ARIZONA NEWS

Valley Metro CEO Scott Smith to remain in position until 2020

Dec 10, 2017, 8:55 PM

(Facebook photo)...

(Facebook photo)

(Facebook photo)

PHOENIX — The CEO of Valley Metro will continue in his position for another two years, it was announced last week.

Scott Smith will remain in his role as Valley Metro CEO until November 2020 after the Valley Metro RPTA and Valley Metro Rail Boards unanimously approved the extension, the department announced.

In a statement, Vice Chair Thelda Williams praised Smith’s “open, honest and collaborative management style and said it has “demonstrated the ability to manage every aspect of the organization.”

“Under his leadership, Valley Metro has restored fiscal responsibility, increased customer service satisfaction, addressed issues related to safety and security and increased regional understanding of the importance of transit,” Williams said.

“He offers the leadership this organization needs and we are happy he will continue to lead us into the future.”

Smith, who served as Mesa mayor from 2008 to 2014, was first brought on as an interim CEO after the previous chief executive, Stephen Banta, resigned under a cloud of suspicion in November 2015.

Banta left after published reports questioned of thousands of dollars in expenses he turned in that were paid with public money. The organization reached a civil settlement with Banta.

The Valley Metro transit system has an annual budget of nearly $500 million.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Peoria Police department...

Roxanne De La Rosa

Peoria police search for vandals who caused $30-40K worth of park damage

The Peoria Police Department is asking the public for help in finding the suspect responsible for vandalizing and causing tens of thousands of dollars of damage to a local park.

7 hours ago

Phoenix-Pittsburgh nonstop flight offered through Allegiant...

Serena O'Sullivan

Fly high: Phoenix travelers getting new nonstop flight option for Pittsburgh through Allegiant

Planning a business trip? You can now book a Phoenix-Pittsburgh nonstop flight through Allegiant at Sky Harbor International Airport.

8 hours ago

fentanyl pills, fentanyl bust Phoenix...

Roxanne De La Rosa

Phoenix man charged after police seized 100,000 fentanyl pills

A man in Phoenix was pulled over by police during a routine traffic stop, which led to the seizure of about 100,000 blue fentanyl pills.

9 hours ago

Thomas Galvin AZ Political Podcast...

Jim Sharpe

AZ Political Podcast: Thomas Galvin on public funding for sports teams, speed of election results

On this week's edition of AZ Political Podcast, Thomas Galvin discusses public funding for sports teams and how election results can be sped up.

10 hours ago

US 60 between Superior and Miami will be closed until Friday due to blasting work that was performe...

David Veenstra

US 60 between Superior, Miami reopens following blasting

US 60 between Superior and Miami has reopened following blasting work that was performed in the area.

11 hours ago

Maricopa County 1 of 4 pharmacists sentenced for fraud...

Serena O'Sullivan

Maricopa County pharmacist among 4 sentenced in fraud conspiracy

A Maricopa County pharmacist named Raef Hamaed was one of four pharmacists sentenced for their roles in a $13 million conspiracy, officials said.

12 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Join us for the 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade

The 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe returns on Saturday, December 28, at 10 a.m.

...

Schwartz Laser Eye Center

Don’t miss the action with this game-changing procedure

PHOENIX -- The clear lens exchange procedure has emerged as a popular alternative to LASIK eye surgery.

Valley Metro CEO Scott Smith to remain in position until 2020