Pace Chairman Rick Kwasneski Appointed to American Public Transportation Association Board

Rick Kwasneski, who has served on the Pace Suburban Bus Board of Directors for 19 years and as Chairman for 15 years, has been appointed to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) 2020-2021 Board of Directors as an “At Large Director (Transit).” Kwasneski steps into this new role, which he will hold through October 2023, at a critical time for public transportation.

“Accessible and reliable public transportation will play a crucial role in our nation’s recovery,” said Kwasneski. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to contribute to APTA’s mission and I am committed to being an active and engaged advocate for the needs of APTA’s 1500 public and private organizations and communities we serve.”

“We’re excited about the addition of Rick to our Board of Directors,” said Jeff Nelson, APTA Chairman and General Manager of MetroLink. “Rick and Pace have been long-time supporters of APTA and I look forward to working with them to advocate for public transportation agencies across the country.”

Kwasneski currently serves on the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Policy Committee, which is the decision-making body for all regional transportation plans and programs for this area. The MPO Policy Committee plans, develops, and maintains an affordable, safe, and efficient transportation system for the region, providing the forum through which local decision makers develop regional plans and programs.

“It is my goal to elevate the policy and advocacy work of the MPO Policy Committee to the national discussion on infrastructure while bringing the nation’s best public transportation practices back to our region,” Kwasneski stated.