Introduction
Helping to manage the nation’s fourth-busiest commuter rail system is no easy task, but that’s the role of the 11-member Metra Board of Directors. The Board is made up of members representing the six-county Chicago metropolitan area. They meet once a month to discuss and address matters related to Metra’s operations today and into the future.
Meet Chair Romayne C. Brown
Romayne C. Brown was appointed to the Metra Board by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in September 2013, was elected Vice Chair of the Board in October 2016, and was elected Chair in September 2020. Ms. Brown had a long career at the Chicago Transit Authority, starting as a rail conductor in 1978 and working her way through the ranks, finishing in 2010 as the VP of Rail Operations. A native of Chicago’s South Side, she has lived in Dolton for more than 20 years.
What do you like most about being a Board Member?
I think that Metra, and public transportation in general, is vitally important to our region. For economic, environ-mental and mobility reasons, it’s a “must have.” Because of that, I feel that my role as Chair allows me to make a difference for others.
What gives you hope about Metra’s future?
I would say three things. First, as I said, Metra is just so important for our region. And where we have need, there will always be support. Second, the people at Metra. Their dedication to the service they provide is unwavering. And third, our passengers.
What are you looking forward to in the next 12 months?
We started something called the Metra Electric Community Initiative. It’s a multiyear program that demonstrates our commitment to the communities along the Metra Electric Line. We are renovating 13 stations to bring greater comfort to riders, while creating thousands of jobs. And I always look forward to spending more time with family.
Tell us something surprising about yourself.
Well, to be honest, I’m actually an introvert who works hard to be an extrovert. I’m sharing this because I want to help others realize that anything is possible—and within your power.
What hobbies or activities do you enjoy?
I have to admit that I’m a bit of a solitaire addict. I love playing it digitally. I also like crafting my own special greeting cards. I may have missed my calling there.
What’s your favorite restaurant?
I’m actually more of an eat-at-home person. My sister is an amazing cook and I can eat her cooking just about every meal.
Cubs or Sox?
I’m not really much of a baseball fan. But, since my beloved brother loved his White Sox, I’ll have to go with the Southsiders.
What do you like best about the Chicago area?
Chicago is a magical city. We are one of America’s great melting pots. We definitely have our challenges. But, when you get right down to it, show me a city with more opportunity, culture, and diversity than the Windy City.
A friend who has never been to the Chicago area is in town—where do you take them?
Anywhere Metra goes! Actually, that’s the hardest question to answer. We have a city filled with restaurants, museums, concerts, theaters and sporting events. Next question, please.
What does My Metra mean to you?
My Metra is our North Star. It’s about taking personal responsibility for our riders and each other. But I also think it’s how we want people to feel about Metra. Metra belongs to everyone. We provide an essential service to the region and, no matter who you are, we will get you to the places you need to be and the people you need to be with.
Meet Director Mimi L. Rodman
Mimi L. Rodman is the newest member of the Metra Board, joining in April 2023 after her appointment by north suburban members of the Cook County Board. A resident of the Chicago area since college, Ms. Rodman most recently served as the Executive Director of Stand for Children Illinois, a national advocacy organization fighting for education equity and racial justice. She also was senior legal counsel at Tribune Company and a partner at Kirkland & Ellis. She is married with two adult children.
Why did you want to join the Metra Board?
Access to safe, affordable, and reliable public transportation is vital to public safety, equity, and our environment.
What gives you hope about Metra’s future?
As part of my Board orientation, I toured the air brake shop, learned about the railcar and locomotive overhaul programs, and more. I am so impressed by the layers of skill and commitment from everyone I met and the conductors and ticket agents I interact with as a passenger. Metra’s future is bright because of them.
What are you looking forward to in the next 12 months?
I have professional experience working with the state legislature, albeit on education policy. I would like to use those skills and my legal background to help make sure public transportation is well funded.
Tell us something surprising about yourself.
