Image credit: (Peter Bohler / King County)
On March 27, the Sound Transit governing board unanimously selected King County Executive Dow Constantine as the agency’s new CEO. In addition to 15 years as County Executive, Constantine has served as a leader on the Sound Transit board.
With the move, Constantine’s salary will increase from just under $250,000 as County Executive to $450,000 plus bonuses as Sound Transit’s CEO. The Seattle Times editorial board has challenged him to demonstrate that Sound Transit made the right choice in selecting him over candidates with direct experience managing a transit agency.
For the first time in 15 years, King County has a new Executive. On April 1, Shannon Braddock, a longtime senior staffer to King County Councilmember Joe McDermott and later Deputy County Executive under Constantine, stepped in as interim County Executive.
This appointment makes her the first woman to serve as the leader of the state’s largest county. The King County Council is expected to take action soon to select Braddock as the acting County Executive, filling that role until the next County Executive is elected in the November general election.
