From: "Friends of Transit" To: Subject: In Case you missed the Tribune Article on Richard Simonetta, Executive Director of Metro - The Light Rail System Date: Friday, December 26, 2003 2:02 PM Publication: East Valley Tribune; Date: Friday, DEC 26, 2003; Section: East Valley News; Page 1 Rail exec’s job: Build confidence Metro chief brings experience in transit systems By GARIN GROFF TRIBUNE A quarter century of professional and family visits to the Valley have won Richard Simonetta’s heart. Now, it’s Simonetta’s turn to do the same for Valley residents as he becomes leader of the Metro light-rail system. Simonetta, 58, accepted Metro’s chief executive officer job last week as another step in his career of managing transit systems, and he knows the pressure will be on when he begins work Jan. 5. He must immediately begin lobbying the public and lawmakers to fund extensions of a system that is still on the drawing board. He also must prepare to operate Metro and convince an automobile-based community to use it. And, not least, Simonetta must prepare for a spring groundbreaking on a $1.1 billion system that will take three years to build as it snakes through 20 miles of established business zones and neighborhoods in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. Rail construction problems have triggered huge backlashes in other communities, and Simonetta knows he’s responsible if things go wrong here. "We certainly are going to be operating in a fishbowl," Simonetta said. "Getting the thing done right is a high priority." As part of his job, he will take the role of Metro’s top advocate. Until now, that task had fallen to Phoenix Mayor Skip Rimsza, who leaves office in January after years of promoting the project with an evangelistic zeal. "If I may be so bold, it’s kind of been carried by me through to this point," Rimsza said. "Now Rick’s going to have to carry it. He will be a face and a name" that the community will come to know. Simonetta introduced himself to the Valley last week when he visited to accept his job and begin making contacts with Valley leaders. Simonetta, who holds a master’s degree in regional planning, is most enthusiastic when talking of light rail’s potential to change the Valley by attracting development and bustling entertainment centers. This is the promise of light rail in every community, but Simonetta noted the potential sometimes falls short because public officials run the line through places with little development opportunity. His tour of the Valley’s route convinces him there’s nothing to worry about. "So many communities, in order to get a light-rail system, will find the easiest place to build it, the place with the least public resistance." Simonetta said. "This oneis so different. It runs through the hearts of the two major cities of the Valley." The system has its skeptics. Opponents fear it will disrupt traffic as it travels down the center of existing streetsand blocks many left-hand turns. They also say the $60 million-a-mile construction cost is excessive for a system projected to log 26,000 boardings a day when it opens in late 2006. Metro is all but certain to be built, but the fate of a proposed expansion is less clear. Voters will likely decide in 2004 whether to continue a county transportation tax that could raise $17.1 billion for freeways, roads, rail and bus spending. About $2.1 billion of that would fund a 27-mile expansion of the rail system. A survey of voters this summer found widespread support for the package, but the rail component was the top reason respondents said they would vote no. Simonetta said it’s too soon to say how he’ll deal with specific criticism of the Valley system, but he said much of that challenge will go away when Metro starts running. "Once it opens, the level of opposition will subside," Simonetta said. Simonetta is familiar with Arizona’s largest metro area. His association started a quarter century ago with trips to transportation conferences hosted here. Then his two daughters moved here in the 1990s, sparking visits that included weddings for each of them. The trips made Simonetta want to move here with his wife, and eventually retire inArizona. Simonetta beat out about 30 applicants because his experience shows he’s "been there, done that," said Tempe City Councilman Len Copple. Copple, who served on a hiring committee, said Simonetta stood out. "He’s articulate and knowledgable," Copple said. "I don’t think he’s giving a salesman’s pitch just to say something. I think he believes from the heart." Richard Simonetta Title: Chief executive officer of Metro, the Valley’s light-rail system Age: 58 Salary: $180,000 a year Experience includes: • Transportation consultant • CEO of Metropolitan Atlanta Transit Authority • General manager of Central Ohio Transit Authority in Columbus • Executive director of Ann Arbor Transportation Authority in Michigan • Deputy general manager, Regional Transportation District in Denver