Leadership Team

Dawn Distler

Chief Executive Officer
dawn.distler@yourmetrobus.org

Dawn Distler is a 35-year veteran of the public transportation industry. . She began her career as a bus operator at METRO before being promoted to SCAT Operations Manager, and later, Assistant Director of Customer Services. After serving 17 years at METRO, Dawn headed south to join the leadership team at Davidson Transit Organization in Nashville, TN. She later became the Director of Transit for the City of Knoxville, TN, where she led the organization to win the 2017 American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) Outstanding Transit System Award. Dawn returned to METRO to serve as CEO in 2018, and continues to champion equitable transportation as an essential service. Dawn also serves on the leadership team for the Ohio Public Transit Association (OPTA) and is a member of APTA’s Board of Directors.

Jarrod Hampshire

Chief of Staff
jarrod.hampshire@yourmetrobus.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@yourmetrobus.org

Tatia Harris joined METRO RTA in 2022. Tatia has experience leading and implementing workplace culture and environment initiatives. As Chief Culture Officer, Tatia leads a division of team members that ensures a sustainable culture in service planning, mobility, and social responsibility leading to the development and implementation of successful strategies that will 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 more than 20 years, creating strategies and programs that ensure healthy, safe, hopeful, and vibrant communities and people.

Jay Hunter

Chief Administrative Officer
eec@yourmetrobus.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. He spent the majority of his career at the Akron Beacon Journal working in various management positions and spent the last six years as the Human Resources and Labor Relations Director. Jay holds a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University and a master’s from the University of Akron.

Shawn Metcalf

Chief Protection & Development Officer
spd@yourmetrobus.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.

Angela Neeley

Chief Financial Officer/Assistant Secretary Treasurer
finance@yourmetrobus.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.

Gert Wilms

Legal & Government Affairs Officer
gertrude.wilms@yourmetrobus.org

Gert Wilms serves as the Legal & Government Affairs Officer at METRO. Gert Wilms has a wealth of experience and knowledge from her time as a prosecutor for over twenty years and most recently as Mayor Horrigan's Chief of Staff, where she was a founding member of the Akron Pride Festival. In this role, she oversees legal and government affairs matters, providing strategic guidance and support for our compliance with local and federal regulations. Gert holds a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University, a Master of Public Administration, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron.

Molly Becker

Director of Public Relations & Marketing
pr@yourmetrobus.org

Molly Becker is the lead for all internal and external communications at METRO RTA. She started her career at METRO over 27 years ago as a Communications Specialist. Molly 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@yourmetrobus.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.

Eric Scott

Director of Asset Management
maintenance@yourmetrobus.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.

Nathan Leppo

Director of Planning
nathan.leppo@yourmetrobus.org

Nathan Leppo serves as the Director of Planning at METRO. With a passion for creating vibrant, sustainable communities, Nathan brings extensive experience in urban design, planning, and economic analysis. Before joining METRO, he served as the Planning Director for the City of Stow and has worked across public, private, and non-profit sectors to revitalize communities through strategic planning and development. In his role at METRO, Nathan leads efforts to enhance transit accessibility, sustainability, and economic impact through innovative planning solutions. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture and a Master of City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University.