Board of Directors & Leadership

Bonita K. Black is a partner with K&L Gates, an AmLaww100 law firm, where she is a member of the Mergers and Acquisitions practice group. Her practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions law and corporate, structured, and public finance law. She has also served as outside corporate counsel to several nonprofit and for-profit organizations.

Prior to joining the firm, Bonita was former bond counsel to New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, New York State Housing Finance Agency, State of New York Mortgage Agency, Kentucky Housing Corporation, Brooklyn Union Gas, and Consolidated Edison Company in New York. She was in-house as senior corporate attorney at LG&E Energy Corp., now LG&E and KU Energy (a PPL company), and worked on the acquisitions of Kentucky Utilities Company, Western Kentucky Energy Company, Powergen, E.ON US, PPL, and the Big Rivers bankruptcy. While in house at LG&E, she also supported the company’s wind farms in California, Spain, and Texas. In addition to those roles, Bonita did bond counsel work for Duke Energy and was bond counsel for Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District and Louisville Water Company, including the proposed merger of Louisville Water Company and Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District. She served as the inaugural managing partner of a regional firm’s Louisville office. Bonita served as telecommunications regulatory counsel to some public utilities and has served as Special HUD counsel on single and multi-family housing transactions.

Black holds a bachelor’s degree with highest honors from the University of Kentucky and is a Harvard Law School graduate. She appears on the list of 2022 Best Lawyers in America.

Tawanda Owsley is a non-profit fundraising executive with more than 20 years of experience and proven results. She currently serves as the Senior Vice President/Chief Development Officer for Hosparus Health, which is the second largest non-profit in Louisville, Kentucky. Under her leadership, the organization’s $24 million People of Compassion comprehensive campaign is scheduled to reach its fundraising goal nearly a year ahead of schedule.

Prior to joining Hosparus Health, Tawanda served as the Executive Director at the American Red Cross Bluegrass Chapter in Lexington, KY, Market Director of Philanthropy at KentuckyOne Health, and Director of Major Gifts at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. These positions, combined with her experiences at the University of Kentucky, Norton Healthcare/Kosair Children’s Hospital, and Metro United Way, provide Tawanda with a wide range of nonprofit leadership and philanthropic expertise.

Tawanda earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Louisville and a Master’s in Business Communication from Spalding University. In addition to fundraising, Tawanda excels at strategic planning, public speaking, leadership development, board development and problem solving. Past Board Involvement includes Transit Authority of River City (TARC), Greater Louisville Inc, Leadership Louisville Center, Louisville Urban League, Lexington Children’s Theatre, Commerce Lexington, Lexington Transit Authority. Tawanda was also recognized as a Distinguished Leader in Leadership Lexington and was recognized as a Top 40 under 40 by Business First of Louisville.

These skills earned Tawanda a place in the Leadership Louisville Bingham Fellows Class of 2021.

Ted Smith was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) in April 2019. Ted is an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology and deputy director of the Environment Institute at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. His research program is focused on the personal, social and natural environmental factors that may modify cardio-metabolic disease risk. A second area of focus is the development of new models and frameworks for translating scientific knowledge to the lay public, healthcare industry, and policy makers. Previously Ted served as CEO of Revon Systems which developed digital therapeutics for autonomous triage of pulmonary exacerbations. Ted also served as Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Louisville Kentucky where he created the largest real time asthma surveillance research program AIRLouisville.

Ted received his B.S. in Biology and Psychology from Allegheny College, his M.S. and PhD in Experimental Psychology from Miami University and completed his post-doctoral studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Man Vehicle Laboratory. Ted was co-investigator on Neurolab space shuttle mission.

Jan has worked in the non-profit sector her entire professional career. Until May 2020 she served as the Executive Director/CEO of the Center for Accessible Living, with over 30 years of service.  The Center for Accessible Living (CAL) is a federally funded center for independent living funded by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. At the time of her retirement in 2020 the CAL budget had grown substantially to $5 million dollars and added satellite offices in Murray, and Bowling Green. The programs were carried out with a staff of over 40 individuals and served programs throughout the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Prior to joining the Center for Accessible Living, she served as the Director of the Kosciusko County Big Brother/Big Sister Program—she was the first director of the program and was responsible for all aspects of matching the children and the volunteers, public relations, and fund raising. She has held Executive Director Positions, at the Jasper County Council on Aging in Rennesselaer Indiana, and Executive Director of Evergreen Elderly Services in Columbus, Indiana.

