L. Brooks Patterson Appoints Bloomfield Hills Resident to RTA

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson appointed Steven M. Potter, 56, a resident of Rochester Hills, and Matthew M. Wirgau, 60, a resident ofBloomfield Hills, to the Regional Transit Authority Governing Board. The appointments wereeffective yesterday.

“Matt and Steve are two well-qualified individuals who will robustly represent the interests ofOakland County residents and taxpayers on the RTA Governing Board,” Patterson said. “Theirleadership, along with the other board members, will enable the RTA to operate in a similarmanner and as successfully as the Cobo, Zoo, and DIA authorities.”

Wirgau served from 1990-2008 on the board of directors for the Suburban Mobility Authorityfor Regional Transportation (SMART), the region’s successful suburban bus system. He waschairman from 1994-2008. In addition, he was deputy administrator and special assistant tothe U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President Ronald Reagan from 1983 to 1989. Hecurrently is president and managing member of Midwest Financial Service, LLC, in BloomfieldHills. He holds a Bachelor of Science in accountancy from Ferris State University and a Masterof Business Administration from George Washington University. He is married and has twochildren. His term will end March 12, 2015.

“As my appointee to the SMART board for 18 years, Matt has an outstanding record on regionaltransportation issues,” Patterson said.

Potter is president and partner of the Potter, DeAgostino, O’Dea & Patterson law firm in AuburnHills. He is a trial attorney with extensive experience in transportation safety, municipal law andhighway liability, including representing the Road Commission for Oakland County. Potter, amember of the American, Michigan and Oakland County bar associations, earned his Bachelorof Science from Wayne State University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit-Mercy. He is married with two children. 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 ofmunicipal and transportation law,” Patterson said.