(The Center Square) – Sound Transit’s Board of Directors has appointed Goran Sparrman as the agency’s interim CEO on a one-year contract that will be only $10,000 more than the previous CEO will make in severance pay.
Sparrman’s interim CEO contract includes an annual base salary of $385,000 and a $30,000 signing bonus. The contract includes a partial repayment of the bonus if the contract is terminated early, and a retention bonus of $29,000 if continuously employed through the last day of the contract term.
A taxable expense allowance of $15,000 a year is included in the contract to defray miscellaneous routine business expenses incurred, consistent with Sound Transit policies.
Sound Transit’s new interim CEO brings more than 30 years of experience in the public and private sector to the agency. Most recently, Sparrman served as a business development officer and vice president at the engineering consultant, HNTB Corporation.
Sparrman also served as interim director of the Seattle Department of Transportation, where he led planning, design, building, maintenance and operations to support the city’s transportation infrastructure.
“Goran [Sparrman] is well-respected for his skill and knowledge in transportation and infrastructure projects,” Sound Transit Vice Chair and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers said in a statement. “He’s a trusted regional leader who would bring a steady hand to an agency with which he is already familiar.”
The appointment of Sparrman comes as a result of previous Sound Transit CEO Julie Timm announcing her departure from the agency last December.
Timm will receive a severance pay of $375,000 this year, as part of her contract. That is $10,000 less than Sparrman’s base annual salary.
The new interim CEO’s contract was approved at the Sound Transit Board of Directors meeting on Jan. 11.
“I appreciate the vote of confidence that the board has placed upon me and let’s get to work,” Sparrman said following the board’s unanimous approval of his appointment as Sound Transit’s interim CEO.
