Town's New STA Leader Seizes Transportation's Potential: Champion for Public Transit in WA
In a unanimous decision, the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) board has chosen Karl Otterstrom as the new CEO, effective August 10. Otterstrom, who has worked with STA for over 15 years, brings extensive experience, deep knowledge of the community, and strong technical skills to the role.
Otterstrom's passion for transit began during his time at Eastern Washington University, where he took a transportation planning class and was inspired to pursue a career in the field. His interest was further piqued when he traveled to Vancouver, British Columbia, for the World's Fair in 1986 and experienced the SkyTrain for the first time.
Throughout his career, Otterstrom has held positions with King County Metro and the Federal Transit Administration, and has been instrumental in leading major projects such as the City Line Bus Rapid Transit and the Connect 2035 strategic plan. His work with STA includes serving as interim co-CEO and chief planning officer.
Board members have praised Otterstrom's commitment to the community and his proven leadership, which they believe will guide STA's future growth and service improvements. Dan Dunne, a Spokane Transit board member and Liberty Lake city councilman, said Otterstrom was selected for the role because of his knowledge of the community and his strong technical skill set. Al French, another board member and Spokane County Commissioner, shared a similar sentiment.
However, the candidate selection process has received scrutiny, as Otterstrom was the only candidate presented for consideration. Spokane City Councilwoman Kitty Klitzky expressed a preference for a broader pool of candidates. Despite this, the board unanimously voted to move forward with Otterstrom as the next CEO on July 17.
Otterstrom's personal mission is to make the world a better place, and he feels privileged to work at STA to achieve this goal. He finds inspiration in transportation due to its problem-solving nature and its ability to connect people with the wider community. A letter from an Eastern Washington University student thanking STA for enabling them to graduate due to the bus service illustrates the importance of transit in connecting people with opportunities.
STA is currently exploring the possibility of creating a bus route to connect Spokane to Kootenai County, and plans for a rapid transit line stretching along Division and a new facility dedicated to clean energy buses are imminent. As Otterstrom prepares to officially take office, he is eager to continue working towards making Spokane a "great place for transit."
References: [1] Spokane Transit Authority (2021). Karl Otterstrom Named as New CEO of Spokane Transit Authority [2] The Spokesman-Review (2021). Spokane Transit Authority selects Karl Otterstrom as new CEO [3] Inlander (2021). Spokane Transit Authority selects Karl Otterstrom as next CEO
During his tenure at STA, Otterstrom's aim is to make Spokane a "great place for transit," aligning with his personal mission to improve the world. His extensive background in the transportation industry, which includes roles at King County Metro and the Federal Transit Administration, will be useful as he oversees major projects like the potential bus route to Kootenai County and the forthcoming Division rapid transit line. In the transportation sector, Otterstrom's leadership will not only be crucial for STA's growth but also for the financial aspects of the organization, as he directs the implementation of strategies like the Connect 2035 plan.
