Valley Metro named Ken Kessler to become its next chief financial officer where he will be responsible for leading, managing and directing agency-wide fiscal functions, as well as strategic financial planning and procurement for both of Valley Metro’s legal entities: The Regional Public Transportation Authority (RPTA) and Valley Metro Rail, Inc. (VMR).
Kessler’s experience in finance includes more than 26 years with the city of Phoenix, spending a majority of that time at the Phoenix Public Transit Department. He has served in several progressively responsible roles, including deputy director, assistant director and acting public transit director.
He developed the financial plan for Transportation 2050 (T2050) that funds transit and transportation projects across the city of Phoenix and was approved by Phoenix voters in 2015. He has also played a key role in developing funding solutions for projects within the regional transit system.
“It is my great pleasure to welcome aboard Ken Kessler to Valley Metro,” said Jessica Mefford-Miller, Valley Metro CEO. “After an exhaustive nationwide search, we found our successful candidate right here in Phoenix. Ken impressed our boards, our cities’ financial staff and the Valley Metro team with his years of dedicated public service, as well as his ability to innovate and be an excellent regional collaborator.”
Kessler has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy and a Master of Public Administration degree, both from Arizona State University.
