Former Redwood City Councilman to Lead Transit Agency

By Bay City News Service:

A former Redwood City councilman and member of the California High Speed Rail Authority board was appointed this week as the new general manager and chief executive officer of the San Mateo County Transit District, officials said.

As general manager and CEO of the transit district, Jim Hartnett, 64, will head Caltrain, SamTrans and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority.

The three agencies have combined budgets of more than $500 million and more than 1,500 people working for them, officials said Wednesday.

His annual salary and benefits during the course of the five-year contract will be $434,661. That includes a base salary of $263,000, $75,000 for managing Caltrain and $25,000 for managing the transportation authority, with the remaining $71,661 representing the cost of benefits.

Hartnett, an attorney and Peninsula native, has served on both the district and Caltrain board of directors for more than a decade and served 15 years on the Redwood City council, including terms as both mayor and vice mayor. He served four years on the high speed rail board, including a term as vice chair, but has now resigned from that board.

He replaces Michael Scanlon, who held the post for more than 15 years. Hartnett is scheduled to start on March 30.

(Image via www.smctd.com)