Scott Smith
The Regional Public Transportation Authority (RPTA) and Boards of Directors of Valley Metro, the public transit operator for the Phoenix area, have announced that Scott Smith, Valley Metro’s Interim CEO since February 1, 2016, has been chosen as the agency’s new CEO for a period of two years.
“Scott Smith has been extremely responsive to the Boards, implementing critical changes and refocusing Valley Metro with a refreshing level of professionalism, accountability and integrity,” remarked Thelda Williams, Valley Metro RPTA board chair and Phoenix councilmember. “During his time here, we have experienced the value of his combined public and private sector leadership experiences and determined they are a perfect fit for this vital public agency and its future.”
“Scott has done a remarkable job leading Valley Metro over the past nine months during a very challenging period for the organization,” said Valley Metro Rail Board Chair and Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell. “We are grateful he has accepted our offer to continue leading the agency.”
As CEO, Scott will continue to guide the region’s transit system, which is responsible for light rail, regional bus, Dial-a-Ride and vanpool. The system has nearly $2 billion in assets and an approximate $500 million annual budget.
Smith has been a private sector CEO, attorney and certified public accountant. While serving as Mayor of Mesa from 2008 to 2014, he reduced government spending, balanced the budget and slimmed the workforce by 10 percent. Recently, Smith served as a resident fellow in the Institute of Politics at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
“I’m honored and excited to lead Valley Metro into the future,” Smith stated. “I am passionate about transit because of its power to connect people to their lives and create economic opportunity. I have enjoyed meeting the demands of our Boards and working with a talented Valley Metro staff over the past several months, and look forward to meeting the daily challenges planning, building and operating a world-class transit system.”