information from the City of Seattle
Mayor Bruce Harrell announced today that as part of the City of Seattle’s national search for a permanent director for the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), he has named a robust committee of transportation leaders and community partners to shape the effort. Interim Director of SDOT Kristen Simpson will continue to serve in the role through the selection process.
“Seattle deserves a transportation system that is safe, reliable, and equitable, and our SDOT Director is instrumental in implementing that vision. We have an opportunity to appoint a champion for innovative thinking and back-to-basics fixes, a collaborator who builds bridges – and repairs them. I’m thrilled by the quality of candidate this position will attract from around our community and the country. I encourage everyone interested, qualified, and ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work to apply,” said Mayor Harrell. “I want to thank Interim Director Simpson for her strong service to keep critical projects and priorities on track during this transition period and I know she’s excited to help the new director hit the ground running.”
Mayor Harrell’s search process will include a search committee of local transportation experts including former and current SDOT employees, government partners, advocates, and economic development and community leaders. Committee members were selected for their technical expertise and vision, lived experiences with the transportation system, and ability to leverage networks to market the position, collect feedback, and provide information to support the process and selection.
“This Search Committee is going to play an integral role in our hiring process, both identifying and evaluating candidates. These extremely qualified local experts understand the transportation challenges facing our City and region and the opportunities we share to build something better,” said Mayor Harrell. “Their service in this role will put us on the path towards a more equitable, sustainable, and livable Seattle.”
SDOT Director Search Committee members include:
- Genesee Adkins, former SDOT Chief of Staff
- Cassie Chinn, Wing Luke Museum
- Dr. Anne Goodchild, UW Urban Freight Lab
- Amy Grotefendt, Transportation Lead, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
- Matt Howard, Seattle Department of Transportation
- Alex Hudson, Transportation Choices Coalition
- Rob Johnson, NHL Seattle Kraken, former Councilmember
- Steve Kovac, IBEW Local 77
- Lee Lambert, Cascade Bike Club
- Geri Poor, Port of Seattle
- Rizwan Rizwi, Muslim Housing Services
- Monisha Singh, Chinatown International District Business Improvement Assoc.
- Yordanos Teferi, SDOT’s Transportation Equity Workgroup
- Terry White, King County Metro
- Yu-Ann Youn, SDOT’s Transportation Equity Workgroup, UW student
The position will open for applicants on April 12, 2022. The search committee will meet for the first time this month and begin considering candidates in May before a final selection is made this summer.
