June 10, 2026 | 11:00 AM (EDT) | Virtual via Zoom
STATUS OF CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS FOR THE BOARD ELECTION 2026 - 2027
A. Board Members ending their term and standing for re-election:
Transit System Members:
- Tony D’Alessandro, Milton Transit
Business Members:
- Tom Glover, MTB Transit Solutions
B. Board Members ending their term and not standing for re-election:
- Catherine Baldelli, Burlington Transit
- Kyle Catney, York Region Transit
C. Board Members in Mid-Term who resigned or are not standing for re-election
N/A
D. Board Members in Mid-Term and continuing to serve for the remainder of their term.
Transit System Members:
- Kelly Paleczny, London Transit Commission
- Carla Stout, Niagara Transit Commission
- Doug Spooner, Grand River Transit
- Haley D’Angelo, Ontario Northland
- Adrian Kawun, Oakville Transit
- Kyla Marrin, Toronto Transit Commission
Business Member:
- Sasha Pejcic, BetterFleet
- Kirsten Watson, AECOM
E. Nomination Committee:
- Kelly Paleczny, Chair
- Adrian Kawun, Oakville Transit
- Sasha Pejcic, BetterFleet
Register for the 2026 AGM and Board Meeting
2026 Board Nominees
Transit System
Alex Carr, OC Transpo
A brief summary of Nominee’s professional experience to date
Alex Carr is a public transit leader with 20 years of experience at OC Transpo in Ottawa. He has held progressive leadership roles across transit planning, customer service, information technology, marketing, and strategic support. He’s guided large multidisciplinary teams through exciting system transformations like the opening of O-Train light rail lines, complex service changes, and customer improvements like open payments, websites and digital travel tools. Alex brings deep expertise in employee engagement, customer experience, communications, and non fare revenue. He’s also been an active participant in many North American transit industry committees and development programs and is a graduate of APTA’s Emerging Leaders program. Alex recently received a Masters Certificate in Municipal Leadership from York University.
Alex Carr is interested in serving on the OPTA Board of Directors because he wants to advance public transit priorities across Ontario. He is motivated by the opportunity to learn from peers and sector partners, while sharing practical experience and strategic insight from his work at a transit agency. He would bring to the Board a belief that partnerships, good data, and a focus on equity and accessibility lead to better decisions, improved rider experience, and stronger public trust. Alex believes collaborative relationships, structured and casual information sharing, and professional development are key to a strong transit sector. Joining the OPTA Board would be a rewarding opportunity to contribute to the long term strength and success of Ontario’s transit industry.
Anthony Pezzetti, Durham Region Transit
A brief summary of Nominee’s professional experience to date
Anthony Pezzetti is a senior public transit executive with more than 25 years of experience delivering safe, reliable, and customer focused bus and rail mobility services within large, complex transportation systems. His career reflects a deep commitment to advancing public transit as a critical component of sustainable, accessible, and integrated urban mobility.
Anthony brings Board level expertise in transit operations, fleet and asset strategy, infrastructure delivery, safety and risk oversight, workforce leadership, and organizational transformation. He has led enterprise scale initiatives that balance customer needs, fiscal stewardship, regulatory compliance, and long term system resilience.
Anthony is currently the Deputy General Manager Operations for Durham Region Transit, a role he has held for two years. In that role, he is responsible for service planning and delivery of DRT’s scheduled, on demand and specialized transit, along with overseeing the operations Safety and Training department.
During his 18-years with Metrolinx, Anthony held senior leadership roles within GO Bus, GO Rail and was the Lead for the delivery and operational readiness of the new Union Station Bus Terminal.
Throughout his roles at Durham Region Transit and Metrolinx, Anthony has collaborated extensively across government agencies, municipal partners, private operators, and industry stakeholders, contributing to policy informed decision making and sector wide best practices.
A brief description of Nominee’s interest in the position, and why you would like to serve on the OPTA Board.
