SEATTLE — Sound Transit has hired Dow Constantine, the current King County (Wash.) executive, as its next CEO.
The Sound Transit board approved the choice of Constantine today (March 27) by a 15-0 vote. Constantine has been a member of the board since 2006, but had recused himself from the board’s process of considering CEO candidates.
“Dow can hit the ground running and intimately knows the inner workings of Sound Transit,” Board Chair Dave Somers said in a press release. “He has proven his ability to oversee large organizations, run a major transit agency, and maintain crucial partnerships locally, regionally, and nationally that will be necessary to complete the central spine. Our economy and environment will benefit from the success of Dow and Sound Transit.”
Constantine will start as CEO on April 1. His contract, with a base annual salary of $450,000, will run through Dec. 31, 2026, with two one-year extensions at the board’s discretion. Current interim CEO Goran Sparrman will remain as an acting CEO or an advisor through May 2, at Constantine’s request.
“It is an honor to be chosen as the next CEO of Sound Transit,” Constantine said. “Much of my service as an elected official has been devoted to building the world-class transit system our region has long needed and creating vibrant, transit-connected communities throughout Central Puget Sound. I can think of nothing I would rather do than lead this agency into the future, and I thank the Board for their vote of confidence.”
Constantine has served as the King County Executive, an elected position, since 2009. As part of that job, he has overseen King County Metro, the nation’s eighth-largest transit bus agency.
“We welcome Dow as the next CEO and appreciate his commitment to delivering critical transit projects for the entire region,” said Board Vice Chair Ryan Mello. “Dow has adeptly managed large, complex government organizations, including a major transit agency. His experience is what we need to deliver ST3 [the agency’s long-term plan] and safe, reliable transit. The board will work closely with Dow to establish key metrics to ensure Sound Transit is the best run, most efficient transit agency in the country.”
Constantine’s hiring has drawn criticism because of the internal nature of the process, with King County Assessor John Wilson — a candidate to succeed Constantine as county executive — pointing to conflicts.
“I have worked closely with Dow for years and consider him a friend,” Wilson said in a statement prior to today’s vote, as reported by KOMO Radio. “ However, this is a glaring example of why the public is so skeptical of government and too many insiders taking care of each other instead of the public.
“As King County Executive, Dow has appointed more than half of the Sound Transit Board, including both of my opponents. Now my opponents have backed Dow for a new job with a salary of up to $650K per year.”
Voters will choose a new county executive in November. The county council will select an interim executive to serve the remainder of Constantine’s term, which was to run through Jan. 1, 2026.