Jan served on a number of board of directors during her career. Nationally she was the Sec., and board member of the National Council on Independent Living. She was chosen as one of the first 100 individuals from across the country to receive training on the regulations and legislation of the Americans with Disabilities Act by the U.S. Department of Justice and EEOC.  She also served as a member of the Harrison County Indiana Foundation which selected and established the funds generated from the Casino that the county would receive—these funds made it possible that any child in Harrison County, Indiana who wanted to attend post-secondary education would receive seed money to attend.

Jan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Purdue University in Psychology. Jan has a strong background in fund raising and fund development and enjoys working with the community in public relations, public speaking, and helping to “think outside the box”. In all of her positions she was able to build and grow a diverse staff of strong leaders.

Dave W. Christopher Sr. is a web designer, IT professional, and entrepreneur from Gary, IN. Prior to moving to Louisville Dave worked as a High Rise Sign Technician and Project Manager for a major sign company. He proudly served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force as a Communications Technician spending the majority of his military career serving overseas in the Philippines, Korea, Japan, Germany, and Turkey.

Dave W. Christopher Sr. is the Executive Director and Founder of AMPED Music Academy, AMPED Russell Tech Business Incubator, and owner of Level Seven Recording Studio. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Louisville. Dave is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. He is the recipient of the KET American Graduate Hero Award, the Kentucky Blacks in Media Award, Black Media Collaborative, Metro United Way Black Male Achievement Innovation Award, Most Admired CEO Award Business First, Sam Watkins Light The Way Award, and Sullivan Community Service Award. Dave is an Alden Fellow, BMe Fellow, and a Humana Fellow. Dave is married with three children.

Jennifer joined the TARC team in 2004. She is a graduate of Spalding University with a bachelor’s in Psychology. She has previously worked as a CSR, Lead CSR, Call Center Supervisor, and Assistant Director of Paratransit and Customer Service; she has over 15 years of experience working with contracts in the paratransit industry.

As Director of Mobility Services she is responsible for guaranteeing the Paratransit Program remains in compliance with FTA and ADA recommendations and guidance, and ensuring contractors are delivering paratransit service to the community.

Geoff joined the TARC team in 2004. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville with a Master of Public Administration degree.

As Director of Grants & Capital Programs he is responsible for administering TARC’s Federal and State grants, and for managing TARC’s Capital Programs.

Hobin has served on the boards of the Center for Neighborhoods, the Louisville Group of the Sierra Club, and the Louisville Metro Community Action Agency. Currently he serves as President of the Board of the Louisville Climate Action Network (LCAN).

Dwight joined the TARC team in 1998 and has called Louisville home since he was 8 years old. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville School of Business.

As Director of Information Technology he is dedicated to leveraging technology in the improvement of Public Transit and committed to pioneering solutions that will help define TARC as a leader in the transit Industry.

Maddox is honored to be a member of the Board of Kosair Charities in Louisville and spends much of his spare time engaged in their mission of helping children in need. Dwight is active in many local civic and fraternal organizations. He and his wife Rebecca are both members of the Drepung Gomang Center for Engaging Compassion in Louisville.

William Harris joined the TARC team in 2006. He has a degree from Great Plains Vocational School in Automotive and Diesel Technology.

As Director of Maintenance he is responsible for managing the maintenance of all the buses, buildings, and support equipment.

Harris has served on a joint committee with the Department of Labor, American Public Transportation Association and The Learning Center. William also serves on The American Public Transportation Association Bus Roadeo Committee.

Aida joined the TARC team in 2010. She is a graduate from the University of Sarajevo with a degree in Civil Engineering.

As Director of Planning she manages TARC’s current and long-range planning efforts, oversees service planning and scheduling, and on-street infrastructure improvements.

Copic is a member of several professional organizations, AICP, APTA, APA and APA KY Chapter, ULI and TCRP. She is involved in a number of community-wide regional and local transportation projects and development initiatives and has experience in Transportation and Land Use Planning, Project Management, Strategic Planning, Civil Engineering, Funding and Grants applications, Pedestrian Planning, and Urban Design.