Metrolink names Leahy as CEO

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson, left, chair of the Metrolink Board of Directors, and Art Leahy, newly named CEO of Metrolink.
Metrolink

The Metrolink Board of Directors unanimously appointed Art Leahy to chief executive officer, effective April 20.

 

“When the position became available at Metrolink, I was immediately intrigued,” Leahy said. “Having had the opportunity to work at both Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) and Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), I have witnessed first-hand the incredible diligence of the Metrolink staff and I’m excited to have the opportunity to further grow and enhance Southern California’s six-county rail system.”

“As a board, we could not be more excited about Art deciding to take the helm of Metrolink,” said Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson, chair of the Metrolink Board of Directors. “Given Art’s leadership at Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, along with his previous stewardship of OCTA, he brings a unique perspective of leadership at the highest levels of transportation that will be of tremendous value to Metrolink.”

One of the nation’s leading transit officials, Leahy served as chief executive officer of LACMTA for six years. During that time, he guided implementation of one of the largest public works programs in United States history, securing billions in federal and state dollars to help finance construction of dozens of transit and highway projects.

He led the completion of numerous projects funded by Los Angeles County’s Measure R. LACMTA has transit and highway projects valued at more than $14 billion, eclipsing that of any other transportation agency in the nation.

This includes five new rail projects under construction, including phase 2 of the Expo Line extension to Santa Monica and the Gold Line Foothill Extension to Azusa, as well as the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project, the Regional Connector in downtown Los Angeles and the first phase of the Westside Purple Line subway extension to Wilshire and La Cienega.

Leahy also launched a $1.2-billion overhaul of the Blue Line and guided the purchase of a new fleet of rail cars. He helped transform the iconic Union Station into the hub of the region’s expanding bus and rail transit network and led the agency’s acquisition of the 75-year-old iconic facility.

Prior to his tenure as LACMTA CEO, Leahy led OCTA (2001-2009) and served as the general manager of Metro Transit (1997-2001) in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

 

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