Metro News Release
For immediate release: January 8, 2015
Metro Board appoints Requa as Interim General Manager/CEO, Green-Ellison as Board Corporate Secretary
Requa to serve as Interim GM/CEO until permanent GM/CEO is appointed
At a special meeting of its Board of Directors today, WMATA appointed Jack Requa as Interim General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, and commended the service of General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Richard Sarles, who is retiring on January 16. Requa, who joined Metro in April 1998, is currently the Assistant General Manager for Bus Services.
“We are confident that Mr. Requa will effectively partner with the Board to advance our safety programs including Fatigue Management, move forward on FY16 budget and capital funding discussions, and advance Metro’s Customer Care initiative, as well as ensure that we stay on track to strengthen our compliance efforts,” said Board Chairman Tom Downs. “We deeply appreciate Jack’s leadership at this important time for the Authority.”
Downs said that the executive search to identify qualified transportation professionals for the GM/CEO position is well underway, and the Board expects to make a final selection early this year.
The Board also commended the extraordinary service of Richard Sarles to Metro since 2010. The resolution recognized that under Mr. Sarles’ leadership, WMATA rebuilt its safety culture, reducing employee injuries for four consecutive years; advanced Metro Forward capital investments that improved safety, reliability, and increased escalator availability to a five-year high; opened the Silver Line, and greatly improved Metro’s communication with its customers. The Board also credited Sarles for his work to develop Momentum, the Authority’s strategic plan.
At its special meeting today, the Board also appointed a new Board Corporate Secretary, who will join Metro’s executive leadership team. Jennifer Green-Ellison will serve as the liaison between the Board of Directors, the Authority, its advisory bodies and the public. She has served as the Acting Board Secretary since October 2014 and previously was the Director of Strategic Communications in Metro’s Office of the Chief of Staff. Prior to her work at Metro, Green-Ellison was the Community Relations Manager for the Charlotte Area Transit System.
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News release issued at 4:39 pm, January 8, 2015.