SFMTA Appoints New Director of Capital Programs and Construction

June 7, 2012
Vince Harris of StanCOG to lead San Francisco transportation capital planning and construction efforts.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which oversees all surface transportation in San Francisco including the Municipal Railway (Muni), announced today the appointment of Vince Harris as director of Capital Programs and Construction. Harris, previously the executive director of the Stanislaus Council of Governments (StanCOG) in Modesto, Calif., and the executive director (1988-1998) of the Alameda County Transportation Authority will take over the position effective June 11.

“Vince’s leadership both in Modesto and in the Bay Area in the field of transportation construction and planning, including his previous experience at the SFMTA, will further our efforts to ensure excellence in the delivery of all of the Agency’s construction projects,” said Edward D. Reiskin, director of Transportation. “He understands the importance of comprehensive transportation capital planning and will be a great asset to the agency and the people of San Francisco.”

Harris will be responsible for the SFMTA’s $3 billion Capital Improvement Program, including new light rail extensions, facility upgrades and enhancements and system overhead wire and rail replacement projects, reporting directly to Reiskin. His division will include capital engineering, project management, project controls, construction management, contract administration and capital quality assurance functions.

As mentioned above, Harris joins the SFMTA from StanCOG in Modesto, Calif., where he was charged with overseeing the agency, which is the Metropolitan Planning Organization and Congestion Management Agency for the surrounding area. This oversight meant responsibility for developing, delivering and monitoring the Regional Transportation Plan and the Congestion Management Process, which include a diverse mix of transit, highway and local street and road projects designed to improve regional mobility, reduce congestion and improve air quality.

Harris takes over from Shahnam Farhangi, division deputy for Contract Administration, who served as SFMTA acting director of Capital Programs and Construction.