Ryan J. Austin
I am a young man with Down syndrome. I need to have safe and reliable public transportation to reach my job as an usher at Busch Stadium for the St. Louis Cardinals. I am a passionate advocate for improving transportation dependability and safety for individuals with disabilities and other transit riders.
Raymond Bishop
I have been blind all my life and have used paratransit services in St. Louis and abroad since 1992. My work experience includes retail management and positions with the federal government and state mental health programs. I am currently a licensed massage therapist with an emphasis in oncology.
Edward Coleman Beals
I have been a resident of both Missouri and Illinois and have worked with Metro East hospitals for more than 30 years. I love the Metro Transit system and its role in the community and want to improve the riding experience for everyone by making it feel more welcoming, friendly and safer, no matter when you ride. I have been riding the system for over 60 years! I am married to Bishop D. W. Beals.
Bobbie Fernandes Brantley
I am interested in helping those with disabilities reach their full potential. I am an advocate for Metro Call‑A‑Ride service, and for the staff and operators who do a great job helping ADA passengers travel safely in all kinds of conditions. I believe paratransit operators should have the same pay as other Metro operators.
Martha J. Darris
Now retired, I spent 53 years with BJC Healthcare. I left BJC as Lead Technician Educator, but I’ve held a variety of roles over the years, including working in the ICU-CCU, operating room technician, EKG technician, nurse’s aide, and unit secretary. My educational background includes a degree in applied science/human services, and several certifications for operating room technician, EMT, cardiac care technician, and advanced healthcare management.
Steven James Foelsch
I am the Public Policy Advisor for the Starkloff Disability Institute in St. Louis. I was previously the institute’s Director of Disability Studies, and I’ve also taught at the university level for 14 years. My focus is on affordable and accessible housing and transportation, and I am eager to work with others to create a more accessible community.
Robert Hinkle
I am excited and motivated to be part of the Metro Transit Accessibility Advisory Committee. I want to work with the other members and share ideas that come from my experiences with paratransit service over the years, to make service more efficient and more comfortable for everyone.
Dr. Ishak Hossain
I came to St. Louis as an undergraduate, and after leaving for medical school, returned to St. Louis for residency. As a family medicine doctor, I am highly interested in public and community health, and more specifically, health equity tied with racial justice is an important priority to me. I am currently serving on the board of Forward through Ferguson.
Dr. Roy Lantry, PhD
I joined the committee and am interested in the work we do, because my wife relies on a wheelchair and I know how important accessibility is. I worked at an international biotechnology corporation, and have a doctorate in Public Health and Social Justice and a master’s degree in business administration. I am married with two children and four grandchildren. I enjoy baseball and watching the grandchildren at their events.
Michael Lauf
I am an Independent Living Advocate and Technology Instructor with LINC Inc. I work in St. Clair, Monroe and Randolph counties in Illinois to help people live in their homes as long as possible. My background spans more than 40 years in communications and broadcasting, including WRTB-FM, Tri-State Better business Bureau, SeroTalk podcast, and website publishing.
April Mason-Donovan
I am an independent living specialist who has been with the Delta Center since December 2022. I have Master’s and bachelor’s degrees in social work, and more than 25 years of related services with deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind and other disability communities. I am deaf and fluent in American Sign Language.
Lamar Neal
I am a strong advocate for inclusivity and accessibility. I have relied on Metro Transit my entire life, and I believe everyone—regardless of their physical abilities—should have the same access to services and opportunities. I’m excited to bring my unique perspectives to this committee and help make a meaningful impact on the future of Metro Transit.
Kristi Vetri
I have held public office as alderman, mayor and township supervisor in O’Fallon, Illinois for 20 years. As an attorney, my practice focuses on aging issues and disability law, and I have served on the national board of NAELA and moderated programs for ISBA and IICLE on topics of aging, special needs, ADA and advocacy.
Dawn Walter
I am a transportation planner with WSP, where I focus on public transit, pedestrian infrastructure and bike infrastructure projects. I have a master’s degree in urban and Regional Planning and was a member of the Community Mobility Committee with the City of St. Louis, which looked at improving mobility and accessibility for non-automobile transportation.
Tarika “Starry” Walton
I have been an executive member of multiple student organizations for disability, world languages and culture, LGBTQIA+ rights, and a member of the National Society for Leadership and Success. I was a volunteer at Paraquad in the Consumer Directed Services section and was one of the first members of SMART.