Stephanie Wiggins has been named the CEO of Metrolink. Wiggins comes from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) where she served as deputy chief executive officer and replaces Art Leahy, who announced his retirement in October.
Wiggins brings 24 years of transportation management experience and will lead Metrolink’s 261 employees as they embark on a $10 billion plan to improve rail safety and service in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games known as the Southern California Optimized Rail Expansion (SCORE) Program.
“Stephanie has held high-level positions at three of the five-member agencies that comprise Metrolink. She is well known as a leader who finds solutions from a regional perspective. Stephanie is the right person to lead Metrolink now and going forward,” said Metrolink Board Chair Andrew Kotyuk. “Stephanie’s extensive experience in transportation and infrastructure development will be essential as Metrolink brings its service to more people in the coming years.”
Wiggins was responsible for overseeing L.A. Metro’s departments of Vendor/Contract Management, Congestion Reduction, Human Capital & Development, Management and Audit Services and Systems Security & Law Enforcement. Additionally, she oversaw L.A. Metro ExpressLanes, commuter rail, rideshare, rail capital programs, served as regional programs director for the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), and was administrative analyst for the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA). L.A. Metro, RCTC and SBCTA are three of the five county transportation agencies that govern Metrolink.
“I am pleased to accept the unique challenge of leading Metrolink at this important time,” Wiggins said. “Metrolink is a nationally-recognized leader in safety with the installation of Positive Train Control and I will continue the commitment to safety. As a mobility provider that reduces congestion and air pollution in the Southern California region, I look forward to having a laser focus on enhancing the customer experience for current and future riders.”
Interim co-CEOs Don Del Rio and Ronnie Campbell will remain as general counsel and chief financial officer respectively.
Regarding Wiggins’ appointment, L.A. Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington said, “She has been a tremendous asset to Metro and will be a fantastic CEO. I often say that I want Metro to be the farm team when it comes to producing the next generation of leaders in the transportation industry. On behalf of the Metro family, we wish Stephanie the best of everything going forward and we look forward to continuing to work with her and the Metrolink team to deliver great mobility options for our region.”
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
