Metro Executive and Leadership Team

Chris Balish, the Director, Strategic & Communications Executive & Chief Executive Officer, Office of at Metro, directs high-level organizational strategy and public messaging. Overseeing the integration of corporate communications with long-term transit planning, the Director ensures alignment across all agency departments. This leadership role involves managing complex stakeholder relationships and driving the overarching vision for regional transportation development. By refining internal and external messaging, Chris Balish directly impacts the public perception and operational success of the agency. The Director, Strategic & Communications Executive & Chief Executive Officer, Office of maintains focus on expanding service accessibility for millions of residents. Through rigorous oversight of strategic initiatives, Balish secures the agency's position as a primary coordinator for transit infrastructure. This executive function requires constant collaboration with the Board to advance critical mobility projects across the expansive service area.

Desarae Jones, the Senior Director, Special Projects, Office of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief of Staff at Metro, manages high-priority initiatives and coordinates executive office workflows. Overseeing the execution of complex cross-departmental projects, the Senior Director ensures that agency goals remain on schedule and within budget. This leadership role involves facilitating communication between the Chief Executive Officer and various operational divisions to streamline decision-making processes. By optimizing administrative efficiency, Desarae Jones directly impacts the agency's ability to deliver large-scale transportation solutions. The Senior Director, Special Projects, Office of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief of Staff monitors project milestones to guarantee alignment with the broader mission of serving the county's 10 million residents. Through meticulous planning and resource allocation, Jones drives the successful implementation of strategic transit programs. This position requires constant engagement with senior leadership to resolve operational bottlenecks and maintain organizational momentum.

Bill Van Zwol, the President at Metro, leads the agency's business development and commercial growth initiatives. Overseeing the expansion of revenue-generating programs and public-private partnerships, the President ensures that the agency maintains financial health while delivering essential transit services. This leadership role involves negotiating complex contracts and identifying new opportunities for infrastructure investment across the service area. By fostering relationships with regional stakeholders and private sector partners, Bill Van Zwol directly impacts the agency's ability to fund future transportation projects. The President monitors market trends to adapt the agency's business model to the evolving needs of the county's residents. Through strategic oversight of commercial operations, Van Zwol drives the agency's long-term sustainability. This executive function requires constant engagement with the Board and external partners to secure the resources necessary for maintaining the country's largest transit network.

Desiree Portillo-Rabinov, the President at Metro, directs the agency's long-range planning and urban design strategies. Overseeing the development of transit-oriented communities and infrastructure projects, the President ensures that transportation investments support sustainable regional growth. This leadership role involves coordinating with local governments and community groups to align transit expansion with land-use policies. By integrating urban planning with transit accessibility, Desiree Portillo-Rabinov directly impacts the quality of life for millions of residents within the service area. The President monitors demographic shifts and travel patterns to guide the agency's future construction priorities. Through strategic oversight of planning departments, Portillo-Rabinov drives the creation of a more connected and efficient transportation network. This position requires constant collaboration with regional planners to ensure that the agency's infrastructure projects meet the long-term needs of the county's diverse and growing population.

Elba Higueros, the Deputy Chief of Staff at Metro, supports the executive office by managing daily operations and coordinating internal policy implementation. Overseeing the flow of information between departments, the Deputy Chief of Staff ensures that leadership directives translate into actionable tasks for the agency's workforce. This leadership role involves analyzing operational data to improve administrative performance and supporting the Chief of Staff in high-level decision-making. By fostering collaboration across diverse teams, Elba Higueros directly impacts the efficiency of the agency's planning and construction efforts. The Deputy Chief of Staff maintains focus on organizational stability while navigating the complexities of a massive transit service area. Through proactive management of executive priorities, Higueros facilitates the smooth execution of agency-wide initiatives. This role requires deep understanding of the transportation landscape to effectively manage the demands placed upon the executive leadership team.

Conan Cheung, the Chief Operations Officer at Metro, directs the daily performance of the agency's extensive bus and rail networks. Overseeing the maintenance of service quality and safety standards, the Chief Operations Officer ensures that millions of daily commuters receive reliable transportation. This leadership role involves managing large-scale operational budgets and optimizing fleet deployment to meet fluctuating demand across the 1,433-square-mile service area. By implementing data-driven scheduling and maintenance protocols, Conan Cheung directly impacts the operational reliability of the entire transit system. The Chief Operations Officer monitors real-time performance metrics to address service disruptions and improve passenger experience. Through strategic oversight of frontline staff and operational assets, Cheung drives the agency's commitment to efficient public transit. This executive function requires constant coordination with engineering and planning teams to ensure that operational capacity matches the growth of the region's population.

Robert Spadafora, the Senior Executive Officer, Rail Fleet Services at Metro, manages the maintenance, procurement, and lifecycle management of the agency's rail assets. Overseeing the technical teams responsible for rolling stock, the Senior Executive Officer ensures that all trains meet rigorous safety and performance standards. This leadership role involves coordinating with engineering departments to modernize the fleet and integrate new technology into existing rail infrastructure. By reducing downtime and improving maintenance efficiency, Robert Spadafora directly impacts the availability of rail services for the region's residents. The Senior Executive Officer, Rail Fleet Services monitors fleet health to support the agency's long-term expansion goals. Through strategic planning of capital investments, Spadafora drives the modernization of the rail network. This position requires constant collaboration with operations teams to ensure that fleet capacity aligns with the demands of the transit system's daily ridership.