Appointments made to Transit Authority board

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson recently appointed Steven M. Potter of Rochester Hills, and Matthew M. Wirgau of Bloomfield Hills, to the Regional Transit Authority Governing Board. "Matt and Steve are two well-qualified individuals who will robustly represent the interests of Oakland County residents and taxpayers on the RTA Governing Board," Patterson said. "Their leadership, along with the other board members, will enable the RTA to operate in a similar manner and as successfully as the Cobo, Zoo, and DIA authorities." Wirgau served from 1990-2008 on the board of directors for the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), the region's successful suburban bus system. He was chairman from 1994-2008. In addition, he was deputy administrator and special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President Ronald Reagan from 1983 to 1989. He currently is president and managing member of Midwest Financial Service LLC in Bloomfield Hills. He holds a Bachelor of Science in accountancy from Ferris State University and a Master of Business Administration from George Washington University. His term will end March 12, 2015. "As my appointee to the SMART board for 18 years, Matt has an outstanding record on regional transportation issues," Patterson said. Potter is president and partner of the Potter, DeAgostino, O'Dea & Patterson law firm in Auburn Hills. He is a trial attorney with experience in transportation safety, municipal law and highway liability, including representing the Road Commission for Oakland County. Potter is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the American and Oakland County bar associations. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Wayne State University and his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. His term will end March 12, 2014. "As Steve's former law partner, I know him to be an aggressive litigator with a vast knowledge of municipal and transportation law," Patterson said. Published: Wed, Mar 27, 2013