Board of Commissioners

Metro is governed by a 10-member Board that is responsible for the overall leadership and policy direction for the Agency.

The Board is comprised of five members from Missouri and five from Illinois. Missouri Board members are appointed by the governor of Missouri. In Illinois, the Chairman of the Board for both St. Clair and Madison Counties appoint their representatives.

Members of the Board serve their 5-year terms without compensation and must be a resident voter of their state, as well as reside within the bi-state metropolitan region.

To learn more about each Commissioner, see their bio listed below.

Missouri Commissioners

Lewis L. McKinney, Jr. is Vice Chairman of Metro's Board of Commissioners. He joined the Board in October 2005 and was appointed by Missouri Governor Matt Blunt. McKinney, a resident of St. Louis City, is Group Director of Government Strategies in the Industry and Government Affairs division at Anheuser-Busch, Inc. In his position, McKinney is responsible for legislative matters at the national, international, state, and local levels of government including legislative issues management, PAC administration, political and charitable outreach, legislative communications, and research and planning. Prior to his current position, McKinney has held various progressive management positions at Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis, as well as in Georgia and Alabama since 1982. McKinney serves on several professional boards including the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and Saint Louis University's School of Arts and Sciences Advisory Board. He is also a member of the Leadership Missouri Alumni Association in Jefferson City, Missouri. McKinney holds a B.A. degree in Communications from Saint Louis University and studied French at the University of St. Etienne in St. Etienne, France.

Kevin Cahill is Secretary of Metro's Board of Commissioners. He joined the Board in September 2004 and was appointed by Missouri Governor Bob Holden. As Director of Investment Banking for Edward Jones, Cahill has gained substantial experience in public finance underwriting. Cahill's responsibilities include pursuing, structuring, marketing, and closing tax-exempt municipal bond issues. Prior to Edward Jones, Cahill also served in many managerial positions including COO for St. Louis Inner City Competitive Alliance; Director of Government and Community Affairs for Solutia, Inc.; Special Assistant to St. Louis City's former Mayor Vincent Schoemehl; Vice-Chairman of the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority (Edward Jones Dome); and Vice Chairman for Government Affairs for the St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association. Cahill earned his undergraduate degree in history from Tufts University and his MBA from Washington University's School of Business.

Dr. Richard LaBore was appointed by Missouri Governor Bob Holden and joined Metro’s Board of Commissioners in September 2004. Dr. LaBore is a Lutheran Pastor, former Chairman of the Theology Department at Lutheran High School South, and is currently Pastoral Assistant at the The Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Sunset Hills. He has served the regional community in many capacities as Board Member and Vice President of the Lutheran Family and Children Services of Missouri; Alderman and Acting Mayor for the City of Crestwood; Member of the Board of Directors and President of the St. Louis County Municipal League; Board Member of the East-West Gateway Council of Governments; member of the MetroSouth (Metro) Policy Advisory Committee; member of the Metropolitan Sewer District Rate Review Panel; member of the Review Panel for the St. Louis County Police Practices; Board Member of Citizens for Modern Transit; and Board Member and Chairman of the University of Missouri Extension Services. Dr. LaBore holds M.Div. and S.T.M. degrees from Concordia Seminary and a Ph.D. degree from St. Louis University.

Hugh Scott, III was appointed by Missouri Governor Matt Blunt in April 2005 to serve on Metro's Board of Commissioners. Scott is Vice President and Managing Director of Investment Banking at Stifel Nicolaus & Co. Prior to Stifel Nicolaus & Co., Scott was employed for seven years as the Secretary and Principal for Iota Group, Inc. and sixteen years as Chairman and CEO for Western Diesel Services, Inc. Scott has served on the Board of Directors for many organizations including U.S. Bank of St. Louis, Boatmen's Trust Company, and the New England Mutual Life Insurance Company. He has also provided service to the metropolitan area as Vice-Chairman for the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association. As a St. Louis County resident, Scott was Alderman for the City of Clayton and Finance Vice-Chairman for the Missouri Republican Party of St. Louis County. In addition, Scott was Mayor for the City of Clayton from 1987 to 1991. He holds a B.A. degree from Yale University.