I am interested in serving on OPTA’s Board of Directors because I am deeply committed to advancing strong, effective, and customer‑focused transit through thoughtful governance and collaborative leadership. Throughout my career, I have worked at the junction of operations, maintenance, customer service, vendor management, and strategic program delivery, and I am motivated to contribute these perspectives to strengthen and improve public transit through advocacy and information sharing.
My professional background in leading complex transit programs has provided me with a strong understanding of governance, accountability, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. I have worked closely with government officials, executive teams, frontline staff, service partners, and external vendors, giving me a practical, system‑wide view of how board decisions translate into operational outcomes and customer experience.
I would bring to the Board a collaborative and inclusive leadership style, a strong focus on customer and member value, and a commitment to continuous improvement for the mobility industry. My experience chairing internal engagement initiatives and leading charitable and community programs reflects my belief in the importance of culture, integrity, and service‑oriented leadership, qualities I believe are essential at the board level.
I am confident that my operational expertise, strategic mindset, and passion for building resilient, forward‑looking transit organizations would allow me to make a meaningful and constructive contribution to the Board of Directors and to the Association as a whole.
Paul Buck, Metrolinx
A brief summary of Nominee’s professional experience to date
I began my career in public transit in October 2000 and bring more than 25 years of progressive experience across large, medium, and small transit systems. My background spans operations, training, scheduling, and system planning, providing me with a strong, practical understanding of the challenges transit agencies face in delivering safe, reliable, and affordable service while responding to ridership growth and fiscal pressures.
A consistent focus of my career has been advancing practical innovation—introducing solutions that improve service quality, operational efficiency, and customer experience without losing sight of affordability and workforce impacts. This led me to pioneer the use of conventional buses for on demand transit services, an approach that improved mobility in lower density communities and earned the 2019 CUTA Corporate Leadership Award for Innovation in Transit.
As transit systems across Ontario work to recover ridership, modernize fleets, and integrate new technologies, I have continued to focus on solutions that are scalable and achievable for agencies of all sizes. In 2022, I expanded my impact by joining Metrolinx as Senior Project Lead for the Transit Procurement Initiative, where I support transit agencies across Ontario with the procurement of vehicles, technology, and services. This role provides direct insight into shared challenges such as supply chain constraints, market volatility, fleet renewal pressures, and the need for coordinated procurement strategies that deliver value and reduce risk.
From July 2020 to September 2022, I was privileged to serve on the OPTA Board of Directors, contributing during a period marked by pandemic recovery, funding uncertainty, and rapid operational change. I would welcome the opportunity to return to the Board and continue supporting OPTA’s mission as agencies navigate funding pressures, ridership growth, technology adoption, and workforce sustainability across the province.
A brief description of Nominee’s interest in the position, and why you would like to serve on the OPTA Board.
I am seeking election to the OPTA Board of Directors to actively support the Association’s role as a strong collective voice for public transit in Ontario—particularly at a time when stable funding, coordinated advocacy, and peer collaboration are more important than ever.
OPTA’s focus on sustainable funding, ridership growth, affordability, and knowledge sharing strongly aligns with my professional experience and current role. Through the Transit Procurement Initiative, I regularly work with agencies facing the financial and operational realities that OPTA has highlighted—aging fleets, rising costs, service expectations, and the challenge of implementing new technologies responsibly and equitably. I bring a province wide perspective that complements OPTA’s advocacy efforts related to the Dedicated Public Transit Fund, capital investment, and long term system sustainability.
I believe strongly in OPTA’s value as a forum for collaboration, peer learning, and practical problem solving, particularly for smaller and mid sized agencies that benefit from shared resources and collective advocacy. I am committed to supporting OPTA’s work in strengthening connections between agencies, business members, and partners, and in translating innovation into real world improvements for operators and customers alike.
If elected, I would bring a collaborative, solutions focused approach to the Board, grounded in operational experience and informed by current procurement, market, and technology trends. My goal would be to help OPTA continue advancing safe, affordable, accessible, and resilient public transit systems that support Ontario’s communities today and into the future.
