Valley Metro Board member receives Regional Excellence Award

Phoenix, AZ (June 28, 2012) Shana Ellis, Tempe Councilmember and Board member for both the Valley Metro and METRO transit agencies, received the 2012 Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Excellence Award last night. As a councilmember for Tempe, she has extended her role as a local city elected official to serve as a key regional leader in transportation.

As Chair of the Valley Metro Board in 2011 and Board member of METRO, she was instrumental in the development of unified leadership with the recent hiring of a single CEO for both agencies. Ellis’ leadership has been demonstrated by her consistency in goals and direction for both Boards.

She has continually shown her passion and commitment to serving and improving the region’s public transit system. She has supported many regional, multi-faceted efforts with the support and expansion of light rail, development of the Valley Metro Mobility Center, participation in Clean Air Campaign Awards luncheons, and being part of the student-designed bus wrap unveilings.
Councilmember Ellis is a co-recipient of the Regional Excellence Award and shares the honor with Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez-Rogers for her ongoing commitment to regional efforts and achievements.

Valley Metro RPTA provides eco-friendly public transit options to residents of greater Phoenix and Maricopa County, including a clean-fuel bus fleet, low-emissions light rail, commuter vanpools, online carpool matching, bus trip mapping, bicycle safety and telework assistance. Funding is provided by local and federal revenues. A board of 16 governments sets the policy direction for the agency and works to improve and regionalize the public transit system. All service and projects funded by the Proposition 400 Regional Transportation Plan funds approved by Maricopa County voters in November 2004.       

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