Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct Pointer’s title with Preserver Partners. She is CEO.
As nine board members newly appointed to the Memphis Area Transit Authority sat before the Memphis City Council Tuesday, Councilwoman Pearl Walker asked a pointed question: In the past year, how many of you have taken a ride on a MATA bus?
Two of the nine raised a hand.
Walker then urged the board members, who were confirmed later that afternoon, to each use public transit as they began to guide the authority.
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Several of those new board members told MLK50: Justice Through Journalism that they plan to do just that. Some grew up using public transit in Memphis but stopped once they obtained driver’s licenses, and as transit became increasingly unreliable, they said.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young announced a “clean slate” overhaul of the board last Friday, after consultant TransPro issued a scathing report, noting a “lack of Board oversight” as MATA engaged in “poor financial management” and saw a decline in bus ridership of 82% since 1991.
The previous iteration of the board included one member who relied on public transit upon her appointment but later had other transit options. The new members will complete the terms of previous members, meaning their terms will expire on a rolling basis.
Here are the biographies of the nine new MATA board members — who will start their work immediately — as well as their answers to MLK50’s questions about their relationship with MATA.
Brandon Arrindell, 38
Background: Arrindell is an analyst and portfolio manager at Southeastern Asset Management and a managing partner and portfolio manager at Greenwood Pine Partners. Arrindell serves on the nonprofit boards for The Collective Blueprint, STAR Academy and REACH Memphis, according to his resume. He also serves on the Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation.
Term: Arrindell’s term expires Feb. 7, 2025.
MATA experience: MLK50 was not able to reach Arrindell for comment prior to publication.
Cynthia Bailey, 52
Background: Bailey is an advocate for women experiencing domestic violence at YWCA Greater Memphis. Since 2012, she has also served as organizational coordinator and co-chair of the Memphis Bus Riders Union, a role that included advocacy for riders and regular attendance at MATA meetings.
Term: Bailey’s term expires Jan. 31, 2025.
MATA experience: Bailey last rode the bus Monday and said she rides it “every day” due to her role as an advocate.
“I have to get out here and be able to hear voices (of riders),” Bailey said.
Emily Greer, 62
Background: Greer is the owner of Greer Leadership Solutions. Greer serves on the boards of Christian Brothers University, Compass Community Schools and the Community Redevelopment Agency. She spent 29 years as a senior executive at ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital until retiring in 2021.
Term: Greer’s term expires Sept. 30, 2025.
MATA experience: Greer told MLK50 that she rode the bus as a child growing up in South Memphis, including to school, until she received her driver’s license at 15. Now living in Harbortown, she regularly sees the importance of the downtown transit center, but wasn’t aware of MATA’s difficulties until reading about it in the news recently.
“It’s not super friendly if you have to be somewhere, and that’s been the case for a while,” she said.
Sandi Klink, 68
Background: Klink is the retired executive director of Disability Connection Midsouth (Memphis Center for Independent Living). She also serves on the boards of the University of Memphis Institute on Disability and the Tennessee Disability Coalition. She has lived in Memphis for more than 50 years.
Term: Klink’s term expires Jan. 31, 2026.
MATA experience: Klink said in her previous job, she often worked with MATA to advocate for riders. She’s taken the bus with staff downtown, sometimes to City Hall, and has seen clients have difficulties with MATA’s paratransit services. Two employees at Disability Connection Midsouth will not be able to get to work if routes are cut on Nov. 3, she said.
“I have seen the same response from MATA for years and it’s way past time to change,” Klink said.
Brian Marflak, 52
Background: Marflak is the vice president of global planning and engineering at FedEx Express, where he has worked for 26 years. A resident of Collierville, Marflak is involved with the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network and is a board member at Memphis Athletic Ministries.
Term: Marflak’s term expires June 30, 2026.
MATA experience: Marflak told MLK50 that he’s a transplant to the Memphis area and has no experience with MATA. He grew up using public transit in Pittsburgh and, since coming to Memphis, has seen how difficult public transit is for Memphians. Marflak said he plans to ride a MATA bus soon and is eager to use his expertise in logistics — including route planning — to benefit MATA.
Jackson McNeil, 31
Background: McNeil is the transportation and mobility director at the nonprofit Innovate Memphis. In that role, he has researched policies and resources for public transit in Memphis. He previously worked in the strategic planning unit at the New York City Department of Transportation. McNeil also serves on the board of BLDG Memphis and is a member of the transit equity team at the Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope.
Term: McNeil’s term expires Aug. 24, 2025.
MATA experience: McNeil said he most recently rode a MATA bus last month and that he usually rides monthly. His personal experience with MATA includes having depended on the system while in graduate school, using a bus scheduled to run every 90 minutes from downtown to the University of Memphis. He has spent several years working in partnership with MATA to find funding for the agency.
Anna McQuiston, 54
Background: McQuiston is executive director of The MidSouth Development District, an independent organization backed by the government, which leads regional planning and funding acquisition in six counties. She is also involved with the National Association of Regional Councils and the New Memphis Institute.
Term: McQuiston’s term expires Jan. 22, 2026.
MATA experience: McQuiston told MLK50 she used to ride the bus home from school most days while in high school, but it’s “been a while” since she last used MATA. She lived in Boston for four years, where she used transit every day.
“I love that everybody focuses so much on MATA needs to get people to jobs, which is so important,” McQuiston said. “But for me it’s also that MATA needs to get people home at the end of the day so you can eat dinner, talk about homework, do all those things that we know are really invaluable in our community as well.”
Dana Pointer, 52
Background: Pointer is chief executive officer for Preserver Partners. Born in Memphis, she serves on the boards of Preserver Partners Foundation, RISE Memphis, Downtown Memphis Commission Center City Revenue Finance Corp, Bridges USA and Benedict College’s Burroughs Business School. She is also a member of the Memphis Chamber Chairman’s Circle.
Term: Pointer’s term expires Aug. 31, 2026.
MATA experience: Pointer said she rode MATA buses as a high school student, both to Central High School and to work. She said she likely hasn’t boarded a MATA bus in more than 20 years but plans to take a bus ride soon.
“It was very dependable and reliable then,” she said.
Maya Siggers, 41
Background: Siggers is associate general counsel at Edward D. Jones & Co., LP Legal Division. She was previously an assistant city attorney for Memphis from 2012-2018 and worked in the legal department of Wells Fargo from 2019-2022. Siggers has also served on the Edward Jones Diversity and Inclusion Council.
Term: Siggers’ term expires June 30, 2027.
MATA experience: MLK50 was not able to reach Siggers for comment prior to publication.
Katherine Burgess is the government accountability reporter for MLK50: Justice Through Journalism. Contact her at katherine.burgess@mlk50.com
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