Richard Montoya, York Region Transit (YRT)
A brief summary of Nominee’s professional experience to date
Richard has been an employee of the Regional Municipality of York since 2009. He has fulfilled a variety of planning, design, construction, operations, and maintenance roles within the Region’s Public Works Department and since 2016 has been with York Region Transit (YRT). In his time at YRT, he has overseen the state of good repair and growth of transit facilities and fleet while managing a comprehensive multi year capital and operating budget. He has overseen the transit fleet electrification plan for YRT and been successful in navigating funding opportunities with federal partners (ZETF, CPTF) to advance transit in York Region. Since 2023, as the Director – Transit, Richard has been responsible for leadership, strategic planning, and continuous improvement for YRTs conventional, BRT, and Mobility services as well as the fleet, facilities, service planning, and enforcement teams. During this time, he has worked with neighboring transit agencies and the province on important transit initiatives like One Fare, Presto, the Metrolinx Transit Procurement Initiative, and continued advocacy for sustainable funding sources.
A brief description of Nominee’s interest in the position, and why you would like to serve on the OPTA Board.
Richard is a believer in collaboration and working together to find solutions that make transit agencies stronger. He encourages his teams to work with transit agency colleagues to share information, lessons learned, and support others when needed. His experience in participating and negotiating agreements for funding on behalf of YRT provide him with insights that can be shared with other agencies. Likewise, YRTs current progress on its transit fleet electrification plan provides him with an opportunity to share experiences and bring awareness to pressures that could benefit from advocacy or alignment among transit agencies. He is interested in continuing YRTs history of representation, contribution, and participation in OPTA’s efforts tom improve transit across the province. He also looks forward to identifying shared areas for collaboration and raising awareness for current and upcoming transit pressures.
Ryan Booth, Brampton Transit
A brief summary of Nominee’s professional experience to date
Trained as a 310T Truck and Coach Technician, Ryan brings more than 25 years of hands-on technical experience and over 20 years of leadership within the transit industry. After completing his apprenticeship and successfully challenging the Certificate of Qualification to obtain his license, Ryan began his career in the trucking industry before transitioning to bus maintenance and joining Brampton Transit.
Throughout his career at Brampton Transit, Ryan has held a wide range of progressively senior roles, including Vehicle Maintenance Technician, Foreperson, Supervisor, Senior Supervisor, Senior Manager of Maintenance, and most recently, Director of Transit Operations and Maintenance. This diverse experience has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of transit operations, maintenance, and organizational leadership.
Ryan is passionate about tackling the challenges associated with emerging bus technologies and leading their integration to meet the evolving needs of Brampton Transit and its customers. He currently serves as Chair of the Ontario Public Transit Association’s Maintenance Committee and is an active member of Brampton Transit’s management team, playing a key leadership role in the organization’s transition to a zero-emission bus fleet.
A brief description of Nominee’s interest in the position, and why you would like to serve on the OPTA Board.
I am interested in joining the OPTA Board because of my strong commitment to advancing public transportation in Ontario and supporting OPTA’s role as a unified advocate for the industry. With 18 years of experience in maintenance and transit operations, I bring a practical, front-line perspective that aligns with OPTA’s priorities of operational excellence, safety, asset management, and workforce development.
Serving on the Board would allow me to contribute to advocacy efforts, support innovation, and help develop solutions that strengthen service reliability and long-term sustainability for member agencies. I value collaboration and would welcome the opportunity to work with transit leaders across the province to help drive positive, measurable change.
Stephen Labelle, Saugeen Mobility
A brief summary of Nominee’s professional experience to date
Stephen Labelle is a senior executive with over 20 years of leadership experience in public administration, operations, governance, logistics, and service delivery, with a strong current focus on transportation. He currently serves as General Manager of Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit (SMART), where he leads Canada’s largest geographically based rural specialized transit organization (6500sq km), serving multiple municipalities across Grey and Bruce Counties. In this role, he is responsible for transit service delivery, strategic planning, board governance support, municipal and stakeholder relations, budgeting, policy development, operational performance, and organizational modernization.
