Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Special to suffredin.org
by Commissioner Larry Suffredin

Cook County Commissioners Richard R. Boykin, Peter Silvestri, Gregg Goslin, Sean M. Morrison and Larry Suffredin today unanimously reappointed John Plante to the METRA board of directors’ district representing Evanston, Leyden, New Trier, Niles, Northfield, Norwood Park, Maine, Oak Park and River Forest Townships. Mr. Plante was originally appointed in October 2013. His new term will run until June 30, 2020.

As a current METRA board member he has worked to institute cost savings and created a capital investment program. At METRA he chairs the Board Safety Committee where he has used his safety background to make passenger safety METRA’s number one commitment.

Mr. Plante has extensive transportation experience from serving in a variety of capacities over a 35 year career with the Chicago Transit Authority (“CTA.”) Most recently, Mr. Plante served as the Senior Manager for System Safety Emergency Preparedness for the CTA. In that capacity, Mr. Plante coordinated the CTA’s planning and training for responding to emergencies. He updated CTA’s Rail System Safety Program Plan, the Bus System Safety Program Plan, the Safety Rule Book and construction safety manuals. Following the September 11, 2011 attacks, Mr. Plante coordinated the agencies’ security efforts, leading to his accreditation as a Professional Emergency Manager by the State of Illinois in 2008.

Mr. Plante is heavily involved with the America Public Transportation Association, serving on its board of directors from 2011-2012. He has served as chair of the Risk Management Committee from 2009-2012 and sat on the Legislative and Safety Coordinating Committees. Furthermore, Mr. Plante worked on the association’s Security and Emergency Preparedness Standards Development Program and Emergency Preparedness Technical forums.

Cook County Commissioner Suffredin stated, “John Plante has made a difference at METRA and has restored public confidence in METRA. He has the experience and skills that METRA needs to succeed. His emergency preparedness work and legal background help METRA work through many complex issues. He continues to be an excellent choice.”

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