Houston just saw a notable addition to its transit leadership, as Angel Ponce, director of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, has officially joined the METRO Board of Directors – a move lauded for bringing hard-won experience and advocacy for the disabled right into the heart of city governance. The
Houston Mayor’s Office
announced that City Council unanimously gave the green light to Mayor John Whitmire’s appointment, signaling a unanimous recognition of the value of lived experience and inclusivity in public service and transportation planning.
Ponce’s resume overflows with over 15 years of dedication to the causes that hit close to home for him and for many in the disabled community, his own journey intensifying after a spinal cord injury in 2004 parked him in a wheelchair here he set about navigating, often literally, the maze of challenges differently-abled folks face in Houston. “As mayor, one of the most rewarding things I get to do is appoint dedicated and talented individuals who truly understand the needs of our community,” Mayor Whitmire reflected in a statement echoed by the
official mayoral release
, “Today, I’m thrilled to nominate someone who will represent the disabled community on our transit system and bring a life story of resilience and determination that inspires us all.”
The METRO Chairman, Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock, didn’t miss a beat in extolling Ponce as a fierce advocate for accessibility and a beacon for the disabled population in Houston, aiming to amplify their potential for fuller, more independent lives. In her words, “His experience and discernment will complement this Board’s commitment to growing ridership and highlight the important role that accessibility plays in the customer experience,” as quoted in the mayoral office announcement.
Ponce’s personal relation to METRO is more than superficial, it’s kin – the very lifeline that ferried him to his milestones: college classes, his first job as a front desk representative; and as a City of Houston intern, METRO Lift was his reliable chariot, standing for more than just transit, but for a sense of direction and potential in the days he newly navigated his disability. “It is with great honor to serve my fellow Houstonians as I take the opportunity to join the METRO Board of Directors,” Ponce
told the Houston Mayor’s Office
, “Together, we will further contribute to delivering equal, safe, clean, viable, and accessible public transportation for all of Houston.”
Effective immediately, Ponce is stepping into the board spot of Chad McMillan, who has departed the post to tend to his own health; Ponce, equipped with a bachelor’s degree in leadership and management from the University of Houston and co-founder creds of the National Coalition for Latinxs with Disabilities (CNLD), is set to steer METRO into a future where everyone’s journey counts.
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