In his current position, Stephen works directly on issues central to Ontario’s transit sector, including rural mobility, specialized transit, accessibility, service integration, fleet sustainability, funding pressures, customer service, and the use of technology to improve scheduling, reporting, and operational efficiency. He also works closely with municipal partners, board members, and regional stakeholders on broader transit planning and governance questions, including service growth, regional coordination, and long-term sustainability.
Before joining SMART, Stephen held a series of progressively senior leadership roles with the Government of Canada and the Department of National Defence, including CAO-equivalent and national-level management appointments. Across those roles, he led complex operations, managed significant human and material resources, supported executive decision-making, and drove organizational effectiveness in demanding environments. He has also contributed to leadership development and professional education as an adjunct professor at the Canadian Forces College.
A brief description of Nominee’s interest in the position, and why you would like to serve on the OPTA Board.
I am interested in serving on the OPTA Board because I want to contribute to the advancement of public transit in Ontario, particularly from the perspective of rural, specialized, and community transit. In my current role as General Manager of Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit, I work directly on issues such as accessibility, service integration, funding sustainability, operational performance, and long-term planning. I believe I offer the OPTA Board a valuable combination of executive leadership, governance knowledge, and direct transit experience, along with a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing public transit systems, particularly in rural, specialized, and community transit settings across Ontario. I would welcome the opportunity to bring that experience to the Board, contribute to sector-wide collaboration and knowledge sharing, and help ensure that the realities of smaller and rural transit providers are reflected in OPTA’s work.
Tony D' Alessandro, Milton Transit
A brief summary of Nominee’s professional experience to date
My career in the transit industry began in 2004 as a Transit Planner with Oakville Transit. In this role, I was responsible for planning and scheduling conventional transit service, producing operator paddles/boards, and providing input on proposed developments across the Town. In 2007, I joined the Town of Milton as Coordinator, Transit, where I helped lay the groundwork for building a transit system from the ground up in a rapidly growing community. In my current role as Director, Transit Services, I have led a number of strategic initiatives that have increased the Town’s profile in transit, strengthened community engagement, advanced service investment, and secured Council support.
I have served on the OPTA Board of Directors since September 2015 and currently hold the position of Treasurer on the Executive Board. I also serve as an active representative on the CUTA Board of Directors, providing a voice for small transit systems. Together, these experiences have broadened my perspective on the public transit industry and strengthened my ability to support and advance advocacy efforts.
A brief description of Nominee’s interest in the position, and why you would like to serve on the OPTA Board.
Please accept this as my expression of interest to serve on the OPTA Board of Directors for the 2026–2028 term. I am committed to the Board’s mandate and to supporting its members, and I believe I can continue to contribute through my experience, integrity, and service-oriented approach. With more than 18 years of progressive transit experience—particularly within a small and rapidly growing system—I bring a practical perspective to issues such as advocacy, government relations, and priority awareness. I am also a continuous learner and would value the opportunity to work with Board colleagues to share insights and help address emerging challenges across the transit industry.
On a personal note, I value being part of an industry where experiences are valued and openly shared. As an OPTA Board member, I would continue to champion diverse perspectives and knowledge-sharing to support the ongoing evolution of public transit.
Business/Affiliate
Ana-Maria Tomlinson, CSA Group
A brief summary of Nominee’s professional experience to date
An experienced standards professional with proven ability to build and nurture collaborative relationships with key stakeholders. Energetic and passionate about supporting innovation through research and standardization. Effective project management and business development skills, and seasoned in leading complex multi-stakeholder projects, from project conceptualization through to deliverable completion. Detail-oriented with a strong analytical background.
CSA Group – Work Experience
Standards Director, Strategic and Cross-Sector Programs April 2023 – Present
• Providing leadership and strategic direction to launch, establish, and grow new standards sectors at CSA Group, in the areas of Transit and Passenger Rail, and Agriculture and Agrifood.
