Current CAT Members

My name is T.J. Anderson and I was born here in Portland, Oregon. My disability came around in the form of nerve damage from Rapid Onset Beriberi, essentially short circuiting my body, and after a career in kitchens up and down the west coast from 14 years old to 24 I was done.

After that some time I had to relearn how to walk with a body that did not respond in the same way and after some time I got back up and now I walk with a cane and through that experience it has led me being a disability community advocate through PCC after working a few years for TriMet LIFT. During my time at PCC taking classes as health allowed, I was an honor society president, a national semifinalist for an honor society and a school senator responsible for budgets and internal operations.

Currently I am in PSU as health allows me to finish a double bachelor program in Quantitative Economics and Business Administration. In my free time I work on learning more skills and becoming more adaptable for situations in leadership and business. In my free time I will cook, go weightlifting, play some video games and watch a Golden Knights game if it’s on. I do not eat out a lot because of everything, but I do like going to different markets to find some cheap ingredients to cook with.

I am a person with a disability and when I was denied a teaching job because of my disability, and before the ADA was passed, I focused my career in civil and human rights. I am employed with Multnomah County Aging, Disability and Veterans Services, and currently Interim Director of Disability Awareness Resource Team (DART). DART supports and advocates for persons with disabilities who are survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. I have been a member and chaired numerous State and local Councils, Boards and Committees.

People with disabilities often are not included on committees, boards and commissions that discuss, and make decisions and policies that affect persons with disabilities. The ways I serve my community is to be actively involved with groups that can make positive change, and to get disability on their agenda. Others, mainly CAT members, and I bring the attention of the barriers to TriMet and work together to eliminate them so that our public transit can truly be accessible to everyone. I and two other individuals with disabilities, along with TriMet staff, started the CAT Committee. I love working with the Committee because we are passionate in what we do. Many of the committee members are peers, meaning people with disabilities and older adults who ride the system. We try to work as a team, meaning Committee members and TriMet, to come up with solutions so that we can eliminate barriers that exist.

My favorite place to go is on trails with my friends, and favorite place to eat is anywhere that has good Italian food.

I retired in 2018 after many years in public transportation. Initially I served as a volunteer at Elders in Action, later (and currently) as a member of the Aging Services Advisory Council for Multnomah County Human Services. I applied for membership with the CAT because my work at Multnomah County oriented me to the fact that transportation is a huge issue in providing effective services to seniors and persons with disabilities. I served on the Ad-Hoc committee that Multnomah County organized to address major service quality issues with the non-emergency medical transportation system. I also serve as the County representative to the Rules Advisory Committee for non-emergency medical transportation in the State of Oregon.

The community I am most concerned about is the large number of seniors who should no longer drive but do not qualify for LIFT paratransit. In dealing with barriers related to accessibility, I believe we need to do more outreach with this community and more training with TriMet operators about how to provide effective services to them when they use the fixed route system.

My favorite place to eat is Nuestra Cocina on SE Division in Portland.

Ulysses Harmony Garcia (she/they) is a proud Oregon native currently living in Tigard. As a blind, hard-of-hearing, neurodivergent, and transgender individual, Ulysses brings a unique and intersectional perspective to her advocacy work in accessibility, affordable housing, and inclusive transportation. She currently serves on the Resident Advisory Board for the Housing Authority of Washington County and is passionate about breaking down systemic barriers in both housing and transit. Since she has experienced every possible barrier to employment and higher education due to her intersecting identities, she knows how crucial her work is to ensure that people in her position won't have to fight as hard to get their needs met.

A bilingual speaker of English and Spanish, Ulysses is deeply committed to expanding accessibility for the visually and hearing-impaired, as well as improving language access for all transit users. She is particularly interested in how artificial intelligence and remote assistance technologies, like AIRA, can help make transportation systems more inclusive.

Ulysses’s journey with TriMet began in 2005 when a mobility instructor introduced her to TriMet Lift services. Since enrolling in 2008, she has relied on the system to stay connected to her community. Her favorite ride is the WES Commuter Rail, where the sensory experience of the diesel engines provides a sense of grounding and comfort.

