Monday, June 30, 2025

Metro Board Elects Barger as Second Vice Chair, Poised for Olympic Leadership

County supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Pasadena, will lead transportation authority during critical Games preparation period

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger was unanimously elected Second Vice Chair of the Metro Board on Thursday, positioning her to lead the transportation authority during the 2027-2028 fiscal year when Los Angeles prepares to host the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The 13-member Metro Board’s leadership rotation will elevate Barger to Board Chair as the county finalizes preparations for the international sporting events. Barger, who has served on the Metro Board since 2016, will succeed incoming Chair Fernando Dutra.

“I’m joining a strong, experienced, and principled Metro Board leadership team and am deeply honored by the confidence my colleagues have placed in me,” Barger said. Her leadership priorities include public and employee safety, transportation reliability, and increasing public trust.

Throughout her tenure, Barger has advocated for regional transportation projects, playing a key role in initiatives such as the Foothill Gold Line extension, Metrolink Antelope Valley Line improvements, and system-wide safety enhancements.

With major international events approaching, including the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Barger underscored her commitment to delivering a reliable, world-class transportation network for residents and visitors.

Barger’s public service career spans decades, beginning as an intern in Supervisor Michael Antonovich’s office and progressing to chief deputy before her election to the Board of Supervisors in 2016.