• Establishing major contacts and effective working relationships with decision makers in Provincial and Federal Government(s) Departments and agencies to promote, discover, influence and facilitate emerging Standards development opportunities.
• In conjunction with Standards leadership, creating strategic direction for the development of new Standards programs in high priority sectors and subject areas.
• Interacting with CSA members, associations, organizations, consumer groups, contractors and academia to design effective standards development solutions, and promote the development of safety, performance, and sustainability standards as a societal need and benefit.
• Leading and overseeing strategic advisory groups composed of senior-level experts and industry members, facilitating strategic discussions to guide the development of new standards programs.
• Collaborating with other standards development organizations nationally and internationally to share best practices, and ensure alignment of standards across Canada and globally.
Manager, Strategic Initiatives November 2016 – March 2023
Environment and Business Excellence, Construction and Infrastructure Standards
• Leveraged significant knowledge of standards industry, government policy, and industry environment, including sector stakeholders, environment, leading edge trends, risks, influencers to advance standards programs.
• Applied industry knowledge to identify potential emerging trends and technologies, and enhance existing areas of activities, and incubated new standards-based opportunities, including key CSA research-based initiatives.
• Conceptualized and helped launched new standards programs, and managed key strategic initiatives for the Construction and Infrastructure Sector and the Environment and Business Excellence Sector.
• Initiated and nurtured business relationships with private sector, academic institutions, provincial and federal governments, and research groups to grow standards programs.
• Researched, incubated, and successfully launched new standards programs across several subject areas including, modular high-rise construction, climate change adaptation, low carbon construction materials, natural and nature-based solutions, and environmental DNA.
Project Manager February 2014 – October 2016
Environment and Business Excellence, Construction and Infrastructure Standards
• Facilitated development of accredited standards by CSA Group volunteer committee members, including convening in-person and virtual meetings.
• Established and actively managed project scope of work, processes, schedules, resource requirements (e.g., funding, personnel), costs, quality, and risk.
• Managed day-to-day committee activities, including preparing and maintaining records (e.g., meeting agendas, minutes), managing the development of technical content, and working with members to prepare high quality documents.
• Collaborated with committee leadership (Chairs and Vice-Chairs) to manage committee operations and membership, including member recruitment, ensuring committee balance, and addressing performance.
• Worked with the committees and apply sector knowledge to identify potential new business opportunities (e.g., new standards requirements, research, training and education programs).
Previous work experience
• AMEC NSS – Assistant Analyst, Risk Management May 2008 – August 2009
• AMEC NSS – Internship Student, Operations Engineering May 2006 – August 2007
Qualifications
• 10 years of experience in standard development, project management, and business development
• Extensive knowledge of codes and standards development process
• 4 publications in peer-reviewed academic journals
Education
• University of Edinburgh, Doctor of Philosophy – Chemical Engineering
• University of Toronto, Bachelor of Applied Science – Chemical Engineering, Dean’s Honour List
I am writing to express my interest in serving on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Public Transit Association (OPTA). As a senior leader with extensive experience working at the intersection of public policy, standards development, infrastructure systems, and multi stakeholder governance, I am motivated to contribute my expertise to advancing OPTA’s mission as the collective voice for public transit in Ontario.
In my current role as Director of Standards Development at CSA Group, I lead national and international initiatives that support the safety, reliability, sustainability, and modernization of transit and passenger rail systems. My work spans railway safety, zero-emission buses, accessibility and inclusive design, asset management, climate resilience, and railway project efficiency. This requires close collaboration with transit agencies, municipal and provincial governments, regulators, operators, suppliers, and industry associations to translate complex technical, regulatory, and policy objectives into practical, consensus based solutions. This experience has given me a strong appreciation for the operational realities facing Ontario’s transit systems, as well as the importance of coordinated advocacy, evidence based decision making, and long term strategic thinking.
