Tukwila Mayor Thomas McLeod has been nominated to serve on the Sound Transit Board of Directors as part of a new slate of appointments announced by King County Executive Girmay Zahilay.
The nominations, which also include south King County Councilmember Steffanie Fain (a Normandy Park resident), will be considered by the King County Council on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Fain, the councilmember representing District 5, and McLeod, mayor of Tukwila, were tapped as part of the county’s effort to maintain strong representation for south King County as Sound Transit enters a major expansion phase.
McLeod, in a statement, said the nomination reflects more than building a transportation network. He described it as a chance to build “vibrant, equitable, and thriving communities throughout our region.” He added that he looks forward to working with board members, staff and the community to strengthen the regional transit system.
Fain said she is honored to join the board and grateful to Zahilay for “the opportunity to represent South King County as we shape the future of transit.” As chair of the Council’s Transit, Economy, and Environment Committee and the Regional Transit Committee, she said she will prioritize safety, fiscal sustainability and the needs of transit-dependent communities in South King County.
The Sound Transit Board nomination list also includes Zahilay himself, Seattle Mayor-elect Katie Wilson and regional leaders from East King County and the Redmond area.
Zahilay said in a news release that the region is entering a monumental phase, with the Federal Way Link extension opening this Saturday, Dec. 6, the Eastside Link nearing completion in 2026, and further extensions entering critical planning stages.
The Board of Directors comprises 18 members; the executive appoints 10 seats, with terms staggered over two-year intervals.
