Melanie P. serves as the Program Director at the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan since May 2023, overseeing strategy, policy, and organizational operations while supporting the board of directors. With over 14 years of experience in public service, Melanie held positions including Mayor and City Council member in the City of Ferndale, as well as Chief of Staff at the Detroit Regional Partnership. Previous roles include Chief Operating Officer at Jefferson East, Inc., and Engagement Strategist at the Downtown Detroit Partnership. Melanie's background also includes work as a freelance consultant and project manager across various organizations, with a strong focus on urban planning and community engagement. Academic credentials feature a Master's in Urban Planning from Wayne State University and multiple executive programs at Harvard Kennedy School.
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Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan
The RTA was created by the Michigan Legislature through Public Act No. 387 of 2012. A 10-member board that is appointed for three-year terms by the county executives of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, the chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, the Mayor of Detroit, and the Governor of Michigan governs it. The Governor’s appointee serves as chair, without a vote. The purpose of the RTA is to plan for and coordinate public transportation in the four-county region, including the City of Detroit, and to deliver rapid transit in a region where none exists. It is the entity through which transit providers must apply for state and federal funds, and through which those funds are allocated to providers. The RTA is also responsible for developing a Regional Master Transit Plan to guide present and future service and is empowered to put funding questions on the ballot for public vote.