With an eager curiosity to learn, Ulysses has gained a wealth of knowledge in public relations, cold calls/phone banking, and content creation using WordPress. These skills are invaluable to any professional workplace, and she was grateful to organizations like NorthStar Clubhouse and Recovery Cafe Roseway for their ever-lasting support in her endeavors.

Outside of her advocacy work, Ulysses is known for her curiosity and love of exploring. Whether spending time outdoors, connecting with nature, or cruising the Willamette River aboard Portland Spirit or the high-speed Explorer Jet Boat, she finds joy in discovery and movement. Together with the support of her Direct Support Professional (DSP), Ulysses continues to advocate for inclusive spaces where all individuals — regardless of disability, identity, or background — can thrive.

Erin Graham currently serves as President and CEO of OMSI. She has worked with the nonprofit in various roles, including COO, for more than a decade. She sees her role on the TriMet Board as a relationship-builder, engaging with and stewarding diverse partners and community relationships. Her vision for transit includes shared economic prosperity and environmental stewardship, driven by innovation.

“Investing in upgrading and electrifying public transportation and increasing ridership are critical to reaching our climate goals and reducing impacts on human health,” Graham said.

Before OMSI, Graham worked in nonprofit fundraising, operations and as in-house counsel for arts and technology industries. She holds a JD/MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon. Graham is a member of the American Leadership Forum of Oregon as well as the International Women’s Forum.

My name is Richard E. Hunter Sr., and I am a new member to the CAT team as of July 1, 2024. I am a native of Portland Oregon and I have been using public transportation in Portland since my mother would take me to medical and dental appointments in the 50’s and 60’s when it was Rose City Transit. In the late 60’s, I started riding Rose City Transit on my own, even when it became TriMet and up to this present day.

I have always been an active Public Transportation Commuter and I have always been an advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Civic Life. I have served on boards and committees for a number of organizations over the last 45 years (e.g., Sabin Community Development Corporation, Housing Our Families, Oregon Health Commision, Oregon Human Rights Coalition, Humboldt Neighborhood Association, Jefferson High School Alumni Association, JHS Conceptual Master Planning Committee, JHS Comprehensive Planning Committee, JHS Design Advisory Group, Urban League of Portland, NAACP Portland Branch 1120-B Environmental & Climate Justice Committee, AARP Oregon, AARP N/NE Portland Chapter 5264, PBOT Pedestrian Advisory Committee). I have also served on dozens of Focus Groups around Transportation, Environment and Emergency Preparedness.

In 2013, I purposely transitioned from owning a car to riding my Bicycle and using public transportation on a regular basis. I retired as a Transportation Services Representative from ODOT’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in August of 2015. Whenever my supervisor completed my annual employee evaluation, he would write at the end... “and he contributes to the environment by riding his bicycle to work”. Since then, I have used most every form of Public Transportation that exists except LIFT (Bus, Street Car, Tram, Max Trains, Zip Car, Taxi, Uber and E-Bike).

My father was a Pastor. I was ordained in 1978 and served as my father’s assistant pastor till he passed away in 1979. After his death, I became the Pastor and served for 8 years (1979–1986). Today, I serve as an associate Pastor with my older brother who is my senior Pastor. I have enjoyed my honored citizen status since I turned 65. July 18, 2024 marks my 71st Birthday.

I am excited to work with my fellow committee members on the CAT and it is my goal to be a productive member and a DEI voice for elderly and persons with disabilities.

I am originally from New York City, grew up in San Diego, California, and moved to Portland, OR in 2015 to be near family. I have worked at various places over the last 25 years in Finance & HR Management positions, and prior to that I was a professional playwright and worked in talent management in the Entertainment industry. I also have previous experience serving on a Board, having been the Treasurer for a non-profit in San Diego that helped injured members of the military.

I am recently disabled and have been a full time TriMet user since January of 2023. I became interested in CAT for a couple of reasons: First, I am becoming newly aware of the challenges faced using TriMet by disabled people and feel that my experiences and perspective could be a benefit toward making things better. The other is that I firmly believe that we all need to make more of an effort to help others and make things better for more than just ourselves. I made a promise to someone many years ago that I would take care of those around me, and doing everything I could to make the world around me better, and I live every day intending to fulfill that promise.