There’s a little bathtub in our house that rarely gets used. When my kids were little, they won goldfish at the school carnival. The fish quickly outgrew the fishbowl, so, taking inspiration from the book, A Fish Out of Water, we moved the fish to that bathtub. Over the years, people would give us more fish. When our kids went to college, we returned the remaining two, Bubba and Savannah, to the pet store.
What hobbies or activities do you enjoy?
I love gardening, especially vegetables. I picked corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and a lot of herbs this weekend.
What’s your favorite restaurant?
Le Colonial but you can’t go wrong at the food court at H Mart.
Cubs or Sox?
Actually, it’s the New York Mets; it was part of the pre-wedding negotiation with my now husband of 33 years.
What do you like best about living in the Chicago area?
I chose to go to college and law school in Chicago and to work and raise my family in this area. I love its diversity, activism, culture, and change of seasons.
A friend who has never been to the Chicago area is in town—where do you take them?
If the weather is good, a walk to the very end of Navy Pier, then the Chicago River Walk and back along Lake Michigan to the Harbor. Of course, after that, we hop on a Metra train to any number of destinations!
What does My Metra mean to you?
As a board member, My Metra is a call to action to make sure we are serving our ridership well and being responsible stewards of public funds.
Meet Director Kenneth D. Koehler
Kenneth D. (Ken) Koehler, who also serves as the Board Treasurer, was appointed to the Metra Board of Directors in September 2015 by the McHenry County Board. He is a longtime resident of McHenry County and Crystal Lake and served on the McHenry County Board from 2000 to 2015 and as County Board Chairman from 2004 to 2012. For many years he owned and operated Flowerwood, a florist, nursery, garden center and greenhouse operation in Crystal Lake, until selling it in 2004. He and his wife of 54 years, Shirley, have two children and five grandchildren.
What do you like most about being a Board member?
There's always something new happening… And I see all the challenges and I like being involved in that.
Did you know about those challenges before you got on the board?
I did. When I became McHenry County Board chairman (in 2004), I had a lot of different feelings about Metra, and once I learned a lot more about what's involved in running the railroad, I became a supporter. I felt that it had a true value for the residents of McHenry County.
What gives you hope about Metra's future?
The region is realizing that there isn't a way that we can finance public transportation without a lot of good support and funding from the state and federal governments. We can't rely on ticket sales to carry us – it just won't happen. A regional railroad is definitely needed and I'm just happy that people are getting together to look at other means of funding.
What are you looking forward over the next year?
It's exciting to see that we're advancing on a long-range bridge replacement program as I'm very strong on safety with the bridges. And the fact that we have new passenger railcars on order is very exciting.
Tell me something surprising about yourself?
I was very involved in McHenry County Conservation District and in fact I was actually president of the district for three years. I've always had a passion for open space, protecting both flora and fauna.
What hobbies and activities do you like?
Sailing, powerboating, and hunting are the three things that I probably enjoy the most.
Do you have a favorite restaurant?
My favorite is The Breakers. It’s been in Crystal Lake for as long – actually longer – than I've lived here, and I moved to Crystal Lake in 1963.
How did you end up operating a nursery?
I had an uncle who was a German teacher at the high school, and when we moved here (from Skokie), he said, kid, you're gonna get in trouble if we don't get you a job. So, he got me a job working at Flowerwood when I was 15. The owner took a liking to me and ended up letting me become part of the company, a stockholder, a partial owner, and then, you know, eventually, president of the company.
Cubs or Sox?
I'm lifelong Cubs fan. When I was growing up in Skokie, I was able take the CTA down to Wrigley Field. Okay. And Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, an exciting guy, was then a player on the Cubs.
What do you like best about living in the Chicago area?
I'd like to say the weather, but I hate winter here. …There's a lot of diversity and opportunities to see so much and do so much here.
Where do you take someone if they've never been to the Chicago area before?
Chicago’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and if you haven’t seen it from the water, from Lake Michigan, it’s a whole different perspective.
What does My Metra mean to you?
What it means to me is family. And again, coming out of a railroad family on my father's side, railroad people are family – the Board members, the conductors, and the engineers, all the support staff. Every employee at Metra is so dedicated to the Metra mission.
