SANDAG appoints Ikhrata executive director

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) recently installed Hasan Ikhrata as executive director. He assumed the position Dec. 3.

SANDAG's board chose Ikhrata, who was executive director of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) the past 10 years, after a nationwide search. SCAG is the nation's largest metropolitan planning organization, covering six counties, 191 cities and 19 million people.

Ikhrata now reports to SANDAG's board, oversees a $1.3 billion annual budget and is responsible for a staff of 375 people. Former SANDAG Executive Director Gary Gallegos — who had led the agency beginning in 2001 — retired in August 2017.

"We are looking forward to working with Hasan, who has had many years of planning transportation systems for our neighbors to the north," said SANDAG Chair-Elect Steve Vaus in a press release.

Ikhrata last week attended his first SANDAG board meeting, during which members approved the creation of a steering committee to identify future transportation solutions to improve connectivity to San Diego International Airport.

A metropolitan planning organization, SANDAG has capital planning and fare setting oversight for San Diego County's transit systems, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and North County Transit District.