Steve Burns
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON (WMAL) — Metro still needs a new leader.
Metro is resuming their search for a new General Manager, announcing they are expanding “the scope of its executive search to include GM/CEO candidates with financial management experience and those outside government and the transit industry.”
They say a final selection is expected this fall.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” said Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe when he was informed of the expanded scope. “You’re telling me they can’t even figure out what type of leader we need in there? And now a year later we’re changing the parameters again?”
The Governor has been one of the more vocal critics of Metro’s protracted search for a GM that started when Richard Sarles stepped down in January. Jack Requa has been serving on an interim basis since then.
“WMATA has to get their act together. We need a dynamic leader. I am tired of waiting,” McAuliffe told a room full of elected officials from Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. “We’ve all seen the reports from the NTSB. Everyone in this room should be concerned about that. Safety should be a top concern.”
McAuliffe seems to disagree on what kind of background a GM candidate should have.
“I want someone who understands safety, who understands rail systems. You can always get folks in who can deal with the financial systems.”
Metro says they’re renewing their search after input from Metro riders, community advocates, business leaders and other stakeholders.
“Are you telling me that we can’t find qualified people here? What’s the issue here?” McAuliffe asked. “We need leadership in there, and we needed it yesterday.”
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