I live in Forest Grove and have been a member of CAT since 2018. In 2020, I was voted in as a Member At Large for the CAT. I also serve as a member of the Special Transportation Fund Advisory Committee (STFAC) and the Transportation Equity Advisory Committee (TEAC at TriMet).

I have been disabled since 2004 and use a mobility scooter when I have to travel any distances. Fixed route bus and MAX has been my primary mode of transportation since 2003 to get where I need to be.

I have a background as a Computer System Engineer and have always enjoyed volunteering to help make others’ lives better. I feel that my involvement on committees can bring valuable insight of process analysis and improvement. I’ve been a volunteer with Elders in Action in the past and believe that sharing information with Elders in Action, CAT or any other committee is the key to better understand how things are now and how they might change to make them better for all. Working with the CAT has been great as it creates a space to get to know people and work together to make life better for everyone who uses the transit system.

My favorite place to go is Farmers’ Markets in Forest Grove, Beaverton and Portland. My favorite places to eat are Buffet Dynasty, Oregon Culinary Institute and Gandhi’s Indian restaurant.

Patricia works as an Accessibility Specialist for Portland Community College and has served as a Governor appointed commissioner of the Oregon Disabilities Commission and the Oregon Commission for the Blind. In addition to serving on CAT, Patricia currently serves on the Metro Committee on Racial Equity and serves as a consultant in the development of Metro departmental ADA transition plans. Patricia uses She/Her pronouns.

I travel with the assistance of a guide dog. My dog can help me navigate around most barriers I encounter. When I need to travel into areas where pedestrian access has not been a priority of the city planners, I rely upon LIFT for travel to and from appointments.

I was introduced to Jan Campbell, CAT President, and many years ago at an advocacy event. Jan’s passion for safe, accessible transportation is infectious, motivating me to apply to be a member of CAT. I love working with the team of advocates. Each member of CAT brings great knowledge and experience to the table and are dedicated to improving transportation access for everyone that visits the Portland metro area.

I love spending time at Waterfront Park. Traditionally there is always something interesting to be found there. I love all of the festivals! My favorite place to eat however, is in Beaverton at the La Hacienda Real.

My name is Sky and I use they, she, and he pronouns. I’m a Blind, Neurodivergent, Genderfluid, Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish millennial who has experiences with mental illness, asthma, and learning disabilities. I’ve lived in Portland since 2015 and love this city for its inspired vegan food, rainy weather, local art scene, and its amazing transit system. That’s why I’m excited to be on the CAT and help guide TriMet to improve and continue making transit accessible to Disabled Portlanders.

I graduated from Portland State University in 2024 with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and a minor in Conflict Resolution. I wrote my honors thesis on the use of Nonviolent Resistance in the American Disability community. The struggle to get accessible public transit was a big part of that story and protests for transit is one of the main reasons we have the ADA. I try to infuse Disability Justice and advocacy into all of my scholarly endeavors and work.

I have an eclectic background of work experience. I spent years answering calls on the National Suicide Prevention Life Line with Lines for Life. I worked for Call to Safety a local agency that advocates for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. I also worked teaching kids how to make movies and stop-motion animation at the NW Film Center (now PAM CUT). I hosted a podcast with another Blind friend called Citizen White Cane where we watched movies with Blind characters and talked about them. I’m also an improviser at Kickstand Comedy where I perform regularly as part of their ensemble. Finally I’m a board member and core trainer for the Portland Peace Team a group that goes to nonviolent protests and events and helps de-escalate situations to ensure actions stay nonviolent. We also train a wide variety of nonprofit, government, and private agencies and businesses in de-escalation techniques.

I am excited to work on making Portland a more accessible city. As a Blind person the transit system is a vital tool for my independence and ability to participate in so many community activities. Increasing the accessibility of the transit system and making it easier for Disabled people to get around is an important mission that I feel lucky to be involved in!