I am eager to serve on the OPTA Board of Directors to help translate sector priorities into coordinated action and measurable outcomes. I would contribute deep knowledge of standards and regulatory-adjacent processes, strong facilitation and consensus-building skills, and an ability to connect OPTA members with cross-sector partners to accelerate progress. In particular, I am excited to support OPTA’s work on state of good repair, fleet renewal and zero emission transition, risk and safety governance, data informed planning, and standards as enabling tools for funding, procurement, and regulatory alignment. Having recently joined OPTA as a member, I value OPTA’s leadership in sharing best practices, strengthening member collaboration, and supporting the transit sector through a period of significant change.
In addition to my technical background, I bring a strong governance and board level mindset. I am experienced in strategic oversight, and collective decision making in complex member driven environments. I value constructive debate, and a disciplined focus on outcomes that serve both members and the broader public interest. I would approach service on the OPTA Board with diligence, integrity, and a commitment to advancing shared priorities across transit systems of all sizes.
I am eager to support OPTA’s advocacy efforts, strengthen collaboration between transit agencies and allied organizations, and help position public transit as a foundational service for addressing Ontario’s affordability, climate, and growth challenges. I believe my experience and perspective would complement the existing Board and contribute positively to OPTA’s continued leadership.
Thank you for considering my application. I would be honoured to serve the membership and support the future of public transit in Ontario.
Sincerely,
Ana Maria Tomlinson
Director, Standards Development
CSA Group
Toronto, Ontario
Arsalan Zargar, CIMA+
A brief summary of Nominee’s professional experience to date
Arsalan has over 15 years of experience in the Transit and Transportation space. In his current role as SVP Transportation at CIMA, he overlooks various transit projects including BRT and other municipal projects. Arsalan brings an interesting perspective having worked in the transit space for Government Agencies, Construction Contractors and now for a consulting engineering company.,
I believe I can bring a very different and valuable perspective to the Board. I have experience with procurement and transaction aspects of large transit projects as well as challenges (from an owner’s side) with execution in delivery and operations of transit projects. I also have first hand knowledge of challenges faced by construction contractors in pricing and executing transit projects.
Doug Wallace, CUBIC
A brief summary of Nominee’s professional experience to date
Doug Wallace is a Senior Management Professional with over 25 years of experience in Transit fare systems, Retail/Restaurant POS Payment Systems, C Stores, EV, Financial Services, Retail and Government sectors. Someone who can bridge the gap, act as the liaison between the business and technical sides of a business. Generate new business development opportunities and proven ability to solve problems, reduce and control expenses and sustain high productivity in critical-deadline environments
– Managed EMV & cEMV Certification projects in Canada, US and UK with a number of ISVs, Payment Gateways, and Retailers
– Have been working within the Transit space for over 5 years
– Managed North American operations for 2 Payment Gateways, which included Sales, Business – Development, Partnerships & Device/Host certification activities
– Worked with Acquirers, Processors, Card Brands, Payment Hardware & Software companies
– Consulted on all aspects of Payment/IT projects from defining requirements to deploying the hardware/software
– Have helped businesses define product roadmaps
– Direct relationships with most of the major processors including: Moneris, First Data, Chase, Global & TD
– Understands what is required from both a Transit agency and Rider perspectiveA brief description of Nominee’s interest in the position, and why you would like to serve on the OPTA Board.
I am excited to join the board at OPTA. I have been working with transit agencies across Canada and truly believe that providing an efficient transit service is essential to the community. Having worked with agencies of all sizes I know that I understand how important it is for OPTA to have a strong voice in support of them.
Michelle N. Jones, Jacobs Consultancy Canada
A brief summary of Nominee’s professional experience to date
Michelle Jones is a senior transportation professional with nearly 30 years of experience in public transit, spanning operations, governance, infrastructure delivery, and organizational transformation. She is currently Market Growth Lead (Canada – East) for Transportation Decarbonization, where she works with transit agencies, utilities, and industry partners to plan and deliver zero‑emission fleet programs, charging infrastructure, and supporting energy and digital systems.
