21 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

The Washington Post,3/2:
 

Some Metro board members want to refocus search for new system chief

 

Days after Metro’s search for a new general manager took an odd turn, with the three finalists for the job withdrawing from consideration, some members of the transit authority’s board of directors said Monday the setback could be a blessing in disguise.

 

The process of finding a replacement for retired general manager Richard Sarles began in the fall. Since then, problems with the agency’s financial structure have become highly evident, and a fatal smoke incident in a subway tunnel Jan. 12 revealed serious shortcomings in Metro’s emergency readiness and safety culture.

 

Now, with the board forced to start from scratch in seeking a leader, some members said they want to shift the emphasis of the search.   .   .   .

 

SNIP

 

After a Washington television reporter recently learned potentially identifying information about the three, Metro informed the candidates that their names might become public, and each promptly withdrew from consideration, members said.

 

 

 

Read more here.

[CNJRoss]

The Washington Post, posted 3/4:
 

Major rift in Metro’s board disrupted search for new chief executive
 

A major rift within Metro’s leadership has disrupted the transit agency’s search for a new chief executive after board members from the District and Maryland objected that the initial three finalists for the job weren’t the kind of executive needed to fix the organization’s problems, District and Metro officials said.

 

The District government, led by Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D), and a Maryland board member are pressing for a financial turnaround specialist who can address not only safety issues but also what critics see as the agency’s deep fiscal difficulties.

 

The internal battle has aroused concern that the dispute will hurt Metro’s reputation and make it harder to attract good candidates for the top job.

 

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[CNJRoss]

WMATA news release, 3/12:

 

Statement from Chairman Mort Downey on behalf of the WMATA Board of Directors

 

The following statement was issued today by Metro Board Chairman Mort Downey:

 

Metro’s Board of Directors said following its meeting today that the Board is unified in its commitment to enhance public confidence in Metro’s effectiveness, and ability to serve the region and its customers as a high performing public agency.

 

Chairman Downey said the Board will open a broader dialog around what is needed in considering future candidates for the General Manager/CEO position.

 

“We have heard the call to broaden the discussion and will engage our stakeholders more actively in defining the qualities for a new General Manager/CEO who can move Metro forward, as we better serve our customers, our communities, and the region’s businesses,” said Downey.  “Metro is crucial to the region’s economic wellbeing and we are inviting our stakeholders and the public to our April Governance Committee meeting where we will examine how best to restart the search process.”  

 

During the executive search, some have called for a new General Manager/CEO with a transit background; some have suggested a financial management background; others have suggested Metro needs a “turnaround” expert.   The Board indicated that it may be ideal if a new chief executive met all these criteria.

 

With respect to leadership transition, Downey also said the Board is urging the Compact jurisdictions to move forward quickly to fill vacancies on the Metro Board of Directors, and to make and confirm any pending Board appointments.    

 

“We need to have continuity going forward so that the Board can reach unified regional decisions based on candid discussions,  a thorough understanding of the facts before us, and an alignment among our jurisdictions,” Downey said.  “As a regional governing and policy body, it is important that any new members have a seat at the table for the hiring process to select the General Manager/CEO that they will work with in partnership.”

 

Downey also said the Board is directing management to produce a rail fleet plan and analysis that will support regional discussion of how and when new rail cars will be utilized, should the Board fund the purchase of up to 220 additional cars by exercising favorable pricing options that expire this summer.  Such an analysis, he said, will inform decision makers, funders, and customers about the rail car purchase options.

 

 

 

News release issued at 3:14 pm, March 12, 2015.

[CNJRoss]

WTOP radio, 3/25:

 

Maryland, Virginia differ on where to go with new Metro GM

 

WASHINGTON — As Metro looks for the next General Manager to replace Richard Sarles, a small rift has formed between D.C., Maryland and Virginia on what type of person the next leader should be.

 

The disagreement is whether the person should have a strong transit background or have a strong fiscal background.  Leaders in all three jurisdictions says ideally the candidate would have both.  But if that’s not possible, which is more important?

 

D.C. and Maryland want a fiscal wizard.  Virginia wants a strong transit person to fix the problems with the system and make the 10-year Metro Momentum vision become reality.

 

Continue.

 

[CNJRoss]

The Washington Post, 4/6:
 

Maryland, D.C. officials seek Metro management overhaul

 

Metro must improve its management and accountability before local governments have the confidence to invest billions of dollars in expanding the transit system to handle the region’s expected growth, top transportation officials from Maryland and the District said.

 

The two officials described in separate interviews the kind of “turnaround expert” they want Metro to pick as its new chief executive.