Meet Director Joseph H. McMahon
Joseph H. McMahon was appointed to the Metra Board of Directors in May 2021 by the Chairman of the Kane County Board. Mr. McMahon, an attorney, is a co-founder of Griffin, Williams, McMahon & Walsh, LLP in Geneva and Chicago. He is an accomplished attorney in both the public and private sector having served as the state’s attorney for Kane County and an appointed special prosecutor in matters in Cook, Kendall, McHenry, and Winnebago counties, including and prosecution of former Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke for the murder of Laquan McDonald. He lives with his family in suburban Kane County.
What do you like most about being a Board Member?
It gives me an opportunity to improve the experience for our riders and address the transportation challenges of our region. Commuter rail plays an important role in the work-life balance of our riders. When our service is reliable, comfortable and safe then I feel like we have provided in a small way, a service that improves the daily lives of our customers.
What gives you hope about Metra’s future?
Our employees who make the trains run on time, keep them clean and safe, and the important role Metra plays in the vitality of Chicago, the suburbs and collar county region.
What are you looking forward to in 2023?
Seeing more of our riders return during the week and new riders use Metra to travel across the region and into Chicago.
Tell us something surprising about you or something most people don’t know about you?
When I was growing up I wanted to be a pilot but I’m color-blind so that disqualified me. I am the former state's attorney for Kane County and Special Prosecutor in the investigation and prosecution of former Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke for the murder of Laquan McDonald.
What hobbies or activities do you enjoy?
I enjoy running, biking and swimming (I completed two Ironman triathlons but now I’m a recovering triathlete) and golf. My wife and I also enjoying traveling to visit family in other states.
What’s your favorite restaurant?
McNally’s Irish Pub in St. Charles.
Cubs or Sox?
White Sox.
What do you like best about living in the Chicago area?
Kane County is a great mix of small and mid-size towns with some of the best schools in the state, and offers a friendly environment for businesses. The restaurants are great, it’s easy to get around and parking is almost always free. We also have easy access to a world-class city with lots of things to do depending on your interests; museums, professional and college sports, theatre, the lakefront, and amazing restaurants from “cheap eats” to world-class are all easily accessible to the entire region.
A friend who has never been to the Chicago area is in town – where do you take them?
We start the day with coffee at 318 Graham’s in Geneva and then we take Metra from the 3rd Street station in Geneva to Chicago. If it is over the holidays then a trip to the windows at Marshall Field’s (it’s now called Macy’s if you are new to Chicago), the Christkindlmarket, State Street and Michigan Avenue, and to complete the Chicago experience, Pizzeria Due for dinner. Everyone should experience Manny’s Deli or Jim’s Original for lunch, and if it’s summer, to a White Sox game (or that team on the North Side, especially for tourists).
Meet Director Melinda Bush
Melinda Bush was appointed to the Metra Board of Directors in February 2023 by the Chair of the Lake County Board. A lifelong resident of Lake County, she has served as a Grayslake village board trustee, a member of the Lake County Board and a state senator. She lives in Grayslake with her husband; they have one adult son.
What do you like most about being a Board Member?
I enjoy the collaboration and the opportunity to be part of moving our transportation into the future while being responsible stewards of the public’s money. It’s always about balance. These are challenging times for public transportation systems and I’m excited about the opportunities that invariably go along with challenges.
What gives you hope about Metra’s future?
COVID really reduced our ridership numbers, but we see ridership increasing every month. Our leadership knows we must look closely at how and to whom we deliver services. Metra must become more than a commuter railroad and working with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), we are focusing on how we get there.
What are you looking forward to in 2023?
Obviously, we look forward to increased ridership but I’m excited to see the work from CMAP and I can’t wait to be part of implementing those recommendations.
Tell us something surprising about you or something most people don’t know about you?
I don’t really have anything that I would call something surprising. I’m a good problem solver and I focus on empowering others to be their best.
What hobbies or activities do you enjoy?
I love gardening, travel, and being outdoors… whether it’s on the patio with a cup of coffee, riding my bike or taking a long walk in one of our many forest preserves in Lake County.