Previously, Michelle held multiple senior leadership roles at the Toronto Transit Commission, including Head of Renewable Energy Programs, Head of Sustainable Innovation, and Head of Revenue Protection. Across these roles, she led early electric bus deployments, charging system implementation, enterprise sustainability and climate programs, and large‑scale operational change initiatives in active, 24/7 operating environments. Her experience spans vehicle procurement, infrastructure delivery, operational readiness, workforce transition, PMO governance, IT and OT integration, and cross‑departmental coordination.
Michelle has held several PMO and portfolio leadership roles, supporting strategic planning, delivery governance, risk management, and execution alignment across complex, multi‑stakeholder initiatives. These roles strengthened her focus on organizing, planning, and translating strategy into implementable action.
She brings strong governance and standards experience, currently serving as Vice‑Chair of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Strategic Steering Committee for Rail and Transit, and previously serving as Vice‑Chair of the TTC Pension Plan Board. She has also served as a Board Director with the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) and as a founding Board Director with COMTO Toronto & Region.
Michelle is an active contributor to industry knowledge‑sharing, including helping organize the first ZEB User Day at OTE, and participating in panel discussions and technical forums for OPTA, WTS, CUTA, and UITP on topics such as zero‑emission transit, EV charging, cybersecurity, and system integration at national and international levels. She holds an Executive MBA in Global Leadership, is a certified PMP, and is completing the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D) designation.
A brief description of Nominee’s interest in the position, and why you would like to serve on the OPTA Board.
I am seeking to serve on the OPTA Board because I believe OPTA plays a critical role in supporting Ontario’s transit sector as systems become more interconnected, technology‑driven, and asset‑intensive.
Throughout my career, I have gravitated toward roles that connect people, disciplines, and organizations—across operations, infrastructure, IT and OT systems, governance, standards, and policy. Through my involvement with organizations such as OPTA, CUTA, UITP, and standards bodies, I have seen firsthand how much value is created when agencies and industry partners learn from one another and share practical, experience‑based insights.
As transit vehicles, charging infrastructure, fare systems, energy networks, and digital platforms become increasingly connected, the sector faces shared challenges related to governance, cybersecurity, resilience, climate adaptation, and long‑term planning. I am motivated to help OPTA continue strengthening the support it provides to members navigating this environment.
I am particularly interested in contributing at the committee level, with focus areas including governance, infrastructure delivery, IT and OT integration, strategic planning, climate and decarbonization, and member engagement. I enjoy organizing, planning, and convening conversations that help translate complex challenges into actionable guidance for transit leaders.
Serving on the OPTA Board would allow me to give back to an industry that has shaped my career, while helping OPTA continue to evolve as a trusted resource and collaborative platform for Ontario’s transit systems.
Stephen Kuban, Kuban Transit Solutions Inc.
A brief summary of Nominee’s professional experience to date
Stephen Kuban’s professional experience has been a perpetual blend of strategic growth and technology. Stephen is the Principal and CEO of Kuban Transit Solutions (KTS), a consulting firm specializing in transit workforce development, strategic planning, and organizational transformation. He has delivered training workshops, facilitated strategic planning sessions, and provided consulting services to Transit Systems and Business Members across North America. His workforce development sessions focused on public sector AI adoption have been featured in partnership with national associations such as CTAA, as well as provincial and state transit associations including Ontario, Texas, Michigan, West Virginia, and California.
Prior to founding KTS, Stephen held a decade of leadership roles in transit technology (RideCo 2015-2021, The Routing Company 2022-2025) that gave him firsthand experience with the challenges facing frontline workers and transit leadership. His work spans rural, urban, and specialized transportation, with a focus on helping agencies build internal capacity and develop their people.
A brief description of Nominee’s interest in the position, and why you would like to serve on the OPTA Board.
Ontario’s transit community holds a special place in my work and my mission, and I want to contribute to OPTA’s strategic direction at the governance level.
Now specifically feels like the right time to hold this position. With the rapid advancement of AI, OPTA must lead your members by example to demonstrate just how impactful effective is to small organizations. OPTA has also introduced innovative business models to expand your reach (annual sponsorships, conference add-ons). These two evolutions are happening concurrently and they directly impact each other. The stronger the financial position, the more impact you can deliver to your members.