 

They say that continuing problems with finances and safety show that Metro is poorly run from top to bottom. A sharp division between the jurisdictions and Metro’s board, which had Virginia’s support, provoked the current crisis over the transit agency’s leadership.

 

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[CNJRoss]

WMATA news release:

 

Metro Board seeks customer input for GM/CEO search

 

As WMATA’s Board of Directors continues its search for a new General Manager/Chief Executive Officer, the Authority is seeking input from its stakeholders -- Metro riders, community advocates, and business leaders, among others -- who depend upon and benefit from public transportation in the region. The Board is interested in hearing from the public about what it views as the priorities for Metro’s leadership going forward and what qualities and skills the next chief executive should bring to the position.

 

At the Board’s Governance Committee Meeting on Thursday, April 9, the public is encouraged to share feedback directly during the Committee meeting, or through an online survey.

• Take the Online Survey - The survey will remain open until noon, Wednesday, April 8. Click to start the survey
• Attend the Governance Committee Meeting - The meeting will take place Thursday, April 9, at 10 a.m. at Metro Headquarters, 600 5th St NW, Washington, DC.
  • Via Metrorail: Gallery Place or Judiciary Square
  • Via Metrobus: 70, 74, 79, 80, D6, P6, X2, X9

Metro Headquarters is wheelchair accessible. For accommodations for people with disabilities, call 202-962-2511. For language assistance, such as an interpreter or information in another language, please call 202-962-2582 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date.

 

NOTE: The information collected through the survey will be maintained anonymously. However, all comments received will become part of the public record, and may be posted on WMATA's website, without change, including any personal information provided.
 

 

News release issued at 12:56 pm, April 6, 2015.

 

 

[CNJRoss]

LATE POST - An interesting column!

 

The Washington Post, 6/5:

 

Column

Metro board shows that even a transit system can experience gridlock

 

By Robert Thomson

 

Enough already, Metro. Pick a new boss.

 

It was fine to pause and reflect on the characteristics of the ideal general manager and to consider what the transit authority needs to fix.

 

But it’s approaching half a year since Richard Sarles retired as general manager.

 

This is no longer a pause. It’s getting to be more like an open-ended moratorium.

 

And it doesn’t inspire confidence.

 

Continue here.

 

Robert Thomson is The Washington Post’s “Dr. Gridlock.” He answers travelers’ questions, listens to their complaints and shares their pain on the roads, trains and buses in the Washington region. View Archive

[CNJRoss]

WMATA news release:

 

Metro Board to resume executive search for GM/CEO

 

Metro today announced the WMATA Board of Directors is resuming the search for a new General Manager and Chief Executive Officer.

 

The renewed search comes after gathering extensive feedback from the public, including Metro riders, community advocates, business leaders and stakeholders. In doing so, the Board has expanded the scope of its executive search to include GM/CEO candidates with financial management experience and those outside government and the transit industry. A final selection is expected this fall. Those interested in applying for the General Manager position should send a cover letter and resume via email to wmata@lochlinpartners.com.

 

“The Board is committed to re-energizing the search for a new chief executive who will provide Metro with effective leadership emphasizing safety as the top priority, exceptional financial management and the first-class service delivery for our customers that the region deserves,” said Metro Board Chairman Mortimer Downey.  

 

Metro’s Board of Directors appointed Jack Requa as Interim General Manager and Chief Executive Officer after the retirement of then General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Richard Sarles in January. Requa was most recently the Assistant General Manager for Bus Services. His leadership as interim General Manager will continue until the search has concluded.

[CNJRoss]

WTOP radio, 7/16:
 

Metro could have new general manager candidate by year’s end

 

WASHINGTON — Metro should have a candidate for a new general manager by the end of the year, Virginia Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne said Wednesday.

 

Layne spoke a day after U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe met behind closed doors to discuss the beleaguered transit system.

 

An agreement was reached during the meeting to finally have a candidate in place, said Layne, who was in the private session. Overall, he says, the meeting focused on what needs to be done to bring Metro up to par.

 

 

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[CNJRoss]

The Washington Post, posted 7/21:
 

Members of Congress grill Metro leaders over management, safety flaws

 

Top Metro officials faced aggressive questioning Tuesday as members of two House subcommittees chastised the beleaguered transit authority for its numerous operational, infrastructure and financial management problems.

 

The agency has been under intense scrutiny since the Jan. 12 smoke incident in a subway tunnel, which killed one Yellow Line passenger and sickened scores of others.

 

“We are facing a perfect storm of problems,” Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.) said, referring to the “aging Metro system, a panoply of maintenance issues that impact rider safety and confidence, weak financial management over internal controls and lack of a dedicated source of funding.”

 

 

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