Move LA applauds the choice of Phil Washington as new CEO for LA Metro. Washington comes to LA from Denver, where he was the general manager of Denver's Regional Transportation District. Denver is the only other region in the United Station that has, like Los Angeles County, embarked on an ambitious transit expansion — also funded by a local sales tax and involving a multi-project build-out. "His success in Denver should give us confidence that together we will be successful here," says Move LA Executive Director Denny Zane.
The Metro board approved Washington in an 11 to 0 vote, with two members absent. He told a press conference outside Metro headquarters that: "We can further transform this county and this region through transportation infrastructure investment, and that is what I look forward to doing. I am really happy to be here, and honored that you are bestowing this great responsibility on me."