As Bob retires after an impressive tenure, we celebrate the role he’s played in PSTA’s public engagement and communication over the past two decades.

If you’ve been on a PSTA bus or attended an event we’ve tabled at in the past 21 years, chances are you’ve seen the friendly face and heard the resonant radio-ready voice of Bob Lasher. Over the years, he has become a trusted and familiar presence for our riders, and after two decades of dedicated service, he is entering his well-deserved retirement.

Thus, for this entry of our Behind the Wheel series, we will highlight Bob’s tireless work in transit and give him the send-off he deserves!

Bob Lasher’s Career

A man of many talents, Bob had quite a diverse career before joining PSTA on March 31st, 2005. Back in the 80s, he began in television, most notably with WTOG Channel 44, where he served as a writer, a producer for evening broadcasts, and filled in as a weather anchor as needed. Upon leaving the Tampa Bay Area, Bob continued his TV work as a news anchor, reporter, writer, and producer at various stations in Georgia and California, and eventually landed in Secaucus, New Jersey.

While living in New Jersey, Bob expanded his skill set and worked as a copywriter, computer network administrator, salesman, and public speaker. With such a wide variety of experiences, many in the realm of communication and marketing, it only made sense for Bob to secure his position as Community Relations Manager at PSTA after returning to the Tampa Bay Area. His robust background perfectly positioned him to take on a public-facing role advocating for a cause he truly believed in—the importance of public transit.

He hit the ground running, quickly building relationships with not only local community leaders but also riders. Throughout his tenure at PSTA, he spoke at Rotary clubs, Kiwanis clubs, HOAs, and many other civic organizations. His warm, engaging voice and friendly, informative demeanor established a sense of trust with the community. People began to associate Bob with PSTA itself. His charisma and genuine passion for public service truly embodied the sentiment all PSTA staff share: the desire to serve the community and support those who depend on our services.

Having worked in radio while in college, he put that soothing on-air voice to work by recording on-board bus announcements and informational messages for riders who called our InfoLine. Soon, he wasn’t just the face of PSTA for those who attended his presentations—he became the voice of PSTA, heard by every single person who boarded a bus.

With each new service or initiative PSTA embarked upon, Bob Lasher was at the forefront of communicating and advocating for it. As a Public Information Officer (PIO), he coordinated with local media and wrote press releases. He worked part-time for FEMA, teaching PIO courses, particularly those related to disaster response, and assisted with training for Southeastern Guide Dogs. He also became PSTA’s fact-checker and researcher, carefully documenting the truth of PSTA’s history and track record. Bob’s loyalty to PSTA’s mission and his passion for telling the agency’s story made him a staunch defender of the facts when faced with misinformation. A prime example of this is his well-known “Busting the Empty Bus Myth” video.

As PSTA expanded its media relations, Bob shifted his focus solely to community outreach, a role in which he excelled. He truly listened to rider feedback, a pursuit that led him to the formation of the Transit Riders Advisory Committee (TRAC).

The Committee comprises members of the public who represent the diversity and geographic distribution of Pinellas County residents, all of whom are daily or weekly PSTA riders. TRAC provides a valuable rider perspective for PSTA staff and serves as a focus group for presenting upcoming projects and services. Over the years, Bob has guided TRAC member discussions and simplified complex transit topics into digestible, accessible information. It was under Bob’s attentive leadership that TRAC flourished into an essential advisory group for the agency.

Through the ups and downs of the past two decades, Bob has remained tireless and dedicated to his work, lifting spirits with his quick wit and bold sense of humor. Even after his retirement date was set, he dutifully attended community events and engaged with riders with the same exuberance and care he brought to PSTA in 2005. His retirement celebrations were full of tight hugs, fond memories, and warm wishes. It goes without saying that, while he will be sorely missed in the halls of PSTA, those he worked with are excited for him as he enters retirement to focus on family, hobbies, and travel.

But don’t take my words for it—let’s hear it directly from his co-workers and friends!

From Bob’s Co-Workers

Here are some of the folks who worked with Bob on the daily and saw his dedication and passion firsthand.

Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer

When I came to PSTA in 2011, the first time I heard Bob’s voice was on the bus. I knew right away that he was undoubtedly the voice of PSTA. One of my first objectives as CEO was to get out into the community and attend local meetings—everyone I spoke to knew Bob! From Tarpon, all the way down to Gulfport, long-time Pinellas people knew Bob Lasher as the face of PSTA, and as the voice of PSTA.

Over the many years of working with him, his loyalty to PSTA and work ethic have been outstanding. He has always been our biggest defender and an excellent representative for us in the community. His passion for his work has never waned. He has also served as an excellent leader for TRAC, a group that has played a critical role in the development and improvement of PSTA’s services.

