King County Executive Dow Constantine on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 announced the appointment of three new members to the Sound Transit Board of Directors:
- King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay
- Redmond Mayor Angela Birney
- Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss
These appointments are four-year terms and will be forwarded to the King County Council for confirmation.
“Today I am pleased to appoint three strong leaders to the Sound Transit Board of Directors. Each has years of experience representing diverse King County communities,” said King County Executive and Sound Transit Board Chair Dow Constantine. “As we work to deliver one of the most ambitious and complex transit expansion projects in the nation, I am confident that Councilmember Zahilay, Mayor Birney, and Councilmember Strauss will bring the passion and expertise required to build and maintain the mass transit system this region deserves.”
The newly appointed Board Members will be filling a set of recently vacated seats:
- King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay will represent the North King County subarea, filling the seat of former King County Councilmember Joe McDermott.
- Redmond Mayor Angela Birney will represent the East King County subarea, filling the seat of former Kenmore Mayor and Councilmember Dave Baker.
- Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss will also represent North King County, filling the seat of former Seattle City Councilmember Debra Juarez.
The Sound Transit Board includes 17 local elected officials – 10 from King County, four from Pierce County, and three from Snohomish County, and members are appointed by their respective County Executives. Washington Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar also serves on the board.
