Valley Regional Transit Executive Board recommends candidate for CEO

After an extensive nationwide search, the Valley Regional Transit (VRT) Executive Board will recommend Elaine Clegg to the position of CEO for the Treasure Valley’s regional public transportation authority.

The Executive Board, a standing committee of the VRT Board of Directors, began the CEO search in May after Executive Director Kelli Badesheim announced her intention to step down after 22 years of service. The recommendation will be taken to the VRT Board of Directors in January for formal consideration.

“We have gone through a very thorough search process and interviewed a slate of highly talented candidates for this position,” said Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling, Chair of the VRT Board of Directors. “As the transit authority for the region, VRT is proud to bring together so many partners and stakeholders, and we are grateful for the ongoing support and participation from our community as we arrive at this crucial decision for the Treasure Valley.”

Clegg currently serves as the Council President for the City of Boise and has been a Council Member since 2004, when she also began serving on the VRT Board of Directors. She has held various leadership positions during her time on the VRT Board (and recused herself during the CEO search process). She has long been an advocate for public transportation and has led efforts to restore passenger rail service to the Treasure Valley. She is also a Program Manager at Idaho Smart Growth, where she has served as Executive Director, and serves on the boards of the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) and the National League of Cities.

“The Treasure Valley continues to experience tremendous growth and, with it, pressure to deliver enhanced transportation options. In this pivotal moment, public transit is a critical solution to that growth pressure, and it provides essential connections that make life better for residents of the region,” said Clegg. “I am ecstatic to be considered for this position and look forward to the opportunity to help expand and enhance transportation options.”

The Executive Board enlisted Affion Public to conduct a competitive national search that culminated in a highly qualified applicant pool with a variety of experience in the transportation and public sectors. Community and stakeholder panels comprised of elected officials, community leaders, public sector representatives, transportation professionals, and members of the business community provided additional input.

“We are pleased to recommend Elaine for this position,” Kling said. “She brings vision, passion, and leadership as VRT continues to advance the mission of connecting more people to more places, and we are confident in her ability to lead the agency forward.”