CTA board approves Lester Barclay as chairman
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
Federal Transit Administration
The Chicago Transit Board [last week] approved Lester Barclay as its next chairman.
A champion of public service in the city, Barclay is a seasoned legal advocate that has leveraged his resources to bring positive change to the areas of transit, civil rights, health and education.
As Chairman of the CTA Board, which serves as the governing arm of the Chicago Transit Authority, Barclay will join the seven-member board in providing direction and approval of CTA policy and governance matters. Additionally, Barclay, who was appointed by Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, will work closely with the CTA in overseeing a variety of current projects and initiatives.
“Lester has extensive experience in both public service and law, and has made many valuable contributions to the CTA Citizen’s Advisory Board,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “We look forward to working with the Chairman and Board on our efforts to provide the highest level of service to our customers, as well as the continued modernization of our infrastructure.”
“As a native Chicagoan, I understand and appreciate the role that public transportation plays in connecting our communities and creating opportunities for our residents,” Barclay said. “That role is especially important as the City reopens, and customers return to the CTA. I am grateful to Mayor Lightfoot for this opportunity and look forward to working with my fellow Board members and President Carter to ensure that the CTA continues to provide high-quality and equitable service to all Chicagoans.”
An accomplished attorney with more than three decades of legal practice in Chicago, Barclay serves as senior partner at The Barclay Law Group P.C. In addition to his legal practice, Barclay has been involved in various civic and charitable organizations including Board Chairman for the CTA Citizens Advisory Board. Additionally, he served as: Advisory Board Member for the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs; President of the Chicago Office of Tourism & Cultural Affairs; President of the Board of Directors for the Christian Community Health Center; former member of the Oberlin College Board of Trustees; Chicago Legal Aid Bureau; Delegate to the Jamaica Diaspora Conference 2006 and 2008 and Board Member for the Illinois African American Family Commission.
Barclay is a graduate of Oberlin College where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree and Case Western Reserve University where he earned his Juris Doctor.
