The Capital Metro board is set to select the agency’s new chief executive officer/president this week, possibly today (Thursday). Here are snapshots of the two finalists.
Linda S. Watson
Current Position: CEO, Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (2004-present)
Previous Experience:
• Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (1996-2004): general manager
• Fort Worth Transportation Authority (1982-1996): assistant general manager, manager of development, deputy manager of administration, administrative assistant for the general manager
Pros:
Experience as top dog, continuously, since 1996.
Serious demeanor.
Cons:
Has she been a transit insider for too long?
Maybe too reserved – is she ready for Austin’s combative public culture?
Deborah Wathen Finn
Current Position: president, the Wathen Group LLC (2009–present)
Previous Experience:
• CH2M Hill (2005-2009): senior vice president and global director for transit and rail
• HNTB Corporation (2001-2005): vice president and officer in charge
• Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (1998-2001): director of surface transportation
• NJ Transit (1990-1998): chief of staff for rail operations, superintendent of the Raritan Valley Line
• The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (1982-1990): manager of environmental scanning, chief administrative officer
• New Jersey Department of Transportation (1979-1981): executive assistant to the commissioner
Pros:
Experience with rail, a major initiative for Cap Metro right now.
Personality is very energetic and engaging.
Cons:
Never been the head honcho of a transit agency, although she was very near the top.
Personality might strike some as all show.
This article appears in June 18 • 2010.