On Thursday, the Chicago Transit Board appointed Forrest Claypool as president of the Chicago Transit Authority.
Claypool joins the CTA from Rise Health, where he served as president since 2008. He has considerable experience in government, serving two terms as a commissioner on the Cook County Board, superintendent/CEO of the Chicago Park District, two-time chief of staff for Mayor Richard M. Daley, deputy state treasurer and deputy commissioner on the Cook County Board of Appeals.
“Forrest is a talented leader and a skilled manager who has extensive experience balancing budgets, finding efficiencies and making strategic capital investments,” said Chicago Transit Board Chairman Terry Peterson. “He also has earned a reputation as a careful steward of tax dollars so he will be extremely valuable as we evaluate the ways we perform core functions in order to deliver the best value for taxpayers.”
“I appreciate the support expressed by the Chicago Transit Board,” said Claypool. “The CTA is a vital resource for this region and it is important that we be innovative and find ways to improve the quality and efficiency of service despite the economic challenges.”
Claypool won national attention as head of the Chicago Park District, turning around a troubled $400 million agency with over 3,000 employees. As a Cook County Commissioner helping oversee the nation's second-largest public health care system, he championed a new model of care.
Claypool replaces Richard Rodriguez, who joined the agency in March 2009. His first day with the agency will be May 16. His annual salary has been set by the Chicago Transit Board at $198,000.