Brian Keeley, a former member of the Regional Transportation Authority’s Citizens’ Advisory
Committee for RTA Next, is the first recipient of the RTA’s new Spirit of Regionalism Award.
The RTA established the award to recognize and honor individuals who exemplify the spirit of
regional collaboration through extraordinary leadership and dedication to advancing
initiatives that benefit the economic well-being of all people in the greater Tucson region.
RTA Officers, Ed Honea, immediate past chair, Joe Winfield, RTA Vice Chair and Tom Murphy,
RTA Second Vice Chair, presented the award. Representatives from the RTA Regional
Ambassadors and RTA staff were present to acknowledge and thank Keeley for his service to
the RTA.
Keeley received the award in recognition of his strong collaborative efforts to assist the
citizens’ advisory committee in moving toward RTA Next plan recommendations for RTA
Board consideration. Development of a new 20-year regional transportation plan continues as
the board considers the plan options.
The current 20-year, $2.1 billion RTA regional transportation plan was approved by Pima
County voters in 2006 along with a half-cent sales tax to fund it. More than 1,000
transportation improvements have been delivered across the greater Tucson region to date.
Both the plan and tax sunset at the end of June 2026. A new $2.46 billion plan and tax
extension, if approved by voters at a future election, are expected to fund essential
transportation projects over the next 20 years.
The RTA provides more than two-thirds of the funding for priority transportation
improvements in the region on an annual basis.
As a regional collaborator, the Spirit of Regionalism Award recipient must demonstrate
unwavering values of:
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Responsibility
- Impartiality
“Brian demonstrated all these qualities during the development of the RTA Next plan.
Throughout his tenure, he skillfully guided the deliberations, especially when members were
deadlocked on recommendations,” said RTA Executive Director Farhad Moghimi. “Despite the
lengthy process of formulating the recommendations, Brian maintained his composure and
steered the committee toward developing recommendations that reflected shared interests.”
Keeley served during the entire time the committee was active, from 2018 to 2024.