Public Transportation Champion Takes Reigns: New STA Leader Sees potential in city's transit system
In the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Spokane, a city structurally designed around historic streetcar routes, is set to welcome a new leader in its transit sector. Karl Otterstrom, an experienced transportation planner with nearly 20 years in public transportation, will officially take office as the CEO of Spokane Transit Authority (STA) on August 10.
Otterstrom's journey with STA began over 15 years ago, and he has been serving as the interim co-CEO and chief planning and development officer. His selection by the STA Board of Directors was based on his extensive experience, which includes leading significant projects such as the City Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) launch and the STA Moving Forward ten-year strategic plan.
The process by which Otterstrom was selected has received some scrutiny, as he was the only candidate presented by the recommendation team for consideration by the rest of the board. However, members of the board, including Dan Dunne, a Spokane Transit board member and Liberty Lake city councilman, have touted Otterstrom for his passion for transit and his knowledge of the community. Dan Dunne stated that Otterstrom was selected for the role due to his knowledge of the community and strong technical skill set.
Despite this controversy, the board unanimously voted on July 17 to move forward with Otterstrom as the next CEO. Board member and Spokane County Commissioner Al French shared a similar sentiment, stating that Otterstrom's ability to use and build transit in the community is unlike anything he's ever seen.
Otterstrom's personal mission is to make the world a better place, and he feels privileged to work at Spokane Transit in pursuit of that goal. His fascination with public transportation systems began early, with a trip to Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1986, where he experienced the SkyTrain for the first time. This experience left a lasting impression, fueling his passion for transit planning.
Before joining STA, Otterstrom held positions with King County Metro and the Federal Transit Administration. His educational background includes a bachelor's degree in urban and regional planning from Eastern Washington University and a master's in urban planning from the University of Washington.
Looking ahead, Otterstrom's vision for STA includes plans for a rapid transit line stretching along Division and a new facility dedicated to clean energy buses. STA is also exploring the possibility of creating a bus route to connect Spokane to Kootenai County. With his extensive experience, passion for transit, and deep understanding of the community, Otterstrom is poised to lead STA into a future of improved public transportation.
[1] Spokane Transit Authority (STA) Announces New CEO (Source) [5] Karl Otterstrom Named New CEO of Spokane Transit Authority (Source)
The new CEO of Spokane Transit Authority (STA), Karl Otterstrom, is set to bring his extensive experience in transportation planning to the table, having previously worked on significant projects such as the City Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) launch and the STA Moving Forward ten-year strategic plan. In the broader transportation industry, Otterstrom's vision for STA includes initiatives like a rapid transit line along Division, a clean energy bus facility, and even a bus route connecting Spokane to Kootenai County, hinting at future collaborations between rail and bus services.
