Another Capital Metro board of directors member is leaving, marking the third board member to depart in the past three months.
John Langmore informed the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization that he would not seek re-appointment to the Capital Metro board. Langmore will remain on the board until CAMPO appoints a replacement. Applications are being accepted until June 20, and the CAMPO transportation policy board will appoint a replacement Aug. 11.
Capital Metro CEO and President Linda Watson said she has appreciated all the work the outgoing board members have accomplished to implement changes in the agency.
"Losing them one by one is painful, but I know we're getting some great board members," she said. "That helps ease the loss."
Capital Metro board members serve three-year terms and are appointed by various jurisdictions and organizations. CAMPO appoints three members of which one is an elected official, the Travis County and Williamson County commissioners courts each appoint one member, Austin City Council appoints two members of which one is an elected official, and one member is chosen to represent the smaller cities in Capital Metro's service area.
Former Capital Metro board member Frank Fernandez left in January because of a move to Atlanta. CAMPO appointed Terry Mitchell—president of real estate development firm Momark Development—on March 19 to replace him.
On June 9, the Williamson County Commissioners Court approved appointing Juli Word to replace Norm Chafetz, who has sat on the board since 2010. His term ends July 1. Word will be sworn in at the July 28 meeting.
Word is the business services coordinator for the Texas Department of Transportation's Austin district and has more than 21 years of experience in the financial field. She is responsible for daily business operations and has previously worked as a TxDOT budget analyst and in other accounting and auditing positions there from 2001 to 2010.
"We operate with great attention to financial transparency and accountability, and Juli's proven abilities in financial management will support the Capital Metro board in continuing to achieve these important goals," Watson said.