshire serves as the Chief Operating Officer for METRO, overseeing both the Operations and Maintenance departments. His transit career started at The Ohio State University as a Bus Operator, which led him to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority as a District Business Analyst and Equipment Manager before coming to METRO in 2015. Jarrod holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and a master’s from the University of Akron. In 2014, Jarrod was recognized as one of the “Top 40 Transit Professionals Under 40 Years Old” by MassTransit Magazine.
Tatia Harris, Chief Culture Officer
tatia.harris@akronmetro.org
Tatia Harris joined METRO RTA in 2022. Tatia has experience leading and implementing workplace diversity and equity initiatives. As Chief Culture Officer, Tatia is responsible for the development and implementation of equitable and inclusive strategies that foster sustainable culture, forge productive partnerships, strengthen community outreach, and promote an environment where all employees thrive. Tatia has worked in city government, communications, and community relations for almost 20 years, creating strategies and programs that ensure healthy, safe, hopeful, and vibrant communities and people.
Jay Hunter, Chief Administrative Officer
eec@akronmetro.org
Jay Hunter joined METRO RTA as the Director of Human Resources in 2019. Jay is responsible for developing, planning, and coordinating personnel processes and procedures as well as directing the major Human Resources functions, including recruiting, labor relations, compensation, benefits, workers’ compensation, employee records, and general support. In 2022, Jay was appointed as the Chief Administrative Officer for METRO adding the Public Relations & Marketing department and the Customer Care department to his charge. Jay holds a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University and a master’s from the University of Akron.
Angela Neeley, Chief Financial Officer/Assistant Secretary Treasurer
finance@akronmetro.org
Angela Neeley joined METRO RTA in 2016. She oversees METRO’s day-to-day financial planning, accounting management, strategic planning and other related functions. Angela started her career as an Ohio School Treasurer overseeing as many as 27 Ohio and three Michigan Charter Schools from 1999-2016. Under her leadership, she has obtained multiple Auditor of State awards for clean audits, including the Ohio Auditor of State Award with Distinction. Angela holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s from Kent State University.
Molly Becker, Director of Public Relations & Marketing
pr@akronmetro.org
Molly Becker is the lead for all internal and external communications at METRO RTA. She started her career at METRO over 25 years ago as a Communications Specialist. Molly led the team that created METRO's equity statement in 2020, created the METRO Green Team, and is instrumental in METRO's Art in Transit program. Molly holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Akron.
DeHavilland McCall, Director of Operations
operations@akronmetro.org
DeHavilland McCall began her career at METRO RTA over 30 years ago. She started as a SCAT reservationist and later became the SCAT administrative assistant before joining the Operations Department in 2001 as a Road Supervisor. One year later, she was promoted to Chief Dispatcher, a position she held for 10 years, until she was promoted to Director of Operations. DeHavilland is a graduate of The University of Akron and an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Shawn Metcalf, Chief of METRO's Transit Police/Director of Safety & Protection
spd@akronmetro.org
Shawn Metcalf is the Chief of METRO’s Transit Police Department. He started his career as a deputy sheriff at the Summit County Sheriff’s Office in 2003 and served there for 12 years. He was a member of the SWAT Team and was part of the rotating security at METRO’s Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center. In 2015, he joined METRO’s Safety and Security team and played an integral role in developing METRO’s Transit Police Department. Shawn works closely with Akron Police Department and Summit County Sheriff’s Office to ensure the safety of our passengers and community.
Bambi Ashbrook Miller, Director of Community Impact and Responsibility
customercare@akronmetro.org
Bambi Ashbrook Miller started her career at METRO RTA over 10 years ago as a Customer Service Call Center Supervisor and worked her way up to Assistant Director and now Director. With a career spanning Wall Street to Main Street, she has extensive experience in Customer Service and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Bambi further serves her community on local boards and committees. Bambi has co-authored a business book and holds degrees from The University of Akron, Hiram College, and a master’s from Jack Welch Management Institute.
Eric Scott, Director of Asset Management
maintenance@akronmetro.org
Eric Scott is a 30+ year veteran in vehicle maintenance and training. He started his career as a Heavy Wheel Vehicle Mechanic for the U.S. Army Reserve, which sparked his passion for vehicle maintenance. In 2004 he joined TDDS Technical Institute as a Diesel Technician Instructor and later became Program Director. Eric joined METRO in 2009 as the Maintenance Trainer, until his promotion to Director of Asset Management in 2022. Eric helped to develop METRO’s mechanic apprenticeship program. He is a graduate of Youngstown State University and is a Six Sigma Green Belt.
Valerie Shea, Director of Planning & Strategic Development
planning@akronmetro.org
Valerie Shea joined METRO RTA as the Director of Planning in 2017. Valerie oversees the planning and scheduling of all fixed route line-service, in addition to METRO’s rail property and freight operator leases. She started her career as a Transportation Engineer at HNTB Corporation then became a Planning Team Leader at the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority before coming to METRO. Valerie, a co-author of four publications/presentations, holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and a master’s from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.