Sound Transit has appointed Mary Cummings as chief administrative officer and deputy CEO, a position that the agency says will play a vital role in expanding regional transit services across the Central Puget Sound region, including Kent.
“Mary has an extensive record of driving business transformation in times of growth, experience that will serve us well as we complete and begin operating five new light rail extensions in the next five years,” said Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff in a news release Tuesday. “She is a strong leader, known for building inclusive and collaborative teams. I am confident Mary will bring her many talents to bear to help lead Sound Transit during this crucial time of rapid expansion.”
Sound Transit will extend light rail 7.8 miles in 2024 from SeaTac through Kent to Federal Way. The agency also is extending light rail over the next five years to Northgate Mall, Lynnwood, Bellevue and Redmond.
Cummings, who is replacing the retiring Mike Harbour, will work alongside Deputy CEO and Chief System Officer Kimberly Farley.
Cummings will be paid $285,000 per year, according to Sound Transit. Rogoff is paid $365,000 per year. Farley makes $290,000 per year.
“I am excited to join Sound Transit at this important time of rapid growth and regional transit expansions,” Cummings said in the news release. “It will be an honor to work with an impressive and mission-driven team to ensure people throughout the Puget Sound region have equitable access to public transportation.”
For the first part of her career, Cummings held a number of executive roles at Verizon during the company’s major startup and growth periods, according to the news release. She created a program office that led the successful launch of a new line of business that generated over $200 million in revenue in its second year of operation. As vice president for Verizon Wireless Latin America, Cummings oversaw the company’s largest international investment. In other leadership positions, she oversaw operational improvements and customer service in Mexico, the Czech Republic, Greece, Slovakia, Indonesia and Italy.
Cummings made her transition to higher education as an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. She served as program director of the Carnegie Bosch Institute where she designed, marketed and coordinated the delivery of executive education leadership programs for international executives and Carnegie master of business administration students. In 2012, she joined Waynesburg University, a private school near Pittsburgh, as vice president of Student Services. She held several vice president and senior vice president roles at the university and served as interim chief financial officer.
She earned her bachelor of arts degree at the University of Pittsburgh and her master of business administration at the school’s Katz Graduate School of Business. Cummings is pursuing her doctorate in business at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She also holds numerous certifications in organizational leadership.
Sound Transit CEO salaries
• Peter Rogoff – CEO $365,000
• Kimberly Farley – Deputy CEO $290,000
• Mary Cummings – Deputy CEO $285,000
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