South Florida RTA extends executive director's contract, adds board member

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority's (SFRTA) governing board recently voted unanimously to extend Executive Director Jack Stephens’ contract by two years, expiring Jan. 31, 2017. He has served in the post since February 2014.

Stephens previously served as SFRTA's deputy executive director for more than a decade. Prior to joining the authority, he spent a dozen years with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority in a succession of increasingly responsible managerial positions, including deputy general manager for administration, interim general manager/chief executive officer and executive vice president.

Earlier in his career, Stephens served the Orleans Parish Public Schools and Georgia Department of Offender Rehabilitation in various roles, and was a legislative staff member for the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners has appointed Mayor Tim Ryan as the county's representative on SFRTA's governing board. His term began in January.

Ryan was elected to the Broward County Commission in November 2012. He was elected mayor of Broward County in November 2014 after serving as vice mayor the previous year. Ryan previously served the Florida House of Representatives from 1998 to 2006.