Vincent C. Schoemehl, Jr. was appointed by Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and joined Metro’s Board of Commissioners in August 2007. He is President and CEO of Grand Center, Inc., a not-for-profit organization charged with restoring the Grand Avenue District of St. Louis as the premiere arts and entertainment district in St. Louis. Since joining Grand Center in 2001, Schoemehl’s accomplishments include increasing charitable funding, focusing on redevelopment, creating a special tax district to provide more funding for security and cleanliness programs, and supervising the completion of major investment projects. Prior to Grand Center, Inc., Schoemehl was Chairman & CEO for Quadrex Corporation. He has also worked at several energy companies including New Millennium Energies, LLC Company, where he was Founder. In 1981 - 1993, Schoemehl served as Mayor for the City of St. Louis where he took a leading role in organizing and implementing a light rail transit program for the St. Louis region. His work included structuring financing for planning and for matching fund requirements. Schoemehl is currently a member of the St. Louis Public School District and was awarded doctorate degrees from St. Louis University, University of Missouri - St. Louis, Fontbonne University, Southeast Missouri State College, and the Aquinas Institute of Theology. He also holds a Bachelors of Arts Degree in History from the University of Missouri - St. Louis.

Illinois Commissioners

Jeffrey K. Watson is Chairman of Metro's Board of Commissioners and was appointed by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich in June 2003. During his tenure as a Metro Commissioner, Watson has also served as Board Treasurer for the Agency. Watson is currently employed as the General Counsel for the Casino Queen and has worked in this capacity since 2000. Prior to employment with Casino Queen, Watson was a Partner of the Dusek, Lopinot & Watson Law Firm in Belleville, Illinois. Watson also worked as an Assistant Public Defender in St. Clair County, Illinois for several years. Watson is Treasurer of the Illinois Bar Association and the St. Clair County Bar Association, and is affiliated with the East St. Louis Bar Association and the Illinois Casino Gaming Association. Watson, a resident of St. Clair County, Illinois and a graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, holds a bachelor's and a law degree.

David A. Dietzel is Treasurer of Metro's Board of Commissioners. He joined the Board in December 2004 and was appointed by Madison County Board Chairman, Alan Dunstan. Since 1982, Dietzel has worked for the Madison County Highway Department as its County Engineer. Dietzel's responsibilities include overseeing all aspects of design, construction, and maintenance of county roads; purchasing right-of-way for all county and township projects; preparing and administering department budgets; negotiating labor agreements with the Teamsters union; working with state, county, and local officials to coordinate free flow of traffic throughout the county; and serving as County Representative on advisory boards of regional and metropolitan planning commissions. Prior to his position as County Engineer, Dietzel was the Assistant County Superintendent of Highways. Dietzel is also a member of many associations including the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) and the American Society of Civil Engineers. He has received many distinguished awards and has been published in the Illinois Business Journal. Dietzel holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Tri State University, and has studied MBA coursework at Southern Illinois University.

Fonzy Coleman was appointed by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich in April 2004 to serve on Metro's Board of Commissioners. Coleman, a native of Centreville, Illinois is a retired educator with over 34 years of educational administrative and teaching experience from the East St. Louis School District - #189. During his professional tenure, Coleman served in many capacities including District Level Administrative Assistant, Dean, Principal, Assistant Principal, Teacher, and Coach. Coleman's expertise also includes curriculum design, needs assessment, staff development, school merger facilitation, and budget maintenance. Coleman is a member of the Illinois Principals' Academy and Principals' Association, and holds a Masters of Arts Teaching Degree in Social Science from Webster University, as well as a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Tennessee State University.

Dr. James T. Rosborg joined Metro's Board of Commissioners in June of 2006 and was appointed by St. Clair County, Illinois Chairman of the Board, Mark A. Kern. Dr. Rosborg currently works as the Program Coordinator for McKendree College’s External Graduate Programs and has served as an Adjunct Professor for St. Louis and Lindenwood Universities from 2001 to 2005. Dr. Rosborg has been the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Director, and Principal for the Belleville, Illinois School District #118 from 1972 to 1994. He also served as a History, Mathematics, and Physical Education Teacher, as well as a Guidance Counselor for the Belle Valley School District #119 from 1972 to 1985. Dr. Rosborg is currently a member of the Illinois State Board of Education State Test Task Force and has served as President and Board Member for many educational associations and boards. Dr. Rosborg has earned many professional awards including the 2004 Illinois State Superintendent of the Year award. Dr. Rosborg holds a doctorate and master’s degree in education from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

Tadas (Tad) Kicielinski was appointed by Madison County, Illinois Board Chairman Alan J. Dunstan to serve on Metro’s Board of Commissioners in January 2007. A resident of Collinsville, Illinois, Kicielinski has been Special Assistant to the General President, Editor of the Ironworker Magazine, and Director of the Midwest Region for IMPACT (Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust) since 2006. Prior to his current responsibilities, Kicielinski worked in Washington D.C. as Executive Assistant to the General President and Editor of Ironworker Magazine, and continues to support the Washington D.C. office. Kicielinski began his career as an ironworker in 1969 and has served as Business Manager for the Ironworkers Local 392, in addition to being Executive Secretary of the Southwestern Illinois Building Trades, AFL-CIO. Kicielinski attended Belleville Area College and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.