What’s your favorite restaurant?
The Vine in Grayslake
Cubs or Sox?
Cubs for sure but I root for the Sox, too!
What do you like best about living in the Chicago area?
I love living where I can walk to my downtown and in Lake County, we have more than 30,000 acres of forest preserves! We have access to everything! I live in the suburbs but with Metra I am a train ride away to some of world’s best museums, theater, dining, health care, hospitals and a lake front that is second to none. We have an amazing quality of life.
A friend who has never been to the Chicago area is in town – where do you take them?
We show them downtown Grayslake, show off our open land and take the train to the city! Gotta see the Bean, the fountain, and the Mag Mile… grab a Chicago-style hot dog or a Lou Malnati’s pizza and have a drink at Cindy’s to enjoy the amazing view. We’re so proud to share our beautiful city.
What does My Metra mean to you?
That it’s mine, it belongs to me and everyone that uses it.
Meet Vice Chair Don Orseno
Director Don Orseno worked for the railroad for 43 years, including four years as Metra’s CEO/Executive Director. He retired from that position and from the railroad in 2017, but was tapped to serve on the Metra Board in 2019 by the head of the Will County Board. He lives in Manhattan with his wife; they have a daughter who has three children and a son who has two.
What do you like most about being a Board Member?
I enjoy serving our community and staying connected with the railroad I grew up on. I am ready to share my experience, background and knowledge of Metra and railroad operations. My experience and qualifications will help me do a good job serving the residents of Will County and the entire Chicago region.
What do you hope happens in Metra’s future?
I hope Metra continues to grow and serve the region as the most viable way to commute between the city and surrounding area. Metra’s future is bright and I’m confident commuters will come to rely on it as the best mode of transportation for all their travel needs whether is for work, leisure or to explore local areas they’ve never been to before.
What are you looking forward to in 2023?
I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and work hard to be properly funded. We need to invest in new cars and new locomotives. I will work hard to provide better schedules and service for our commutes and well as invest in our stations and improve the overall customer experience.
Tell us something surprising about you or something most people don’t know about you?
I play pickleball. I started playing about five years ago and really enjoy it.
What other activities do you enjoy?
My wife and enjoy boating and of course spending time with our kids and grandchildren. We are very involved grandparents and try to go to every Jiu Jitsu, basketball and cheerleading event, family is very important to us.
What’s your favorite restaurant?
Mr. Benny’s Steak and Lobster House, a family-owned restaurant in Mokena. We’ve been going there for years, everything on their menu is fantastic.
Cubs or Sox?
I’m a Chicago fan and have the best of both worlds because my son and daughter in law are Sox fans and my daughter and son in law are Cubs fans – I can’t go wrong! I’m more football fan myself, I am a Bears fan but I really enjoy watching the Blackhawks. What can I say, I cheer for Chicago.
What do you like best about living in the Chicago area?
Chicago is home. I grew up here and my children and now grandchildren get to have the same experience. Chicago is a vivid and vibrant city with wonderful restaurants, museums, sport teams and entertainment. This city has it all.
A friend who has never been to the Chicago area is in town – where do you take them?
How long is the friend staying because there is a lot to do. Navy Pier, and along the lakefront of course. I’d also have to take them to some local treasures like Al’s Beef because nothing says Chicago like an Italian beef or hotdog.
What does My Metra mean to you?
Pride. It’s humbling to see both our customers and employees take pride and ownership in their public transportation.
Meet Director Rodney S. Craig
Rodney Craig, who serves as the Board Secretary, was appointed to the Metra Board of Directors in 2013 by northwest suburban members of the Cook County Board. He is now in his fifth term as Village President of Hanover Park, just one example of his extensive involvement in public service. He worked in systems operations with the Federal Aviation Administration, retiring in 2009 after 39 years. He and his family have lived in Hanover Park since 1974.
What do you like most about being a Board Member?
As a mayor, I like contributing my perspective about the trials and tribulations of suburban mayors. My goal is the safety of our residents. I am always seeking to understand across all borders and boundaries.
What gives you hope about Metra’s future?
I am hopeful about our long-term plans to continue the restoration of our rolling stock as we evaluate alternative fuel options.
What are you looking forward to in 2023?
I look forward to seeing the continuation of our quality marketing efforts and the restoration of our ridership.
Tell us something surprising about you or something most people don’t know about you?
I served in the U.S. Navy, where I enlisted after being drafted in 1968. I ultimately had three tours of duty in Vietnam over six years.
What hobbies or activities do you enjoy?
I am a car enthusiast. And I enjoy being a political activist for the people of Hanover Park and our excellent schools.
What’s your favorite restaurant?
I really like Pilot Pete’s in Schaumburg.
Cubs or Sox?
Cubs
What do you like best about living in the Chicago area?
There are lots of things to like about living here, but what I like best is the diversity across the region.
A friend who has never been to the Chicago area is in town – where do you take them?
I’d probably take them to a Cubs game and then explore Navy Pier and River North.
What does My Metra mean to you?
It means taking ownership for an exceptionally managed commuter railroad.
Meet Director Paul Ruffin
Paul E. Ruffin of Homewood was appointed to the Metra Board in June 2021 by south suburban members of the Cook County Board. A St. Louis native and University of Missouri grad, he has nearly three decades of experience in account management, sales, and IT consulting, with special focus on process improvement, supplier diversity and minority business development. He is currently employed at Cigna in the health insurance provider’s government and education division. He has two children and three grandchildren.
What do you like about being a Board member?
I like the fact that we have a direct connection and impact on something that people depend on every day. I like knowing that the decisions that the 11 of us make, or the input that we give, or the committees that we serve on, or the things that we volunteer about, really helps those people. That is why I'm on the Board finance committee. There may be people who don't know what it's like for riders in Harvey, in Calumet City, to scrounge together money and to afford the train. I appreciate being the voice for those individuals.
What gives you hope about Metro's future?
It’s a well-run machine and there are an awful lot of people from different walks of life here who are making significant decisions. I always think that the members of leadership, who have the voice and who are making decisions, need to mirror the universe of the people that we serve. It’s really important to have diversity of thought, diversity of look, diversity of people, diversity of ideas. As that begins to happen more and more and more, it will be for to the betterment of the agency as it goes into the future.
Why is that issue of diversity so important to you?
I think you shut yourself off when you don’t have it. You may have a group of individuals who say we do it that way because that's how we've always done it. When you have different individuals from different walks of life from different places coming aboard, they can sprinkle something in and say, okay, well, I understand that we used to do it that way, but, you know, maybe we could tweak that a little bit and do it this way and there would be the benefit to that. I've just never been in a situation in my personal or professional life where diversity of thought and diversity of ideas didn't positively contribute in the short term or long term.
Is there anything you're looking forward to in 2023 or, or beyond at Metra?
I'm looking forward to seeing what ideas come in for us to increase ridership. I'm really interested in what ideas will come out of this new way that people are taking transportation, right? I work for a company that has a hybrid model – you just have to come in two days a week. If that's going to be the norm for more cases than not, we've got to be more creative. So, I'm looking forward to the challenge of getting our ridership back. It's not going to be a cakewalk.
Tell us something surprising about yourself, or something most people don't know.
I was a professional jazz musician in Manhattan, in New York City, for a number of years before I moved back to the Midwest. I was a jazz drummer and a jazz pianist. I was with a pretty tight group back then.
How long ago was that?
Oh, I don't want to say. Let's say, in my twenties.
What hobbies or activities do you enjoy now?
I've got three grandchildren. I love spending time with them. I have a daughter who's a sophomore in college. I like going through the ups and downs with her in regard to where she is in life. She's a band nerd, like her dad was. Same college (Mizzou), same band.
Do you have a favorite restaurant?
It’d a tie: El Porcellino, an Italian restaurant on Hubbard, and Gibson’s Italia on Canal.
I don't know if I should ask this question if you're from St. Louis. Cubs or Sox fan?
