The RTA Hires New Head of Government Affairs

February 25, 2011

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) announced today the hiring of Jordan Matyas as the agency's Deputy Executive Director who will oversee the Government Affairs Department. Matyas will report to Executive Director Joe Costello beginning March 1.

Costello said Matyas' extensive legal and legislative background will provide the RTA with the leadership necessary to effectively guide the RTA's government affairs team.

Matyas will develop and implement the RTA’s government affairs agenda at the local, state and federal levels. Matyas will also work with his counterparts at the CTA, Metra and Pace to further advance regional collaboration efforts.

"We are pleased to have Jordan join our executive team to help further solidify public transit's role in our region," said Costello. "While the transit system faces many challenges, we are confident that his expertise will be instrumental in advocating for mass transit to benefit northeastern Illinois. Increased infrastructure investment will create jobs, spur economic development and improve our air quality which is why the RTA will continue to advocate for increased funding for mass transit."

Prior to joining the transit agency, Matyas served as the Illinois State Director for the Humane Society of the United States and operated his own law firm that focused on government relations. Earlier in his career, Matyas worked in the White House press office and later as a manager of the press office for Vice President Al Gore. He also worked as a press secretary for the Democratic Leadership Council. In Illinois, Matyas served as Assistant Counsel for the Illinois Speaker of the House and later as Counsel for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations.

Prior to starting Matyas Law Firm, he worked for a private law firm and specialized in toxic torts and civil rights defense. Matyas also has extensive experience prosecuting administrative actions including: working for the City of Chicago prosecuting building violations and working for the Illinois Division of Financial Institutions.

Matyas has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy from George Washington University and a Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School.