Melinda J. Metzger
Melinda J. Metzger is Executive Director of Pace, one of the nation’s largest bus-only public transportation agencies. Her public transportation career spans more than four decades, beginning at NORTRAN (now Pace's Northwest Division), and continuing at the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) before she joined Pace at its inception in 1984. After serving in a series of planning and operations leadership roles, including General Manager and Chief Operating Officer, Metzger was named Executive Director in 2022.
As Executive Director, Metzger has set a forward-thinking strategic vision focused on meeting the evolving mobility needs of the 274 communities Pace serves. Under her leadership, Pace has continued to embrace new and innovative services and technologies, including the introduction of the agency’s first battery-electric buses. Metzger also led the launch of VanGo and the expansion of Pace’s On Demand program to address first-mile/last-mile mobility needs. She has prioritized strategic investments in service and infrastructure to modernize the agency’s transportation system.
In addition to these advancements, she has led or played an integral role in major initiatives that have transformed service across the region including the consolidation of ADA paratransit services into a regional program making Pace the second largest Paratransit provider in the country, the launch of our Bus on Shoulder program and the introduction of Pulse, Pace’s bus rapid transit service.
Metzger has been active in industry organizations including the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the Illinois Public Transportation Association (IPTA), and WTS, which recognized her as a Woman of the Year.
As Pace’s first female Executive Director, Metzger has broken new ground for both the agency and the public transportation industry. Drawing on her deep knowledge of Pace's history and her clear vision for the future, she remains committed to advancing accessible, sustainable transportation solutions.
