Metra chair job goes to the collar counties; Brown lauded for leadership through COVID

Metra Chair Romayne Brown was surrounded by well-wishers Thursday as she passed the gavel to Director Joseph McMahon, the former Kane County state’s attorney.

But one of her best moments came as she sat alone at the boardroom table leading a virtual meeting amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Metra Executive Director Jim Derwinski.

“You accepted the chair of Metra during some very, very trying times,” Derwinski said.

He noted ridership, which had collapsed by 99.7% in spring 2020, was rebounding slightly in November 2021 when Brown took office — just before the Omicron surge.

“Uncertainly prevailed,” Derwinski said. “PPE (personal protective equipment) was in scarce supply; federal relief dollars weren’t coming in yet,” and Metra was running out of money.

Brown’s prior leadership experience at the CTA and “character set you in place to run toward the challenge and not run away from it.”

Her four-year term as chair ends this month. Board members voted to appoint McMahon as chair and Director Paul Ruffin of Homewood as vice chair, effective Nov. 1.

McMahon told Brown “The strength of your leadership and your integrity has been our guiding light.

“I look forward to continuing to serve all of you (on the board) and the employees of Metra, but also, and incredibly importantly, our customers and riders across the region,” he added.

Derwinski credited Brown with advocating for new rail cars, reduced fare programs for low-income riders, simplifying the zone system and reviving Metra’s holiday train program.

“I remain committed to working together with the newly appointed chair and vice chair as we continue to listen and learn how to build ridership, improve our infrastructure and work with stakeholders — and to continue highlighting the importance of providing an affordable and inclusive transportation system,” Brown said.

McMahon, who was appointed to the Metra board in May 2021, is a co-founder of the law firm Griffin, Williams, McMahon & Walsh.

Ruffin, a partner at the consulting firm Mercer, joined the board in June 2021.