Board of Directors

Board Chair Dave Massaron’s career is a study in effective executive management. Currently
he is the Vice President, Infrastructure and Corporate Citizenship at General Motors. Previously
Massaron was Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Finance and Business
Affairs at Wayne State University. There he acted as a change agent, developing Wayne State’s
first five-year financial forecast (helping the university achieve its first balanced budget since
before the pandemic), launching a simplified flat-rate tuition model to boost graduation rates,
restructuring Wayne State’s Facilities Planning and Management and designing a data-focused
five-year capital renewal plan. He has worked in both state and municipal government
capacities where he was Budget Director for the State of Michigan and held several positions in
the City of Detroit, including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. A Detroit native,

Massaron earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy from the
James Madison College at Michigan State University and a Juris Doctor from William and Mary
Law School. Massaron joined the RTA Board of Directors in 2023. He brings deep management
experience focused on solving problems and creating opportunities.

Freman Hendrix has worked for more than three decades to build stronger communities and
greater opportunities for the people of Detroit. Hendrix served as Chief of Staff and Deputy
Mayor for former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, helping to lead Detroit to a balanced budget and
a continuous upgrading of its national bond rating during his tenure. Following his time at the
City of Detroit, Hendrix served as Chief Government Relations Officer at Eastern Michigan
University (EMU), where he secured over $35 million in grants. Previously he has served as
member of the board of directors for the Greektown Casino and Hotel. As a partner in Brush
Park Development LLC (a joint venture with Rock Ventures), Hendrix is developing 8.5 acres in
Brush Park, renovating historic Victorian mansions and building more than 300 new market-rate
homes in the neighborhood. Hendrix joined the RTA Board of Directors in 2015. He is a longtime
community activist and brings deep experience in public life and extensive ties across Detroit
and Southeast Michigan.

Jon Moore has built a career of service at the community level. He is the City Manager for the
City of Richmond, a bedroom community bridging Macomb and St. Clair Counties. It’s a position
he’s held for two decades. Moore began his tenure in Richmond as an economic development
intern, having earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Miami University in Ohio and
a Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan University. Moore is also Executive
Director of the City of Richmond Tax Increment Finance Authority as well as a voting member of
the Richmond Planning Commission. He served as the City of Richmond’s alternate delegate to
the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) and the Macomb Orchard Trail
Commission. Moore worked early in the trail’s development to ensure that Macomb County and
member communities preserved the abandoned CN rail line that would become the Macomb
Orchard Trail. Moore joined the RTA Board of Directors in 2020. He brings real-world
experience in the ways regional development and community-level quality of life can – and
should – work together.

Donald Morandini’s resume showcases a career’s worth of experience in business, economic
development, entrepreneurship and education. Morandini worked for more than 40 years in
Macomb County government, where he was Deputy Director of the Macomb County
Department of Planning & Economic Development. Other duties with the county included
helping create Macomb’s Brownfield Redevelopment Program, serving as Regional Director of
the Small Business Development Center Program and coordinating the Macomb County Home
In Macomb Business Retention Program. Morandini joined the RTA Board of Directors in 2014.
He brings wide-ranging experience in policy, implementation and business development as well
as a passion for service. A past winner of the Macomb Foundation’s Athena Award, Morandini
received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan and a Masters degree from
Wayne State University.

Jeanette Bradshaw has built a career on helping others build theirs. She currently serves as the
President of the Michigan Maritime Trades Port Council, which advocates on behalf of the
maritime industry and construction trades. She’s also the Recording Secretary and Political
Director/Registrar for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 58 in Detroit.
Bradshaw has been a licensed journeyman electrician for more than 20 years, having learned
from her father – a carpenter – the lesson that there’s unique value in “a skill no one can take
away.” She’s also been active in the labor movement for more than 20 years, focusing on
protecting the rights of workers in all industries. Bradshaw serves as the elected Secretary
Treasurer of the Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO. She’s also served on the Michigan Board of
State Canvassers being elected in 2013, having been reappointed to serve a third term in 2021
which recently concluded. She’s a resident of Ortonville in Oakland County. Bradshaw joined the
RTA Board of Directors in 2022. She brings insight to the relationship between public transit and
employment opportunities for the residents of Southeast Michigan, in particular those who work
in trades – because they make a difference in other people’s lives.

