Metro News Release

For immediate release: January 22, 2004

Robert J. Smith elected chairman of Metro’s board of directors

Robert J. Smith has been elected to serve a one-year term as Chairman of the Board of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), effective immediately. Mr. Smith, a Board member representing Maryland, succeeds Jim Graham, whose one-year term as chairman ended today. Mr. Graham remains on the Board of Directors as a representative for the District of Columbia. " While I continue to vigorously debate the operation of WMATA on behalf of the state of Maryland, I hope that after we have waded through the challenges of this year that my colleagues, management, and staff will be able to say that I presided over the operations of the Board with fair and equitable consideration regardless of the variety of decisions on which we agree or disagree," Mr. Smith said. Mr. Smith has served as the Board’s First Vice Chairman since August when he was named to the Board by Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., to fill the seat vacated by Cleatus Barnett, who retired from the Metro Board. " Bob Smith understands the vital contribution of Metro to the region and the difficult budget challenges ahead," said Governor Ehrlich. " As an architect with two decades of experience, he has the strong professional background needed to help WMATA reach its goal of meeting the rapidly growing needs of transit riders in the Washington region within a fixed budget." A Gaithersburg resident, Mr. Smith, 44, is an architect and practices with a partner in the firm Smith Colen Architects in Gaithersburg, founded in 1987. He has designed strip malls, small office buildings, and other retail buildings. A Republican who has been active in his community, Mr. Smith has previously sought election to the Maryland House of Delegates in the 39th District. " The legacy of those who created the Metro system is one of awesome responsibility and stewardship in so much as the daily livelihood and well being of the citizens of this region, and indeed, the safety of more than a million people who are transported on our vehicles daily, depend upon the decisions we make. I take this responsibility very seriously," Mr. Smith said. Also today, Dana Kauffman, a Fairfax County, VA, representative on the Board of Directors, was elected First Vice Chairman and Gladys Mack, a representative for the District of Columbia, was elected Second Vice Chairperson.

News release issued on January 22, 2004.