Executive Staff

Leanne Redden was appointed executive director of the RTA in October, 2014. An experienced transportation leader, Redden brings a renewed spirit of collaboration to the RTA and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace bus and paratransit or the Service Boards. In her role as executive director, Redden heads the only unit of local government charged with regional financial oversight, funding, and transit planning for the Service Boards. This includes approving a $3.8 billion annual regional capital and operating budget. Learn More

Bea Reyna-Hickey is the RTA’s Chief Financial Officer/ Senior Deputy Executive Director of Finance, Innovation and Technology (FIT). Reyna-Hickey oversees a $4.8 billion combined operating and capital annual regional transit operating budget. She has worked collaboratively to foster agreement with the Service Boards on funding allocation, budget development and implementation. In 2016, for the second year in row, Reyna-Hickey’s work was critical in assuring RTA board approval of the budgetary funding amounts to be allocated to the Service Boards one month ahead of the statutory deadline. Under her leadership, the RTA continues to receive the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 20th year in a row. Learn More

Nadine Lacombe was appointed General Counsel in June 2012.

As the RTA’s chief legal counsel, she provides advice regarding regulatory compliance and statutory powers and requirements, oversees litigation, contracting, the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program and coordinates the drafting and adoption of ordinances and resolutions by the RTA Board.

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Jeremy LaMarche is the RTA’s Director of Government Affairs and Counsel. He manages the agency’s Government Affairs Department, providing strategic advice and analysis on issues relating to the RTA’s federal, state and local legislative, regulatory and policy agendas.

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Jill Leary is the RTA’s senior Deputy Executive Director, Capital Programming, Planning and Performance. She oversees the agency's funding programs, planning and implementation, five-year capital program development process, transit performance measures, and the RTA Strategic Plan.

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Susan Massel is the Director of Marketing and Communications. Massel oversees agency internal and external marketing and communications. She and her team handle press releases, media inquiries, consumer and business to business marketing, presentations by leaders and the RTA blog and social media. Overall, the unit publicizes RTA programs, initiatives and successes, and collaborates with the Service Boards to promote their services and ridership. Learn More

Julia Patterson is Director, Human Resources. She joined the RTA team in October, 1999. Patterson manages human resources services, policies, and programs for the RTA. She assists departments in meeting their business objectives by providing a full range of human resources consulting services, including employment and recruitment, benefit and compensation administration, employee relations, training and development, organizational development, and policy and procedure development. Learn More

Michael VanDekreke is the RTA’s Director of Mobility Services. He oversees management of the Mobility Management program, including the RTA’s Travel Training program, the ADA Paratransit Certification Program and customer service.

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