Helaine Zack has nearly 40 years of experience as a leader in health and human services. A
licensed health professional – with a bachelor‘s degree in psychology and Master of Social
Work, both from the University of Michigan – she maintains an independent practice specializing
in onsite trauma intervention and counseling. For nearly two decades, Zack served as Oakland
County Commissioner, representing the cities of Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Oak
Park and the Charter Township of Royal Oak. During her final term, she chaired the Finance
Committee and Community Home Improvement Committee. As Commissioner, she also served
on many other boards, including the Drain Board, the Retirement and Deferred Compensation
Board, SEMCOG and the Area Agency on Aging 1B. Her social work career has also included a
focus on employee assistance. Throughout her career, she’s been a passionate advocate for
vulnerable citizens, including seniors and those with mental health and substance abuse
problems. Zack joined the RTA Board of Directors in 2021. She was named a Taubman Scholar
in 2015, attending the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Alma Wheeler Smith has lived a life rich in service to her community – both as an elected representative and an advocate for the kind of public policy that unites communities and improves lives. She currently serves as chair of the University Bank Board of Directors and as a director on the boards of SOS Community Services, the Michigan Campaign Finance Network and the Legislative Retirement System. Growing up in a politically engaged family – her father, Albert H. Wheeler, was the first African American elected mayor in Ann Arbor – Smith served in the Michigan Legislature for 14 years, six in the House of Representatives and eight in the Senate. In both chambers, she served on the powerful Appropriations Committee. Her other elected positions have included Ann Arbor Cablecasting Commissioner, South Lyon Community Schools Board of Education Trustee and president and Washtenaw County Commissioner.

Smith earned a degree in journalism from the University of Michigan, where she also did advanced work in political science and business administration. Smith joined the RTA Board of Directors in 2014. She brings extensive knowledge of government operations and policy development as well as a passion for grassroots-level engagement and advocacy.

Ned Staebler has unique expertise in regional economic development. He serves as both Vice
President for Economic Development at Wayne State University and President and CEO of
TechTown, the Detroit-based business incubator and accelerator. Staebler leads both
organizations’ efforts to strengthen the region’s neighborhoods, businesses and leaders, with an
emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship, transit and placemaking. Previously, Staebler
was Vice President for Entrepreneurial and Capital Services at the Michigan Economic
Development Corporation, providing oversight of the Michigan Strategic Fund Board and the
21st Century Jobs Fund. He also spent a decade in the private sector, helping grow the Helios
Group – a tech-based financial services startup – from 30 to 130 employees. He was Associate
Director of Bear Stearns’ London office after the investment firm acquired Helios in 2000.
Staebler graduated from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School, Harvard University and the
London School of Economics and Political Science. He joined the RTA Board of Directors in
2018. He brings a business-based perspective and strong ties to leading institutions across the
Southeast Michigan region.

June Lee has dedicated his professional life to serving the communities and people of
Southeast Michigan. He is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the
Wayne County Airport Authority, which controls Detroit Metropolitan, Wayne County and Willow
Run airports. In this capacity, Lee oversees the executive functions of the Authority’s
administrative and operating divisions and is responsible for implementing WCAA’s strategic
business plan. Previously, he was Assistant County Executive under Wayne County Executive
Warren C. Evans, providing executive oversight across several service departments and leading
implementation of Wayne County’s economic development and job growth initiatives. A
graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School – where he
received his Juris Doctor degree – Lee began his career as law clerk for the City of Detroit Law
Department. Lee joined the RTA Board of Directors in 2017. He brings not only strong ties to
community organizations and experience in the transportation sector, but also a history of
enhancing the effectiveness, capability and accountability of public institutions.

Dr. Erica Robertson is a native Detroiter, Navy veteran and experienced business executive who
specializes in driving organizational transformation – with an emphasis on improving the futures
of Detroit’s children through educational innovation. She’s CEO of Adventures Publishing
House, which creates educational content for young people. Previously, she was CEO of
Promise Schools, a nonprofit Charter Management Organization, where she focused on
systemic K-12 education issues. Before that, Dr. Robertson was Deputy Director at the Detroit
Children’s Fund, where she focused on strategy, portfolio management and partnerships. With a
Doctor of Education from Vanderbilt University, MBA from the University of Michigan and
Bachelor of Arts also from Michigan, Dr. Robertson also holds years of private sector
experience under her belt. Dr. Robertson joined the RTA’s Board of Directors in 2018. She
brings a focus on both strategic innovation and operational effectiveness. She’s the author of
the young adult novel, The Adventures of a Little Black Detroit Girl – Homecoming.