University Place Mayor Kent Keel appointed chair of Sound Transit Board

The Sound Transit Board today unanimously appointed University Place Mayor Kent Keel as chair of the Sound Transit Board of Directors and King County Executive Dow Constantine to serve as a vice chair. 

"I look forward to working with my colleagues across the region to guide infrastructure investments that will keep our commuters moving and create economic growth and opportunity," Keel said. "We must continue working together regionally to cost-effectively expand options for people to escape congestion. One of my priorities as Chair will be to work with my Board colleagues and Olympia legislators to identify transportation funding solutions that residents throughout our region can support."

The appointments begin Jan. 1. They follow the retirement of outgoing Chair John Marchione from his position as Redmond mayor. Board members praised Marchione for his leadership over the past year and throughout his nearly 12 years on the Board, which included steering the Downtown Redmond Link light rail extension to its recent groundbreaking.

"On behalf of everyone at Sound Transit I want to thank Mayor Marchione for the indelible mark he made on our regional transit system. Moving forward, commuters throughout our growing communities will benefit as Kent Keel steps forward to lead the Board," said Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff. "Chair Keel's leadership will come at a critical time for the region, and particularly for Pierce County as we construct Tacoma Link's extension to the Hilltop neighborhood, prepare to connect regional light rail to Tacoma and work to expand Sounder service."

Keel will serve the remaining year of the Board chair term left by Marchione's departure. Constantine was appointed to fill the vice chair seat vacated by Keel, while the Board's other vice chair role will continue to be filled by Everett City Councilmember Paul Roberts.