This challenge that OPTA is trying to solve is completely aligned with the direction I am taking KTS, which leads to a clear opportunity to contribute my international learnings towards expanding OPTA’s impact. I believe my experience working across jurisdictions in Canada and the U.S. will help inform OPTA’s growth, and I’m committed to helping the association deliver more value to its members.
Steve Lassey, strada360
A brief summary of Nominee’s professional experience to date
Steve Lassey has built a distinguished career at the intersection of transit and technology. With more than three decades of experience designing and delivering complex transit technology solutions, Steve began his career in 1989 as a technology analyst with OC Transpo. He later advanced to the role of Chief Information Officer at OC Transpo and went on to lead major technology initiatives for the newly amalgamated City of Ottawa for a decade starting in 1999.
Today, Steve is the CEO of strada360, a transit technology integration company focused on helping transit agencies unlock the full value of their data. By integrating information across systems, platforms, and sources, strada360 enables organizations to make informed, strategic decisions that support efficient, reliable, and future‑ready transit operations.
A brief description of Nominee’s interest in the position, and why you would like to serve on the OPTA Board.
Steve Lassey is eager to serve on the OPTA Board and to contribute his experience to the organization’s continued evolution and impact. He is particularly interested in supporting OPTA members as they navigate technology optimization, data integration, and innovation across transit operations. With the rapid pace of change in transit technology, Steve sees this as an exciting and important moment to help advance collaboration, knowledge‑sharing, and strategic leadership within Ontario’s public transit community.
Tom Glover, MTB Transit Solutions
A brief summary of Nominee’s professional experience to date
Since the early 1980’s I have worked in the bus industry. From 1980-1989 I was fortunate enough to work at Ontario Bus Industries where I was able to expand my knowledge within the group taking on many different work tasks. These tasks were, sheet metal working on the production line, stores clerk and shipping for the production team. From there I was in charge of the aftermarket parts warehouse and providing our services to the transit authorities both in parts and warranty recovery. I joined MTB in 1989 and grew the bus refurbishment and collision sector for the team since then. My duties varied from parts associate, shop manager to VP of Operations. In 2013 I took on the role of Sales and Marketing which I am proud to say I am still taking care of for the MTB team.
A brief description of Nominee’s interest in the position, and why you would like to serve on the OPTA Board.
I have been involved with the transit sector for my 35-year tenure with MTB. Over this time, I have got to know the processes and needs of individual transit authorities. I believe I have represented MTB showing our honesty and integrity in the transit business and will always try to assist in any way possible in a very transparent way.
Yuval Grinspun, Left Turn Right Turn (LTRT)
A brief summary of Nominee’s professional experience to date
I have been working in the public transit industry since 2002. I’ve worked on projects for agencies across the continent covering a broad range of topics – governance and strategy, transit planning, transit technology, specialized transit, and program management. From small-scale studies to large-scale transformation programs, I’ve had the benefit of working with and learning from talented individuals across the industry.
In 2014, I founded Left Turn Right Turn, a transit-focused consultancy that supports organizations on business strategy, service planning, accessibility, and technology programs. Since, then, LTRT has grown to a 25-strong person consulting firm that’s developed important transportation and accessibility projects for organizations across Canada and the US.
A brief description of Nominee’s interest in the position, and why you would like to serve on the OPTA Board.
A lifelong advocate for public transit, I’ve applied my professional and personal energy to promote and improve transit in Ontario. This includes on-going support for OPTA to achieve it’s mission through active participation on committees, conferences, and yes, even curling events.
I would love the opportunity to further my support by serving on the OPTA Board: to provide strategic direction for the organization, support OPTA staff to plan effective programming, and further promote and enhance transit within our province. Drawing on my work at a larger consulting firm, in-house at the TTC, and now as founder of LTRT, I believe I can bring a unique perspective gained from working with agencies across the province as well as from running a small, Ontario-based, transit-focused business.
