VIDEO: Sound Transit Board votes unanimously to appoint Dow Constantine as next CEO

| Sound Transit | West Seattle news

3:42 PM: We’re in the Sound Transit board room at Union Station downtown, where ST board members have just voted unanimously to appoint Dow Constantine – the West Seattleite in his fourth and final term as King County Executive – as the transit agency’s CEO. The vote followed their search consultant’s recap of the process, including defense of the candidate confidentiality, and members’ reiteration of their confidence that Constantine was the most qualified and will “hit the ground running.” Board members’ remarks also acknowledged the big issues facing the agency, and one mentioned that Constantine “will not get a honeymoon” – those issues need to be addressed fast. As we reported yesterday, his starting salary will be $450,000.

He entered the board room right after the vote and is speaking next. (Added: Here are the 55 minutes of video including the discussion of his nomination, the vote, and his remarks afterward:)

4:14 PM: Constantine promised his new bosses that he will prioritize “regionality, transparency, stability, reliability, safety, and cleanliness.” He also vowed “we will navigate these choppy waters together,” alluding to the many intensifying challenges facing the agency, not the least of which is funding. We spoke to him briefly afterward; more on that after we’re back at HQ, but first, he confirmed that he’ll start work at ST on April 1 (next Tuesday) and that deputy county executive Shannon Braddock – also a West Seattleite – will take over on an interim basis until the County Council decides what to do until a new CE is chosen by voters this fall.

ADDED THURSDAY EVENING: Here are our two hallway questions, post-vote:

Here’s the Sound Transit news release with the announcement.

Anne March 27, 2025 (4:43 pm)

Of course they did.Wonder how Dow will get to work now? He won’t have a KCSO Detective to drive him everywhere. Maybe Sound Transit will fund a driver-or maybe-he’ll take transit!!!!!On another note -there will be a new “puppet master”(Susan Braddock) pulling the strings at the KCSO.

Anne March 27, 2025 (5:28 pm)

Replying to myself-Shannon Braddock is the new “ puppet master”

WhattaSurprise March 27, 2025 (4:59 pm)

Shameful. Simply shameful.

J March 27, 2025 (5:10 pm)

Congratulations Dow.

WestSide 4 life March 27, 2025 (6:59 pm)

Make us proud Dow…

Upper March 27, 2025 (7:02 pm)

Remind me – why the outrage?

k March 27, 2025 (9:18 pm)

Not really sure. Harrell spent $185,000 adding a gym for himself to city hall that he now never uses, but that is apparently not as noteworthy as the County Executive getting a new job. It makes a lot of sense to me. He’s been with the project a long time, so he knows the project well and what he’s getting into, and is less likely to abandon them after a short while like the last guy. He has worked in government for a long time, and knows well who to talk to in order to get things done, and what options exist working with different municipalities. Time is money, and every day Constantine saves us by just knowing the ropes already is going to save taxpayers money.
d March 27, 2025 (11:11 pm)

cuz he appointed some of the people who were on the board who appointed him. Raises some ethical concerns about insiders helping insiders, especially since of the 60 candidates there were others who had real experience in transit operations. The whole process was also criticized for being too secretive.

Helpless March 27, 2025 (7:50 pm)

There was no other outcome! Weak board members, couldn’t stand up to the pressure,. from the mayor, and vested interests. This will live down in history as the biggest mistake to the tax payers from uniformed closed minded board members and there will be blow back from the community. But, who can stop sound transit? Look at what is happening in the federal government run by a lunatic ( just saying) Totally disgusted with it all !

Concerned March 27, 2025 (8:17 pm)

Replying to correct the word helpless. None of us is helpless in this or any situation . Just disgusted.

Etherhuffer March 27, 2025 (9:41 pm)

In a better world the CEO would be civil or mechanical engineer with management experience.

mwhitty March 28, 2025 (6:41 am)

10k home office provision?! He should be required to take public transit to and from work or ride his bike to a light rail station. Time to walk the walk. This is what a transit leader should do. In addition, every board member should be required to take public transit when attending board meetings.

Canton March 28, 2025 (7:16 am)

$450,000 base, $30,000 bonus, $10,000 home office stipend, 35 paid days off, contract termination – extra year salary… No wonder we are broke with new taxes coming…

Bradley March 28, 2025 (9:56 am)

And gets market rate reviewed to market average in 2026 and 2027, so that will probably be a big bump too. So they’re not low balling and saving money. Hard to believe there wasn’t a stronger candidate out there. Even if he was the “best” choice, the optics are so poor, it should inspire a deep review of the Boards process.

Mellow Kitty March 28, 2025 (8:35 am)

Isn’t the state 12+ billion dollars in the hole? How can the state/city justify a nearly half-million dollar salary while the schools and colleges are facing huge, HUGE, budget cuts and layoffs? All over the state there’s spending and hiring freezes. It’s just another slap in the face courtesy of irresponsible and unchecked government spending.

Arbor Heights Resident March 30, 2025 (9:44 pm)

Sound Transit isn’t funded by the state or the city. Its funding comes from local taxes directly levied by the Regional Transit Authority. It has absolutely nothing to do with education funding or the WA state deficit.

KT March 28, 2025 (9:44 am)

I don’t believe for a second that his selection was not preordained. A real injustice was done to the applicants who applied and were strung along.

Bradley March 28, 2025 (11:15 am)

And they might be glad they’ve dodged a bullet.
Jeff March 28, 2025 (2:18 pm)

If they’ve been job hunting any time in the last decade they are used to it. I know if I’ve been the obligatory outside interview before giving the job to the person already picked at least a couple times in the past.

Actually Mike March 28, 2025 (1:06 pm)

One part of the PR fluff does sound true: I’m sure Dow will hit the ground running. To the bank, that is. What a disgrace on the ST Board.

20 years later March 28, 2025 (1:31 pm)

Good grief WSB. The average pay of a CEO in the United States is 300 times the average worker. I’d say Dow’s is going to be closer to 5 to 6 times the average worker. There is nothing egregious about his pay. Look at the backlash he’s already having to deal with. I’d direct your outrage (and maybe that’s what is going on here) at the national corruption we are witnessing and living through!

If the argument is the hiring process wasn’t fair, well that might be a good point.