'A prepared and proved leader': Ramabhadran takes over as METRO board chair

For seven years, Professional Engineer Sanjay Ramabhadran served as one of the nine members who comprise the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, or METRO Board of Directors. 

On Feb. 24, he presided over his first meeting as chair of the board, an office to which he was nominated by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner a week prior, according to a METRO issued press release.

"A prepared and proved leader, @sanjayram2000 is ready to steer #Texas largest metropolitan transit authority right now," Turner said in a tweet. "During his time on the @METROHouston Board, he has helped oversee the planning, design, construction and launch of major projects."

Ramabhadran was first named to the board in 2015.

The first Indian-American chair, he succeeded Carrin Pattman, who was the board's first female chair.

President Joe Biden nominated Pattman to be the U.S. ambassador to Iceland, the release said.

"It's an honor of a lifetime to be able to serve the City of Houston and the rest of the greater Houston region," Ramabhadran said in the release. "I truly appreciate the confidence and trust [the mayor has] placed in me to be able to build upon the last several years under Chair Carrin Patman's leadership."

Ramabhadran served on the board's Capital & Strategic and Finance & Audit committees. 

He had a front-row seat to METRO's launch of the New Bus Network during his first year on the board, the approval of the METRONext Moving Forward Plan, the passage of the $3.5 billion bond referendum in 2019 and the opening of the METRORapid Silver Line.

"The continued economic growth of our region is going to be inextricably tied to the investments we will make in improving our quality of life," Ramabhadran said in the release. "And public transportation is a huge part of improving that quality of life."

Turner, who appointed Pattman as METRO board chair in 2016 during his first term, said in a release issued by his office that the appointments are a testament to Houston's strength as a diverse and inclusive city.

"There is incredible talent in our city," the mayor said. "That gives me hope that no matter what challenges we face, we will overcome those challenges if we work together."