I have no dog in that fight. I am a Cardinals fan, yes.
What do you like best about living in the Chicago area?
There's so much to do. I've been here since ’98, and you think that you've conquered it all – I've seen all the museums, I've been to all the attractions, I've been to all the restaurants, and then those restaurants go away and a whole new bunch come up. So, it's always a new city.
Where do you take an out-of-town visitor?
I'd make sure they saw one of the plays here. I'd make sure they saw something like Wicked or 1776 or when Hamilton comes back in September. And I take them to hear some live jazz, at some offbeat speakeasy or somewhere that's very Chicago.
What does My Metra mean to you?
I'm glad we use that tagline because – this is along that diversity of thought piece we talked about earlier – you can ask 15 different people that question and may not get the same answer. You know, “Metra means this to me,” or, “I use Metra to get to work,” or “I use the Metra for events,” or “I'd be lost if I didn't have Metra.” Metra meets the individual needs of the individual person. That’s what I love about that tagline, because Metra means so much to so many different people.
Meet Director Steve Palmer
Last year was a significant year for Director Steve Palmer, who was appointed to the Metra Board of Directors in 2016 by southwest suburban members of the Cook County Board. After owning and operating his family restaurant, Palmer Place in his hometown of LaGrange, for 20 years, Palmer sold it last year and opened the Stadium Club at the Max restaurant in McCook. He is married with two adult children.
Do you like being on the Board?
Love it. I love learning about the railroad business and the incredible work that goes into it. I love being a part of government and doing work for the citizens and our riders. And I love immersing myself with the various departments – a tie gang, the DBE Department – and learning even more.
What are you looking forward to at Metra?
The new cars are going to be amazing and game-changing. I know it's two years before we see them, but I can’t wait.
Tell us something about yourself that would be surprising or that most people wouldn't know.
I’m really an open book. People who know me know that I don't hold back and I'm as genuine and honest as I can be. But here’s something most people wouldn't know: I sang in the choir in high school.
Do you still sing?
Only in the shower. But one of my personal goals is to learn a karaoke song and I have the courage to get up and do that.
What hobbies or activities do you, do you enjoy?
Anytime you can have any family time, in my business and in my world, is definitely important. I'll say I'm not a good golfer.
We’re not going to ask you what your favorite restaurant is, but what's your second favorite?
In my neighborhood there's a restaurant called Posto 31 (in La Grange Park). It’s locally owned, with a local chef. It’s a small place but has phenomenal food.
Cubs or Sox?
I am a huge, massive Cubs fan who also appreciates the Sox. The only time I would ever root against the Sox is when they're playing the Cubs.
Is that allowed as Chicagoan to like both of them?
Well, I think that that goes along with my moderate politics. I'm more of a centrist. I want to bring people together and do things for the right reasons and not for, you know, what's popular.
What do you like best about living in the Chicago area?
LaGrange is a phenomenal town, with phenomenal schools, a safe community with a great business district. And there’s this amazing city downtown with an amazing lake and beaches. And I always say, for me, going to a Cubs game is like going to church
What does My Metra mean to you?
It’s the pride that we have in the jobs that we do here, and the camaraderie, which is pretty darn incredible. And for our riders it’s the fact that they can rely on getting on a safe, reliable, timely train. There's a loyalty that comes with My Metra, from the riders and from the staff all the way up to the board.
Meet Director Wes Becton
Julius W. Becton III, who goes by Wes, serves on several boards, including the Metra Board of Directors (appointed in 2021 by the DuPage County Chairman). But while being a board member was not new to him, Metra certainly was. The Elmhurst resident, father of three and grandfather of two has enjoyed learning the ropes. He is the CEO and co-founder of George Washington Street Partners, a consulting firm that specializes in business consulting and executive leadership coaching.
What do you like best about being on the Metra Board?
It's something completely different and I have enjoyed learning and understanding the business and environment.
What does My Metra mean to you?
It means we are there when you need us. We’re a resource and an opportunity to help simplify your life.
Tell us something about yourself that people don't know.
