Timm Recommended for Sound Transit Leadership
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Julie Timm, current CEO of Greater Richmond (Va.) Transit Company, has been recommended to serve as CEO of Sound Transit.
The Sound Transit Board on June 23 will consider Julie Timm for CEO, succeeding Peter Rogoff.
Timm, current CEO of Greater Richmond (Va.) Transit Company, has been recommended to lead Sound Transit in the state of Washington by the Board of Directors CEO Selection Committee, which reviewed more than 90 applicants from across the country.
The Committee was headed by Sound Transit Board Chair and University Place Mayor Kent Keel and Sound Transit Board Vice Chairs Dow Constantine, a King County executive, and Dave Somers, a Snohomish County executive. Other Board Members serving on the Committee included Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus; Bruce Dammeier, a Pierce County executive; Seattle Council Member Debora Juarez; and Renton Council Member Ed Prince.
The Committee’s June 2 recommendation “directed Keel, Constantine and Somers to lead work with Timm to negotiate proposed contract provisions for consideration by the Board on June 23,” Sound Transit reported.
At Greater Richmond Transit Company, Timm oversees the operation of regional bus routes and more than 400 employees. She is known as “a highly collaborative leader who forges strong relationships with community groups and partners, and for building an agency culture focused on dedication to public service and equity,” according to Sound Transit.
Timm has also served as Chief Development Officer for WeGo Public Transit in Nashville, Tenn. (2016-19); as Transit Development Officer and Title VI and Environmental Justice Compliance Officer for Hampton Roads Transit in Norfolk, Va. (2012-16); and in senior positions developing transit, highway and other projects for Moffatt and Nichol, Carter and Burgess, and URS Corporation (2000-12).
“Julie Timm’s deep experience, leadership skills and passion for public transportation will make her a great leader for Sound Transit as we work to deliver the largest transit expansion program in the nation and dramatically expand our operations in the years ahead,” Keel said.
“I am thrilled and humbled to be considered for the opportunity to support the Sound Transit Board and staff in delivering investments that are truly transformative and historic in their scale and impact,” Timm said.
The Board started searching for a new chief executive after voting Sept. 23, 2021 not to approve a full one-year contract extension for Peter Rogoff, who told members he did not foresee remaining as CEO beyond the end of 2022. He took on the top job in early 2016, working with the Board and communities across the Seattle and Central Puget Sound region to help shape and earn voter approval for the Sound Transit 3 Plan, while heading efforts to advance major light rail expansions to the east, north and south.
“Peter not only helped design the largest transit expansion program in America but convert the agency to one that can deliver on its very ambitious plans,” Kent said last fall. “At the same time he sharpened the agency’s focus on sustainability and improving riders’ daily experiences while advancing equitable access to transit and affordable housing.
“Peter’s legacy at Sound Transit includes applying his deep federal experience to help secure critical funding for our region. He has worked closely with our congressional delegation as well as the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations to obtain unprecedented levels of federal grant and loan support. He has also ushered in reforms to bring about a more collaborative, disciplined and informed annual budget process, all to the great benefit of Puget Sound taxpayers.”
The work has not been without challenges. In response to a $6.5 billion affordability gap, the Sound Transit Board in August 2021 adopted a realignment plan that guides delivery dates for voter-approved transit projects not already under construction.
The move followed 17 months of discussions and engagement with jurisdictions and stakeholders. Sound Transit said at the time that the steep rise in real estate and construction costs plus advancing environmental review and project designs had driven up expansion costs, contributing to the affordability gap for completing projects on earlier schedules.
