VRT CEO Elaine Clegg’s Amtrak Board nomination moves to next phase

On Thursday, December 12, 2024, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approved the nomination of VRT’s CEO, Elaine Clegg, to the Amtrak Board of Directors. Thursday’s Full Committee Nominations Markup was the final step before heading to the Senate floor for a vote.

Read more: Commerce Committee Approves Nominations, Sending Nominations to the Senate Floor

President Joe Biden made the initial nomination in May 2024, followed by a committee nomination hearing in September 2024.

Clegg’s nomination to the Amtrak Board of Directors reinforces VRT’s commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in public transportation. Per 49 USC Sec 24302, an individual nominated by the U.S. President and confirmed by the Senate to serve on the Amtrak Board is appointed for a term of five years.

With over two decades of experience in transportation planning and policy, Clegg would bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the appointment. Her visionary approach to sustainable transportation solutions has contributed to VRT’s growth as it develops a better bus network, updated infrastructure, and new services.

As a member of the Amtrak Board of Directors, Clegg would play a pivotal role in shaping the future of passenger rail in the United States. Her strategic insights and collaborative approach would drive positive change and enhance the accessibility, reliability, and sustainability of Amtrak services.

“I am incredibly honored to be considered for the Amtrak Board of Directors,” Clegg said. “Those of us who live in Idaho and the Mountain West want and need passenger rail and other ways to travel. Ensuring that public transit, including rail, is sustainable, accessible, and reliable is something I’ve always been passionate about, and I look forward to contributing to Amtrak’s mission. If confirmed as a member of Amtrak’s Board, I will continue to work to bring passenger rail service to the places where it doesn’t exist today and will provide a Western point of view and experience that the Amtrak Board currently lacks.”

About Elaine Clegg

As the CEO of Valley Regional Transit, Clegg provides leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for Treasure Valley’s public transportation authority and ensures the directives of the Board of Directors are achieved. She has been a public servant focused on transportation and land use for over 25 years. She served for nearly 20 years on the Boise City Council where she led many initiatives, including the Elaine Clegg City of Trees Challenge and various efforts to reestablish passenger rail in Idaho and the greater Northwest.

As a city council member, Clegg served on numerous boards, executive boards, advisory committees, and councils. She has held the Chair or President position on the boards of VRT, the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho, the Association of Idaho Cities at the state level, the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and the National League of Cities Transportation Infrastructure Services Committee nationally.

Clegg also led the statewide non-profit Idaho Smart Growth, serving on national non-profit boards while advocating and planning for better transportation and improved land use policy and implementation, assisting over 50 Idaho communities to improve transportation plans, networks, and programs. Since 1998, Clegg has worked to improve access and mobility across modes in the policies of the reauthorizations of the Surface Transportation Bill, including gaining support for establishing the Safe Routes to School Program and enhancing the rail portion of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, Clegg lives in Boise with her husband, where she frequently walks, bikes, rides the bus, and drives when she must. She loves spending time with her five children, their spouses, and her 14 grandchildren.