The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Board of Directors today elected Harry Mathis, Jr. to succeed Leon Williams as its chairman. Mr. Mathis’ four-year term begins on January 1, 2006.
Mathis becomes the seventh person to serve as chairman since the agency was formed in 1976. “Mr. Mathis is a great and longtime advocate of public transportation and MTS will be extremely well served by his leadership.” said Chairman Williams.
From 1993 to 2000, Mathis was a City of San Diego Councilman representing District One. As Councilmember and later Deputy Mayor, he served on numerous committees, including those concerning public transportation, commuter rail, and traffic demand management. In 1994, the City appointed him to serve as a Board Member for the Metropolitan Transit System. Mr. Mathis also became a Board Member for the San Diego Trolley and served as Chair of its Board of Directors from 1995 to 2003. At that time he became an ex-officio member of the MTS Board and Executive Committee and continued until October 2005.
Mr. Mathis retired as a Captain from the U.S. Navy in 1981. He has lived in University City for 35 years. He is married with two children and four grandchildren.
Williams, who has been chairman since 1994 and on the Board of Directors since its inception in 1976, is retiring to travel and enjoy time with his family.