Even after two decades of doing this, I still walk up to Bob at community events and am amazed by his excitement. I remember talking to him at the PSTA table at Localtopia last year, and he looked over the moon with the response he’d received from people who’d come up to the table to tell him how much they loved PSTA, the SunRunner, and all the programs we offer. On the cusp of retirement, he still cared so much about his work. There has not been another person like Bob for PSTA. He is truly one of a kind.

I wish him the very best as he enjoys retirement. He has more than earned a chance to relax and enjoy the fruits of his labor. 

James Bradford, Chief Operating Officer

I first arrived at PSTA in early 2013, a new executive from out of state. With that fresh perspective, you quickly notice the influential figures within an organization, and Bob Lasher rose to the top almost immediately. He has such a steady presence and a deep institutional knowledge. The way he carries himself and that wealth of wisdom he has… you can’t help but trust his perspective. I often thought of Bob as PSTA’s “oracle,” a grounding force who understands how history should inform and guide our progress.

Another thing that stands out to me about Bob is his rich baritone voice. I always thought I had a pretty good voice until I heard Bob and realized his was better. It’s obvious why he is the voice of PSTA, announcing bus stops and other messages. There is instant recognition for our riders. Recognition and trust. 

Bob isn’t just a voice, though—he is the perfect external representative for PSTA. He has an exceptional talent for explaining who we are and how transit works in plain language that riders, stakeholders, and partners could actually understand. He never talked over people or relied on industry jargon. He translated complex operations and policy into something accessible, which built trust and credibility across the county.

Early on, I was doing a lot of media for the first time, including on-camera interviews with an aggressive investigative reporter. Bob and I co-led at least two or three of those interviews, and Bob’s background in news media really showed. He understood reporters’ tactics, framing, and where questions were likely to go. Before each interview, he would calmly walk me through what to expect so I could focus on delivering a professional, composed response rather than getting rattled.

Because Bob and I worked in different buildings, I probably didn’t say this to him as often as I should have, but I’ve always had a deep appreciation for him and his integrity. But better late than never! Bob’s impact on me personally, and on PSTA as a whole, is something I’ll always be grateful for as he enters retirement.

Debbie Leous, Chief Financial Officer

When I think of Bob, I consider him to be the voice of PSTA. Soothing and comforting. Bob has such a great reputation around the community, and when I talk to others, they instantly equate Bob with PSTA.  He has been great to work with, and I will miss working with him greatly. There will be no other like him…

Cassandra Borchers, Former Chief Development Officer

Bob has an amazing heart and spirit. He truly cares about PSTA, his co-workers, and the riders. I could always count on Bob to be the first person to volunteer for a public engagement shift. Day, nights, or weekends, Bob was on-duty! He was a trustworthy spokesperson for the agency, an admired ambassador to community partners, and the soothing “voice of PSTA.”

Amanda Baird, Director of Communications and Marketing

Bob Lasher was a fixture at PSTA for 21 years, and his influence is indelible. His loyalty was always to the agency’s mission, above all else, and he worked consistently to advance that mission. Whether speaking to riders at community events, TRAC meetings, or as the “voice” of onboard announcements, in his tenure, he always made sure that our riders heard the latest on all things PSTA—and that their voices were heard when our planning team designed our routes and services.

Shahadah Hameed-Thomas, Superintendent of Customer Service

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Bob for many years, and he has always been such a welcoming and truly kind presence at PSTA. From the very beginning, he made me feel comfortable, and over time, we built a great working relationship that always felt easy and sincere. Bob consistently asked about my husband, and it was never just small talk. He genuinely cared, always spoke highly of him, and never missed an opportunity to check in. That kind of thoughtfulness really says a lot about who Bob is.

Professionally, Bob is truly one of a kind. He is the voice of PSTA, from the InfoLine recordings to onboard messaging, and his calm, steady delivery has always stood out. Every holiday or schedule change, I could count on Bob to jump right in and flawlessly update our Customer Service recordings. He always knew exactly what was needed and delivered it perfectly every time.

I also had the opportunity to work alongside Bob on outreach and marketing efforts, and he was always a pleasure to collaborate with. He is approachable, relatable, and thoughtful. Bob is someone I don’t just consider a colleague, but a friend, and he will be deeply missed.

His professionalism, talent, and genuine care for both his work and the people around him have left a lasting impression. There is truly no replacing him, or that iconic voice, and I wish him nothing but happiness and fulfillment in his well-earned retirement.

Best wishes to Bob always! ❤

Stephanie Weaver, Communications & Public Relations Manager

Bob has been a steady voice in the communications and marketing department since my arrival at PSTA in 2019 and way before that. He always kept things light-hearted and always kept the riders’ best interests at the forefront of every conversation we had about our services. We will miss his wisdom and his kindness, and I know that there will be a big Bob-sized hole at the agency. But we wish him the best in retirement and hope he enjoys living his best life away from a desk!

