Kooistra named GM of Metro Transit; Vadis to become first female regional administrator of Met Council

The Metropolitan Council, the regional policy-making body, planning agency and provider of essential services for the Twin Cities metropolitan region, will undergo major leadership changes.  

Chair Nora Slawik will seek confirmation from the Met Council to name Meredith Vadis as regional administrator and Wes Kooistra as Metro Transit general manager. Slawik noted the changes are focused on tackling the challenges facing regional transit, housing, equity and the continued investments in the region’s planning and infrastructure that contribute to its economic vitality and competitiveness. 

Vadis, who will be the first female regional administrator in the agency's history, has served as deputy regional administrator since 2015; prior to that she was the communications director for four years. As regional administrator, Vadis will be responsible for overseeing operations of all areas of the Met Council’s work, from planning, housing and parks, to wastewater infrastructure and transit.

“The Metropolitan Council is critical to our region’s economic competitiveness and community prosperity,” said Chair Slawik. “We have enormous challenges ahead, and I know Meredith will help us tackle those challenges. In my term as Council Chair, partnerships with business will help us ensure our region is strategically planning for the future and is a place people want to live, work, and raise their families. That future depends on everyone having a seat at the table, so that all are equitably sharing in the region’s prosperity.

“In the coming years, I want to bring Southwest LRT to completion, secure stable transit funding, convene a conversation about the critical need for housing, and advance technology, sustainability and innovation in our wastewater and transit operations."

Kooistra will succeed Brian Lamb at Metro Transit. The Met Council made note that Lamb was not re-appointed to the position of general manager, which he has held since 2004. During Lamb's tenure, Metro Transit was named System of the Year by the American Public Transportation Association in 2016, ridership hit its highest levels in a generation, and the agency opened several new transit lines, including the Green Line LRT and the A Line rapid bus line. 

“Brian has been committed to the Council’s goal of improving mobility in our region for decades,” said Chair Slawik. “I want to thank him for his years of service and work to build a talented and dedicated staff. Our region will benefit from his leadership for decades to come.” 

Kooistra has served as the Met Council’s regional administrator since 2015; prior to that he was the deputy regional administrator and chief financial officer. Kooistra has served in executive leadership roles at public agencies for more than 20 years, most notably with the Met Council and the Minnesota Department of Human Services. His leadership spans policy, finance and budget, operations, government relations and communications. The Met Council says his deep background in executive leadership, finance and cross-cutting policy solutions will help him address some of Metro Transit's most vexing challenges.

“Wes has helped our region build and plan a top-notch transit system, but now his focus and ability to advance that work will be amplified,” said Chair Slawik. “I’m confident he can lead Metro Transit into the future, as we look to bring financial stability to the bus system and embrace sustainable options for our future operations. He understands the importance of collaboration, listening and relationship-building – especially with employees and communities – and I know he’ll prioritize the work of One Minnesota to bring more people to the table and ensure everyone has a voice.

She continued, “For more than 50 years, the Council has convened partners to accomplish ambitious goals, unrealistic for a single community, but possible as a region. The Council has a huge role to play in bridging the divides between communities, and I know together, we can move us in that direction."