The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and Sound Transit have made new appointments to their respective leadership teams.
CCTA brings on Ryan McClain
CCTA has appointed Ryan McClain as deputy executive director of projects and operations.
McClain, a longtime Contra Costa, Calif., resident, brings over 20 years of experience in transportation engineering and project management to his new role overseeing CCTA’s capital projects and operational initiatives. Most recently, he served as the transportation manager for the city of Pleasant Hill Calif., where he led major capital improvement projects such as the Contra Costa Boulevard Complete Streets initiative and oversaw the development of the city’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan.
Prior to his work in city government, McClain spent 16 years at Fehr & Peers in Walnut Creek, where he founded the firm’s complete streets design practice and served as office leader for six years. His experience spans the entire project lifecycle, from planning and design to construction and operations, which CCTA says makes him well-equipped to oversee its high-profile infrastructure projects, including freeway and arterial improvements, multimodal corridor upgrades and roadway safety enhancements.
“I’ve spent my career working on transportation solutions to make communities safer and more accessible,” McClain said. “Joining CCTA gives me the opportunity to work with an incredible team and take our work to the next level for our county. It’s our mission to make sure our infrastructure projects improve regional mobility and sustainability for everyone who lives, works or travels in Contra Costa County.”
“Ryan’s expertise in project development and multimodal infrastructure brings valuable leadership to CCTA,” said CCTA Executive Director Tim Haile. “His regional knowledge and hands-on experience delivering complex transportation projects will help us execute transformative initiatives that enhance safety, sustainability and accessibility for Contra Costa residents.”
McClain’s appointment will support key regional mobility projects, including the INNOVATE 680 corridor improvements, autonomous vehicle testing at GoMentum Station and enhanced multimodal infrastructure programs.
Sound Transit selects new CEO
The Sound Transit Board of Directors approved the choice of King County Executive Dow Constantine to serve as the agency’s next CEO. Constantine’s start date as CEO will be April 1.
“For every large organization, time is money, and we don’t have time or money to waste delivering on the promise of a truly regional mass transit system,” said Snohomish County Executive and Sound Transit Board Chair Dave Somers. “Dow can hit the ground running and intimately knows the inner workings of Sound Transit. He has proven his ability to oversee large organizations, run a major transit agency and maintain crucial partnerships locally, regionally and nationally that will be necessary to complete the central spine. Our economy and environment will benefit from the success of Dow and Sound Transit.”
Sound Transit notes the board’s action followed the recommendation of the board’s executive committee, which solicited input on priorities and reviewed 60 applicants from around the world, 15 of whom were interviewed. The final selection process included candidate interviews with multiple panels representing a wide range of regional interests.
“It is an honor to be chosen as the next CEO of Sound Transit,” Constantine said. “Much of my service as an elected official has been devoted to building the world-class transit system our region has long needed and creating vibrant, transit-connected communities throughout Central Puget Sound. I can think of nothing I would rather do than lead this agency into the future, and I thank the board for their vote of confidence.”
Constantine was elected King County Executive in 2009 and is serving a record fourth term as leader of one of the U.S.’s largest and most dynamic metropolitan regions. A former member of the King County Council and the Washington State Senate and House of Representatives, Dow is a three-time University of Washington alumnus, holding postgraduate degrees in law and urban planning.
With his commitment to making Martin Luther King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive, Sound Transit says Dow has led the region’s work to deliver world-class transit, restore its natural environment, combat climate impacts and build health, safety and opportunity for all people. Sound Transit says his administration's initiatives are informed by the principles of continuous improvement and guided by the goal of becoming the most forward-looking, best-run government in the U.S.
Constantine has extensive experience leading large transit agencies, namely King County Metro, one of the largest agencies in the U.S., and an agency voted in 2018 as the Best Large Transit Agency in North America by the American Public Transportation Association. In the wake of COVID-19, recession, inflation and workforce shortages that were holding back transit service, Constantine led King County Metro back to an era of growth, efficiency, strong ridership recovery and a full workforce.
“I have dedicated a great deal of my professional life to expanding light rail specifically and transit generally in our region,” said Sound Transit Board Vice Chair and King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci. “In selecting the next CEO for Sound Transit, as with all the decisions I am called on to make regarding transit, I put the mission of providing great transit at the very forefront. We must get this system built. We must build it as quickly as possible, and we must put the needs of riders first at all times. I support the appointment of Dow Constantine as our next CEO because I believe he is the candidate most capable to lead the agency in the right direction to meet our goals, today and into the future. Knowing that all of us in agency leadership will be called upon to live up to community expectations, to be transparent and communicative about our progress and our problems and to provide results, I remain as committed as ever to these goals, and I look forward to working with Dow to achieve them.”
As member of the Sound Transit Board since 2006, Constantine has been intimately involved in the successes and challenges of the agency during an unprecedented period of growth. He led the 2014-2015 process to conceive of, draft and present Sound Transit 3 (ST3) to voters, one of the largest transit capital expansion projects in North American history.
“We welcome Dow as the next CEO and appreciate his commitment to delivering critical transit projects for the entire region,” said Pierce County Executive and Sound Transit Board Vice Chair Ryan Mello. “Dow has adeptly managed large, complex government organizations, including a major transit agency. His experience is what we need to deliver ST3 and safe, reliable transit. The board will work closely with Dow to establish key metrics to ensure Sound Transit is the best run, most efficient transit agency in the country.”
Under the terms of the proposed contract, Constantine’s initial term will run through Dec. 31, 2026, with two successive one-year renewals available at the board’s discretion through Dec. 31, 2028.
Interim CEO Goran Sparrman will continue to serve as the acting CEO or as an advisor, as requested by Constantine, until May 2, 2025.
Brandon Lewis | Associate Editor
Brandon Lewis is a recent graduate of Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Lewis is a former freelance editorial assistant at Vehicle Service Pros in Endeavor Business Media’s Vehicle Repair Group. Lewis brings his knowledge of web managing, copyediting and SEO practices to Mass Transit Magazine as an associate editor. He is also a co-host of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast.
