We are proud to promote our many initiatives, news, and accomplishments. Many of these stories are about the outstanding people who work here. Our job is to consistently communicate with and engage the public and stakeholders through various platforms, including web-based, broadcast, social media, video, print, and community events. By incorporating industry best practices, we set a standard for communications on behalf of the NFTA and love what we do!
Helen Tederous
Director of Public Affairs, ext. 7425
I love everything about public transportation; being part of such an essential function in our community is thrilling, demanding, and rewarding all at the same time. I’m most proud of the people of the NFTA and all they do to keep Western New York moving!
Lisa Piecki
Manager, Community Relations & Internal Communications, ext. 7672
Lisa helps promote the Authority's brand through a variety of activities. Creating and disseminating content through various platforms is integral to her role. She is involved with developing highly visible marketing campaigns and deploying internal communications authority-wide. She also plans and executes special events in support of ongoing NFTA and transportation initiatives. She enjoys working with others and building strong collaborations and effective partnerships inside and outside the NFTA.
Gerald Rott
Manager, Creative Services, ext. 7632
Jerry started with the NFTA in 2023. He spent 10 years at WKBW/Ch.7 in various technical and news roles and 13 years at Buffalo Business First in both news and sales. As a Manager in the Creative Services department, Jerry plans, coordinates, and executes internal and external media campaigns. When you have a project that needs creative services help, Jerry is the point person to contact. He lives in Kenmore with his wife and three children, enjoys all the seasons WNY has to offer, and is often found outside with his family and dogs.
Kelly Khatib
Manager, Communications & Public Information Officer, ext. 7420
Kelly Khatib joined the NFTA in 2022 just in time for two historic snow storms! As the Communication Manager, she handles external relations with the media, local government officials, and community partners. Kelly did an excellent job with the promotion of several major NFTA campaigns including "Ride Nice", Fire and Police Recruitment, as well as the roll out of our new MetGo fare system. Kelly comes to us from the world of broadcast journalism, where she started as a news Assistant for Spectrum News One and worked her way up to Morning Reporter. Before that, she was the Digital Reporter/Producer for WIVB News 4.
Letia Worrell
Administrative Assistant, ext. 7210
Letia worked for a year as NFTA's File Clerk/Receptionist in Central Services before joining the Public Affairs Team as our Administrative Assistant. Tia is highly organized and does a fantastic job of keeping departmental projects moving. She has two children: a son, Delano, and a daughter, I’yanah. She also has three "fur baby" cats: Connor, Mia, and Milo.
Max Thayer
Web Application Developer, ext. 7625
Max maintains many of the Web-based services NFTA provides and is working to build new online solutions to meet the demands of our customers in an ever-evolving digital world. Max comes to us from NITTEC, where he did an outstanding job creating and maintaining active and informative Web applications. He resides in Kenmore with his wife and son. He enjoys the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and barbecuing from the smoker.
Caitlin Klein
Senior Design Specialist, ext. 7432
Caitlin started as a graphics intern, then became our first Social Media Specialist and (now) our Senior Design Specialist. In all roles, she has helped to communicate messages that engage the public and our customers creatively. To assist in recruitment efforts for Metro, she helped develop an innovative “Workforce Wednesday” campaign highlighting actual employees. The campaign significantly increased awareness of job opportunities at the NFTA and was honored with a first-place AdWheel Award by the American Public Transit Association. Caitlin also manages Metro schedule design, which is not easy, but she keeps everything on track. Outside work, Caitlin enjoys spending time with her husband and their two fur babies, Beau and Stella.
Dave Masi
Traffic Coordinator Media Specialist, ext. 7318
Dave has been the NFTA’s morning traffic reporter for several radio stations & first for Channel 7 Eyewitness News This Morning for 25+ years, and, since 2013, for Channel 2 News Daybreak. Dave provides live traffic reports & transit information on weekday mornings in exchange for television & radio advertising for Metro Bus & Rail. In 2014, he even won a New York State Emmy Award! In addition, he is the media buyer, working on advertising deals on broadcast, print, & outdoor advertising for The Authority. Before joining the NFTA, Dave spent 17 years as a local air personality for several radio stations. In his spare time, Dave volunteers for several local charities & has been a volunteer director for five years for Team RWB Buffalo, the local branch of a worldwide Veteran service organization.
Miranda Schiller, UX Designer, ext. 6554
Erica Reeb, Graphic Designer, ext. 7379