I did a TED Talk earlier this year. The topic was, “Be Curious, Don't be Judgmental” – if you ever watched the show, Ted Lasso, that's where I stole it from. It was an opportunity to share a message about not being judgmental, which I think has resonated with people.
Could you describe your day job?
My wife would say I'm a collector of careers. I was an infantry officer in the Army. After the army I got into healthcare administration, was eventually the president of an ophthalmology group. At one point my wife suggested I hire an executive coach. I did, and it was transformational. Within two hours, the coach had me connecting the dots on some things that had dogged me my entire professional life. So now that's what I get to do for my clients.
Is that a skillset that help you be a good board member?
It helps me ask better questions. When you take a step back and you ask a question because you're curious, it usually comes across different and draws people in instead of pushing them away and making them defensive.
What hobbies or activities do you like?
I absolutely love to golf.
Cubs or Sox?
I didn't grow up in Chicago. So, I'm a baseball fan. I can go with either team.
Do you apply your executive coaching to your golf skills?
I do. And it's made me a better golfer – having the humility to say, I need help, and taking lesson, being fully present It's been transformational.
Where are you from?
I had a different upbringing. My dad was a career Army officer, fought in three wars and in segregated units in WWII and Korea. He is a pretty successful guy who retired as a three-star general in 1983. That meant I went to 17 different schools, kindergarten through college, all over the world. I moved to Elmhurst from Germany when I was done in the Army.
You must like it there.
Love Elmhurst. Love the community. We found a great church and we’re very involved in the community. I get to serve on the board of Trustees at Elmhurst University and my wife is on the Library board.
Meet Director Ricardo Estrada
Director Ricardo Estrada, who was appointed to the Metra Board in 2021 by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, is currently the CEO of Metropolitan Family Services, one of Illinois’s largest human service agencies. He’s no stranger to big organizations, but Metra’s complexity was a surprise. The resident of Chicago’s Northwest Side is a father of two adult daughters.
Do you like being on the Board?
I enjoy it, but I still feel like I am new in many ways. This is a big, complicated business within a giant industry that has so many interrelationships and agreements and permissions and so on. The logistics are very complex.
What are you looking forward to in Metra’s future?
There are going to be significant investments in everything related to capital, from bridges to rails to stations to ADA compliance. I'm looking forward to seeing that transformation. And I'm looking forward to improving accessibility in neighborhoods that are far south and in other places, so everyone has better access to the wonderful downtown we have here.
Tell us something surprising about yourself or something most people don't know.
As a young man, I was pretty adventurous. I've traveled to over 35 countries, over 100s cities – mostly on pennies. One of the highlights of those experiences was running with the Bulls in Pamplona. It was one of the most exhilarating and stupidest things I ever done.
What hobbies or activities do you like to do?
For most of my life, a played a lot of sports. Now that I'm getting older, it's pretty hard to play sports anymore, but I still play basketball every once in a while. I still like to ride my bike and I need to start taking guitar lessons again.
Cubs or Sox?
Cubs, but I don't hate the Sox. In fact, I like 'em, but I'm a Cubs fan. My brother's a Sox fan.
How did that happen?
You know, he's just not that smart. (Laughs). No, my family members were all Sox fans, but one time by grandfather was visiting and he wanted to see a baseball game and the Sox weren’t in town and we went to Wrigley. And I’ve been a Cubs fan ever since.
What do you like best about living in the Chicago area?
I've been to a lot of cities in the world. There are a lot of great ones, but to have the energy, the culture, the institutions, the neighborhoods in a city that you can navigate pretty easily, I just think it’s the best city in the world. I don't think I could live anywhere else.
Where do you take somebody from out of town who's never been to Chicago before?
I take them to Rosa's Lounge, because we have a reputation for blues and jazz, and I like taking people to a more authentic, smaller place in a neighborhood closest to where I live. And then I bring them downtown to all the tourist traps.
What does My Metra mean to you?
It means we should all think about it as our public resource. We are as taxpayers directly subsidizing this public resource that is meant for us, and helps the city and region thrive.