I was born in the Nile valley and came to the United States several years ago as a Fulbright Scholar. After living in the very snowy Midwest, I settled in the Rose City last year. As a blind, Muslim individual, public transportation is my lifeline. It is how I get to work, attend school, go to the mosque, and connect with my communities. My reliance on transit is an experience I share with many. While volunteering as an assistive technology instructor, I heard countless stories of how public transit was the only way for people with disabilities to access work, education, and independence. These combined experiences have given me a deep appreciation for TriMet’s role in our region and a firm belief that we must work to make it even better for everyone.

I have a long-standing commitment to advocacy and disability rights. This commitment led me to serve on the Presidential Commission on Persons with Disability at Northern Illinois University, where I helped improve campus-wide accessibility and the overall experience for students with disabilities. I have also worked with one of the Centers for Independent Living in Illinois to expand career opportunities for people with diverse disabilities. These experiences have strengthened my belief that true accessibility removes barriers not just in transit, but in all areas of life.

My professional work as a mental health counselor at Portland Community College is grounded in accessibility and advocacy. I work with students to navigate complex systems, listen closely to their unique challenges, and empower them to advocate for themselves. I see my role on this committee as a natural extension of that work: to listen to the community and be a strong voice for change. My upcoming graduate studies in counseling at Oregon State University will further equip me with advanced strategies to support this lifelong mission.

As a member of the CAT, my vision is centered on improving the accessibility, reliability, and efficiency of TriMet’s fixed-route services. I am particularly passionate about advocating for the needs of riders with diverse disabilities, especially those who are blind or have low vision. I believe in making improvements that benefit all passengers, such as increasing the clarity of audio announcements. When we design a system that is clear and simple for everyone, we create a more welcoming and effective transit experience for the entire community.

In my free time, I enjoy reading both fiction and non-fiction, exploring Portland's public parks and wonders, playing chess, and meeting new people. You can often find me exploring the paths around the river. I particularly enjoy walking across the Tilikum Crossing (the Bridge of the People), and following the Waterfront Park Trail as it winds through the South Waterfront on the west side and connects to the Eastbank Esplanade on the east.

A Native Oregonian and Japanese American, hails from a family of Marionberry farmers in Gresham. His journey has seen him in various careers, but his unwavering commitment to helping others has remained constant. In 2012, a life-altering event led him to dedicate a significant portion of his life to empowering individuals with disabilities in the community. His mission is to unveil the rich tapestry of the disabled community in Oregon and the city’s beauty. Accompanied by his service dog, Cutie, Franklin traverses the city on TriMet fixed-line buses and TriMet LIFT, a testament to his unwavering dedication. Franklin’s involvement in several non-profit organizations is fueled by his deep passion for making people with disabilities, especially wheelchair users, more visible in public spaces. His belief in the importance of nature and human connections is not just a part of his life; it is his life. Oregon Wheelchair hiking, his favorite activity, is a testament to this. Join him on a stroll and experience the beauty of Oregon together. Franklin’s goal is to unite services to support all disabled individuals in the community. He is inspired by Jan Campbell, CAT President and other advocates in the city, whose dedication to ensuring safe and accessible transportation for everyone motivates him. With his expertise and experience, Franklin is committed to enhancing accessible transit for all residents in the Portland metro area, a vision that promises a more inclusive future.

My name is Claudia Robertson, and I have been a member of CAT since 2001, except for a short mandatory hiatus after the first six years. I grew up in Southeast Portland and Parkrose. For ten years, my family lived outside D.C. in Vienna, Virginia, returning to Portland in 1981.

I served on the Portland/Multnomah Commission on Aging, my first term from about 1994-2000. I was asked to interview for CAT, and I did, knowing very little at the time about transit or transportation. I later went on to serve another six year term on what was then called the Elders in Action Commission.

Since then it has become all transportation, all the time. I serve on the Special Transportation Fund Advisory Committee in addition to CAT, volunteer at Ride Connection, and serve on the Ride Connection Board of Directors.

Over the years I have had the privilege to serve with some wonderful, dedicated people, volunteers and TriMet employees alike. I have been able to advocate for seniors and people with disabilities through CAT activities, and the Citizen Advisory for the Division Transit Project.