Photo courtesy of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Following the departure of Art Leahy as CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), Metro Chair and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has announced Phillip Washington as Leahy’s replacement.

Washington previously worked as CEO of Denver’s Regional Transportation District since 2009. Prior to that, he served as Denver’s Regional Transportation District’s interim CEO for six months and was the assistant general manager for nearly 10 years.

During his time in Denver, Washington implemented the FasTracks program, one of the largest voter-approved transit expansion programs in the country, according to a statement from Metro. He also was responsible for a total agency budget appropriation of $2.8 billion and managed more than $5 billion in transit expansion projects.

Washington also emphasized the importance of safety training in Denver, which led to a 40 percent decrease in preventable bus accidents.

“Phil Washington is the ideal person to manage our $36 billion transportation infrastructure program to ease congestion, cut smog and boost our economy for decades to come,” said Mayor Garcetti in a statement. “Phil Washington’s track record of maximizing project efficiency, securing much-needed funding and increasing customer service will well-serve Metro riders and taxpayers.”

Metro said Washington is expected to assume his new position no later than May 29.