MVTA Board Elects New Chair, Honors Outgoing Chair Dan Kealey
Feb 3, 2026 12:44 pm
The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) Board of Commissioners elected new leadership at its January 28 meeting, marking a transition that reflects both continuity and forward momentum for the south metro transit agency.
After serving as Board Chair for the past two years, Dan Kealey concluded his term. The Board unanimously elected Jay Whiting to serve as MVTA Board Chair for 2026.
“It’s been the honor of my professional life to serve as board chair,” Kealey said. “Together, we expanded services, strengthened partnerships, improved governance, and positioned MVTA to better serve transit riders and communities across the south metro.”
Dan Kealey, at left, and Jay Whiting.
Kealey tenure
During Kealey’s tenure, MVTA expanded service options, rolled out new digital tools, strengthened regional partnerships, and launched targeted programs to support underserved communities. The Board also tightened financial controls, increased transparency, and fostered a more collaborative governance culture.
Kealey has served on the MVTA Board of Commissioners since 2010 and previously served as vice chair from 2022 to 2023. He was recently elected to the National League of Cities Board of Directors and appointed to its Executive Committee for 2026.
MVTA recorded significant ridership gains in 2025. Total ridership reached 1,538,182 trips in 2025, an increase of 7.8 percent over 2024, reflecting strong demand across fixed-route and on-demand services.
Ridership growth
MVTA’s ridership growth is a direct result of focusing on what our customers need and how they travel today, Kealey noted.
“The leadership of outgoing Chair Dan Kealey has put MVTA in a strong position moving forward,” Whiting said. “His experience, transit expertise, and commitment to public service have served the agency and our communities extremely well.”
Whiting has served on the MVTA Board since 2017 and was vice chair in 2025. He has been a Shakopee City Councilor since 2012 and serves as chair of the city’s Economic Development Authority.
Local governance
“I look forward to continuing MVTA’s work to provide efficient, responsible public transportation that meets the needs of south metro residents,” Whiting said. “Our governance model ensures we remain responsive to the communities we serve.”
In addition to Whiting’s election as chair, the Board elected Dakota County Commissioner Mary Hamann-Roland as vice chair and Rosemount Councilor Paul Essler as secretary/treasurer.
The MVTA Board of Commissioners includes representatives from Dakota County and the cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, and Rosemount, as well as Scott County and the cities of Prior Lake, Savage, and Shakopee.