Jacob Labutka, Planning Manager

To say the least, Bob is a PSTA Institution. He left his mark on transit in Pinellas County by helping thousands of riders navigate service changes over two decades, especially during the massive change that was the Connected Community Bus Network. Bob also built relationships with organizations across the county that were instrumental in launching new services and gaining support for successful grant applications. You could always rely on Bob to provide a warm and calm presence in meetings and conversations. Bob Lasher—the man, the historian, the Hawaiian shirt collector—will be missed and remembered at PSTA for years to come.

Raj Singh, Assistant Manager of Schedules

Bob has served as Public Outreach Manager and, for decades, has been one of the most recognizable and trusted connections between PSTA and the community.

I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Bob for the entire 21 years I’ve been at PSTA, in many different capacities—from TRAC meetings to public engagement events and major systemwide initiatives. Through it all, Bob was consistently focused on one thing: making sure the public was informed, respected, and truly heard. He had an exceptional ability to take complex transit plans and turn them into clear, accessible information that people could understand and trust.

Bob built strong, lasting relationships with local governments, community organizations, and advocacy groups. Those relationships mattered. People knew Bob, trusted him, and understood that when he spoke, he did so with honesty and integrity on behalf of PSTA. He also served as PSTA’s representative at the Emergency Operations Center during hurricane events, providing steady leadership and coordination during critical moments.

For many years, Bob was quite literally the voice of PSTA. From onboard stop announcements to public service messages and phone system recordings, his voice became familiar to thousands of riders across our system. It’s something many people may not realize, but it’s a lasting imprint of his work and dedication.

Bob is a genuinely caring person, and his commitment to public service has always met the highest standards. I will truly miss working with him, but I am grateful for the years we worked together and the example he set for all of us.

Bob, I wish you a very happy and well-deserved retirement. Thank you for everything you’ve given to PSTA and to the communities we serve. It was truly an honor working with you, Bob.

Gabrielle Donaldson, Coordinator of Special Projects

I really enjoyed my time working with Bob. He makes an awesome eggplant parmesan, and he has a great sense of humor. Every year on Bob’s birthday, we would pull out this funny card that we attached his face to, and everyone would just die laughing, including Bob. We had a lot of fun working together—I miss those days!

Juan Luvian, Public Engagement Planner

There will never be another person like Bob at PSTA. He is such a hard worker. His work ethic and passion will always stay with me, especially during Greenlight. He would work from 5am until 10pm, then wake up the next day and do it all again. For a year or two, he dedicated his life to the referendum and really wanted to see public transit improve in Pinellas County. Although it didn’t pass, his hard work was never forgotten, and the relationships he strengthened for us live on today.

He’s so knowledgeable about politics and what’s going on in the community, whether local, state, or federal. He knows what’s happening and how it will affect us, which has always been a valuable tool for PSTA.

Thank you, Bob, for so many fun years of doing public outreach. It will be weird not seeing your signature 1990’s Miata convertible in the parking lot or enjoying your delicious popcorn. You’ve made a lasting impact on PSTA, and we are grateful for your time and dedication. Good luck in your retirement!

Amanda Boisen, Communications Specialist (and Writer of this Blog)

It is with great care that I write this, because Bob Lasher is a copywriter and someone I really look up to. During my three and a half years at PSTA, Bob has been a fount of knowledge. From PSTA history to local, state, and federal politics, he has always been an invaluable resource for my research projects and my intense desire to learn everything I can get my grimy hands on.

Last summer, when I took on the tall task of compiling a full history of public transit in Pinellas County, he was my personal PSTA encyclopedia as I sifted through old photos and documents from our archives. Bob was long considered the designated PSTA historian, so I tried to absorb as much of his wisdom as I could. In many ways, it feels as though he’s passed the torch to me now, and I carry it with a great respect for all the incredible work he’s done over the past two decades.

On a personal level, Bob is a great friend, has a wicked sense of humor, and, perhaps most notably, is a fellow avid Star Trek fan. We’ve had so many insightful conversations about everything from politics and current events to music and movies. The man has great taste and has recommended so many great pieces of media for me to dive into. I’ve always really valued his perspective on things, and he’s put my mind at ease many times over the past few years when the stress of work and life became overwhelming. He has always been an enthusiastic cheerleader for the writing I’ve done for PSTA, including the work I did on PSTA’s new jingle and music video. That level of support means the world to me.

Bob, thank you for all the wisdom you imparted to me. Although you won’t be just a few steps away from my desk anymore, I know you’ll be one message away. After all, who else will send me the best Star Trek memes? I wish you the very best as you settle into retirement!