Director
Brian Shanahan, a lifelong resident of Will County and a respected labor leader, was appointed to the Metra Board of Directors by Will County.
Shanahan's journey in transit began at Metra in 2008 as a clerical employee, where he gained invaluable frontline experience across various departments, including mailroom, janitorial, payroll, storehouse, and track tower operations. This early exposure provided him with comprehensive insight into the agency's inner workings and the critical role of its workforce.
A dedicated advocate for working families, Shanahan has served in numerous leadership capacities within the International Association of Machinists (IAM) and the Transportation Communications Union/IAM since 2016. His progression through roles, including Assistant National Representative, National Representative, and National Vice President, culminated in his appointment as Railroad Coordinator for the IAM in March 2024. Over the years, he’s honed his expertise in collective bargaining, agency finance, and high-level advocacy for robust transit systems in Illinois.
Beyond his union leadership, Shanahan has actively contributed to regional development initiatives, serving as a member of the Will Kankakee Regional Development Authority, the Illinois High-Speed Railway Commission, the Chicago Access/Michigan East Program, and the Peoria to Chicago High-Speed Rail Passenger Project.
