Sound Transit announces new Directors for Sounder commuter rail and Link light rail departments

Ahmad Fazel, Interim Director of Sound Transit's Link Light Rail Department, has been named Director of the department, the agency announced today. Sound Transit Executive Director Joni Earl also announced the appointment of Lee Bullock as Director of the agency's Sounder Commuter Rail Department. Bullock has spent the past 28 years with AMTRAK, most recently as Vice President-Freight Railroad Affairs.

"This completes my senior management team," said Earl. "The addition of Ahmad Fazel and Lee Bullock rounds out a strong group of directors to help lead this agency and provide the full range of transit services so desperately needed by this region."

Earl also thanked Interim Sounder Director David Beal for his leadership during this critical transition. Beal will return to his position as Project Manager when Bullock joins the agency on March 4, 2002.

Prior to joining Sound Transit, Fazel was Director of Planning and Development for Denver's Regional Transportation District, where one of his major achievements was opening two light rail corridors on time and under budget. In addition, he served as Systems Engineer for Portland's Tri-Met Westside light rail project. Fazel joined Sound Transit in September 2000 and was promoted to Deputy Director of Link in early 2001.

"I am honored by this appointment and pleased with the vote of confidence from Executive Director Earl," said Fazel. "I look forward to working with my amazing staff to complete the job of building a world-class light rail system for the Puget Sound region."

Bullock joined AMTRAK in 1973 and served in a variety of senior management positions. He played a key role in forming AMTRAK West, serving California, Oregon and Washington. He also has worked closely with the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railroad---one of Sound Transit's key partners for commuter rail.

"This is an exciting time for the Puget Sound region and I want to be part of it" said Bullock. "My goal is to build on the successful beginnings of Sounder and bring it to full service from Lakewood to Everett."

In 1996 voters approved a plan and funding for Sound Transit to provide a regional system of transit improvements, including Sounder commuter rail, ST Express regional bus service, numerous capital improvements (including park and rides, transit centers and direct access ramps) and Link light rail.

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Sound Transit plans, builds and operates regional transit systems and services to improve mobility for Central Puget Sound.