FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2019

PSTA Announces New Executive Committee and Board Member

St. Petersburg, FL – Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) announced the appointment of one new member of its Board of Directors, as well as the full slate of the executive committee for 2020.

Serving on the executive committee will be:

• Chair – Commissioner Joe Barkley, Belleair Bluffs
• Vice Chair – Commissioner Pat Gerard, Pinellas County
• Secretary/Treasurer – Gina Driscoll, St. Petersburg
• At Large Executive Committee Member – Dan Saracki, Oldsmar
• Past Chair – Commissioner Janet Long, Pinellas County

The purpose of this committee generally is to deliberate and provide direction to staff on operational matters, including but not limited to significant operational issues and major service changes. The Board’s intent is that the Executive Committee will provide direction to staff on emergency items and items that eventually will come before the entire Board.

Chair Joe Barkley has more than 40 years of experience in the insurance industry as an agent, corporate executive, and agency owner, retiring in 2018. He has served on the City of Belleair Bluffs Commission since 2009 and the PSTA Board of Directors since 2013.

“This committee will continue the excellent commitment to customer outreach and service, schedule reliability, and fare affordability which has enabled PSTA to effectively serve Pinellas County public transit riders,” said Chair Barkley.

Joining PSTA’s Board of Directors is Commissioner Ken Welch of Pinellas County, who previously was on the Board from 2006 to 2016 and chair for two years.

Commissioner Welch served as Chair of the County Commission in 2006, 2013 and 2018. He also served at the state level as the 1st and 2nd Vice President of the Florida Association of Counties, Urban Caucus Co-Chair, and Chair of the Finance, Transportation and Administration committee. Commissioner Welch focuses his efforts on diverse community issues, including community and economic development, housing, transportation, poverty reduction, and public safety.

“Commissioner Welch embodies the spirt of community and brings talent, expertise and energy to the table. We are very fortunate to have Commissioner Welch on the Board as we continue to strengthen our community through public transportation, “said Brad Miller, CEO of PSTA.

Commissioner Welch steps in for Commissioner David Eggers. PSTA would like to thank Commissioner Eggers for 5 years of service on the Board.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Stephanie Weaver

PSTA Communications & Public Relations Manager

O: (727) 540-1853 | C: (727) 249-6542

E: Sweaver@psta.net

PSTA: The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is the public transit provider for Pinellas County, providing more than 14.9 million rides per year. PSTA operates 38 bus and trolley routes with a fleet of 210 vehicles. More information is available at www.psta.net.