Secretary of Transportation announces WMATA board appointment

Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine announced Wednesday that Paul C. Smedberg has been appointed to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to represent the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Principal Director on the Board of Directors.

Smedberg succeeds Jim Corcoran, who was appointed in 2015 and currently serves as Second Vice Chair of the Board. Corcoran’s contributions to WMATA in this role have laid the foundation for its future growth and success.

With the passage of the historic funding by Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia in 2018, Smedberg will play a critical role as a Principal Director overseeing operations, governance, and implementation of reforms.

WMATA is an interstate compact agency consisting of representatives of the District of Columbia, State of Maryland, and Commonwealth of Virginia. WMATA is tasked with planning, developing, financing, and operating a comprehensive mass transit system for the Washington Metropolitan Area. The Commonwealth of Virginia actively participates in transit oversight for the greater Washington area to ensure that all Virginians have access to safe, reliable transportation options.

Smedberg was appointed by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) to the WMATA Board as an Alternate Director in January of 2016. He joined the NVTC in 2006 and, in January of this year, was appointed its Chair. He also served five terms on the Alexandria City Council.

“Paul’s experience, leadership, keen insights, and integrity make him uniquely qualified to step into this position,” said Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine.

“Paul’s prior experience as an Alternate Director on the WMATA Board will serve the Commonwealth well,” said Jennifer Mitchell, Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. “As Chair of the NVTC, he also helped implement many of the reforms included in this year’s dedicated funding legislation.”

Smedberg has been selected as the Commonwealth’s designee, and that selection will be submitted to the NVTC for appointment. He is expected to begin serving as a principal Director on the WMATA Board effective January 1, 2019.

Smedberg earned degrees in economics and history from Allegheny College and is a 2001 Fellow of the Sorenson Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia.