Government Market News StaffMaine – Lea Duffy has been promoted to the city of South Portland’s economic development director. She most recently served as the city’s economic development specialist, a role held since September 2024. Her first day was April 28. She replaced William Mann in the role.
Ohio – Khaled Shammout has been promoted to deputy innovation and vision officer of Cincinnati Metro. Shammout has been with the agency for seven years, previously operating as its chief of strategic planning, development and innovation officer, vice president of strategic planning and development and director of transit development. He brings more than three decades of transit experience to the role.
Wyoming – The city of Cody has chosen Tony Tolstedt as its next city administrator. Tolstedt brings more than 18 years of management experience to the role. His first day will be June 2, 2025.
California – James Milliken has been named as the 22nd president of the University of California. He most recently served as chancellor of The University of Texas system for the past seven years. Milliken has also previously served as chancellor of the City University of New York, president of the University of Nebraska and senior vice president at the University of North Carolina. He will officially begin Aug. 1, 2025, succeeding Michael Drake.
Maine – The city of Ellsworth has welcomed Twila Fisher as its economic development director. Fisher brings more than two decades of experience in economic and community development to the role. She most recently worked as director of community and economic development at The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. She also worked for the city of Reading, Pennsylvania’s Department of Community Development.
Illinois – Brandon Ragle has been appointed as the permanent secretary for the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT). He has been serving as the acting secretary since March 21, 2025. Ragle has been with the Illinois state government since 2002, starting as a software engineer for the Department of Insurance. He eventually transitioned to serving as deputy chief. He most recently served as deputy secretary and deputy chief information officer. He replaced Sanjay Gupta in the role.
California – The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has selected Sam Sargent as its next director of strategy and transformation. Sargent brings more than 10 years of public transportation experience to the role. He most recently served as director of strategy and policy at Caltrain. Before moving to California, he worked for CapMetro in Austin for more than seven years. He held various roles with CapMetro, including director of government affairs, director of program strategy, deputy chief of staff and project manager.
New Hampshire – Terri Hood has been appointed as the city of Keene’s city clerk. She most recently served as the city’s deputy city clerk. Hood replaced Patty Little in the role.
Indiana – Stephanie Amos will take over as the interim chancellor for the Ivy Tech Community College’s Columbus Service Area. Amos has been with the college since 2011, most recently as vice chancellor of finance and administration. She previously worked as vice chancellor for strategic partnerships, vice chancellor of Franklin Campus and executive director of finance and operations. She brings two decades of leadership experience to the role. She will replace Dr. Steven Combs.
Washington – Sound Transit has appointed Dow Constantine as its next CEO. Constantine has been the King County executive since 2009. He also formerly served as a member of the King County Council and the Washington State Senate and House of Representatives. He has also been a member of the Sound Transit Board since 2006. He replaced Goran Sparrman on April 1, 2025.
California – Salvador Llamas has been appointed general manager and CEO of the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit). Llamas has been with AC Transit since 2012, starting as director of maintenance before transitioning to chief operating officer in 2017. He will officially replace interim General Manager Kathleen Kelly on May 15.
Minnesota – The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) has chosen Kelly Gerads to take over as director of reliever airports. Gerads was promoted from her most recent role as assistant director of reliever airports, a role she has held for the past 18 years. She has been with the commission for more than three decades.
