Transit District Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

The San Mateo County Transit District announced today the hiring of Ilia (Eli) Kay as chief financial officer.

Kay has 20 years of financial management and accounting experience. Most recently, he served as chief financial officer for Chicago Skyway and Indiana Toll Road Concessions, LLC, where he managed all finance and accounting activities for two private sector entities engaged in public private partnership to operate transportation facilities.

In addition to his experience in Chicago, Kay has held the positions of senior director internal audit and controller for large companies with global operations over the course of his career. Kay received his Executive MBA from the University of Oregon and is a Certified Public Accountant. 

Oversight of incoming revenues, accounts payable, payroll, contracts and procurement, and operating and capital budgets are among the CFO’s many responsibilities. 

The CFO is a new position created through the CEO’s recently announced agency-wide reorganization.  “The District continues to face pressing financial concerns due to SamTrans ongoing structural deficit and the lack of dedicated funding for Caltrain,” said Jim Harnett, general manager and CEO, San Mateo County Transit District. “The creation of this position brings additional focus to addressing these long-term challenges.”

The new CFO will also play an important role in providing financial support for the Caltrain Modernization Program. The $1.7 billion program includes electrification of the tracks between San Francisco and San Jose, the installation of an advanced signal system and the manufacturing of new electric multiple units to replace the current diesel-based equipment. It is the largest modernization project in the systems 150 year history.

Kay will be joined in California by his wife, Oksana and their two sons. They plan to live in San Mateo County.