Sound Transit CEO Selection

The Seattle Times recently reported that the Board selected 5 candidates for consideration from 60 applicants. After Julie Timm left, Goran Sparrman stepped in as Interim CEO, but he plans to retire on May 15th. A year ago, Sound Transit hired Terri Mestas to lead its construction projects. What would be expected from the next CEO?

Now that Sound Transit is both building new lines and operating a sizeable rail and bus network, it needs to focus a lot more on operational aspects such as maintenance, security, reliability, and communicating effectively with the public when there are problems. Recently there have been several occasions where riders felt left out.

Due to the pandemic, some of the assumptions which led to the ST3 plans may need to be adjusted. Now that a new rhythm with some work-from-home has been established, new traffic patterns have emerged. While a lot of jobs used to be concentrated downtown, activities have spread across Seattle and even to the Eastside. New technology such as automated trains, electric buses, people movers, and urban gondola lifts are becoming mainstream. While the ST3 measure provides a solid income stream, construction costs have escalated, Sound Transit's ability to raise funds is limited by its debt ceiling, and the new federal government has indicated that it may limit spending for transit projects. Sound Transit may need to rethink how to serve our region best and not just blindly execute the ideas it put in front of voters a decade ago. I feel that it will be important to find a very experienced transit expert who has led another transit organization with similar challenges.

Sound Transit did not disclose the applicants though it mentioned that Dow Constantine is one of them. While as a King County Executive he is in charge of King County Metro and has been Sound Transit Board president, he has not been directly responsible for Sound Transit's operations. Seattle Subway also reminded the Sound Transit Executive Board about their concern, which we share, that Dow's election may constitute a conflict of interest as he had assigned all the King County board members who now select the CEO.

While some applicants may not want to disclose that they applied for the Sound Transit position, we would hope the Board would find a way to engage the public in the discussion about what their priorities are and who gets considered for this pivotal role.