The Greater Dayton RTA will honor the work of Director of Government and Community Relations Anthony Whitmore as he retires from the Greater Dayton RTA on Thursday, Feb. 4. He will be recognized at the 3 p.m. RTA board meeting at Wright Stop Plaza.
Whitmore has been an enthusiastic advocate for public transportation and the Greater Dayton RTA for the past 13 years. As the agency’s liaison to local businesses, organizations, elected officials, community groups and customers, Whitmore’s influence has deep and far-reaching impact locally and nationally.
As Director of Government and Community Relations with RTA, Whitmore focused on legislative efforts at both the state and federal levels. Congress recently passed a five-year, $281 billion fully-funded surface transportation bill titled “Fixing American’s Surface Transportation” (FAST) Act. Whitmore was the Greater Dayton RTA’s public transportation advocate throughout that long and successful process.
“Anthony leaves an incredibly large pair of shoes to be filled at RTA,” said RTA Chief Executive Officer Mark Donaghy. He is a trusted resource, he said, and “is seen as the face of RTA in our region. He has served RTA and its customers with dedication and love.” Whether it was an individual or group, business or municipality, Anthony worked to advocate for the needs of public transit users, he added. “He will be sorely missed, but we know he will continue his work in the community and support our cause as well.”
Prior to his work with RTA, Whitmore was the Ohio Governor’s Regional Director in the Department of Development for Region V. He was responsible for facilitating economic growth within a nine-county area. He also served as the Executive Director of the Dayton Job Corps, was Deputy Director of the Ohio Department of Development, and was Senior Administrator at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Whitmore’s efforts include working as a business and educational consultant, an educator, a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and advocate for public transportation. He’s had a positive impact on countless people in the Dayton region.
His expertise and advice has been sought by a number of organizations. He has served on a large number and wide variety of boards, committees, and foundations ranging from Wright State University Alumni Board to the Muse Machine Board. His past work includes minority affairs, business development, vocational training, economic development and individual mentoring.
