Leadership

Vasti Amaro is the chief of staff for Port Authority of Allegheny County, supporting the chief executive officer in all aspects of the agency. She brings over 25 years of passenger transport experience. Prior to joining Port Authority in January of 2019, she was acting director of transportation for Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, assisting with the evacuation of Hurricane Irma and implementing the Mission Max route optimization plan. She also has had experience as director of business development, director of maintenance, senior vice president of operations and general manager for global transport firms. Vasti is an alumni of the Women's Transportation Seminar Leadership Program and studied Business Management at the University of Phoenix. She has served on several industry and non-profit boards demonstrating her leadership skills.

Maurice Bell serves as Port Authority’s Chief Operating Officer. His division includes bus and rail operations, and oversees more than 1,200 operators and mechanics. Maurice joined Port Authority in January 2019 with 27 years transit and paratransit experience. After starting his career as a paratransit bus operator, Maurice worked in several different capacities within operations before moving into management roles at Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority in California, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, and most recently served as vice president of mobility solutions at Keolis Transit America, where he was responsible for the development and deployment of innovative operating models. Maurice holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from American Intercontinental University, and has also graduated from the American Public Transportation Association's Leadership Program.

Mike Cetra serves as Port Authority’s Chief Legal Officer and Open Records Officer. His division includes the Legal & Consulting Services, Internal Audit, Claims and System Safety Departments, and the Port Authority Police Department. Prior to joining Port Authority in early 2007, Mike was in private practice as a commercial litigator. Mike earned his Juris Doctorate, magna cum laude, and Master of Business Administration degrees from Duquesne University, and his Bachelor of Arts degree, with a concentration in English writing, from the University of Pittsburgh. Mike is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and before the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations and the Association of Corporate Counsel.

Chief Human Resources Officer Inez Colon is responsible for the strategic development and management of HR core functions, including benefits, compensation, talent acquisition and development, employee and labor/union relations, alcohol/drug compliance, civil rights/diversity and fostering a positive and productive culture. Prior to joining Port Authority in 2001, Inez was a senior recruiter for U.S. Airways and VP for Organizational Design Consultants. Inez received a Bachelor’s degree in HR Management/Personnel Administration from Baruch College, City University of New York, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh and has completed all coursework toward her doctoral program, also at Pitt. She holds a Senior Certified Professional certification from the Society for HR Management and a Senior Professional in HR certification from the HR Certification Institute. Inez also teaches HR at various universities.

Jeffrey Devlin has served as Port Authority’s Chief Information Officer since May 2018. His division oversees internal and external technological advancements to improve public transportation in Allegheny County. Prior to joining Port Authority, Jeffrey spent more than 25 years designing systems and leading the implementation of various technology projects, mostly in the higher education sector. In 2015, the Pittsburgh Technology Council and Greater Pittsburgh CIO Group named Jeffrey CIO of the Year in Education. Jeffrey earned his Bachelor's degree in business computer systems analysis from Saint Vincent College and his Master of Business Adminstration from Robert Morris University.

Chief Development Officer David Huffaker joined Port Authority in September 2018 after 15 years at Sound Transit in Seattle. David oversees the Engineering and Technical Support functions, long range Planning, Scheduling, Contracted Services (ACCESS) and the Transit Oriented Communities and Sustainability Programs. During his time at Sound Transit, David progressed from financial analyst to deputy executive director of operations and support services. Prior to his tenure at Sound Transit, David held positions at Price Waterhouse in Chicago, the Port of Seattle and Microsoft. David received a Bachelor's degree in economics from Stanford University, a Master's degree from the University of Washington, and is a Certified Public Accountant. David was a member of the Leadership APTA class of 2014 and participates on a number of APTA committees. He was also a member of the Eno Transit Senior Executive Class of 2018.

Jim Ritchie serves as Port Authority’s Chief Communications Officer. His division includes Marketing, Public Relations, Government Relations, Customer Service, Advertising and Creative Services. Prior to joining Port Authority in 2009, Jim was a reporter and editor with local news organizations for more than 15 years. Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in Rhetorical Communication from the University of Pittsburgh and will soon complete a Master of Science degree from Brandeis University in Digital Marketing and Design. Jim is a member of the American Marketing Association, the American Public Transportation Association’s Marketing & Communications Committee, and serves on the executive committee for the Airport Corridor Transportation Association.

Peter Schenk is Port Authority’s Chief Financial Officer.  His division includes procurement, operating accounting, cash management, service center operations, grants and capital programs, accounts payable, payroll, administrative services and materials. Peter has been with the Port Authority for more than 18 years in various capacities with the Finance Department. Prior to joining the Port Authority, Peter worked for Allegheny County as a Budget Analyst and a Capital Budget Manager. Peter also worked for a number of years for the City of Pittsburgh as a Budget Analyst. Peter is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association and the Pennsylvania Association of Public Employees Retirement Systems. He volunteers with his family for the Miracle League of Southwestern Pennsylvania.