Pittsburgh-based Port Authority Allegheny County’s board of directors voted to hire Ellen McLean as CEO of the transit agency. McLean’s contract is effective February 1 and extends for three years, with options to extend the agreement for up to two additional years.
McLean currently is the interim CEO and previously served as the Authority’s chief finance officer.
“Ellen is the right person at the right time for Port Authority,” said Port Authority Chairman Bob Hurley. “Ellen’s financial expertise and ability to work collaboratively toward solutions has set her apart. It’s become abundantly clear over the past six months that she is the right person to lead Port Authority at this most critical time. We need a leader with sharp financial instincts to take full advantage of the public transportation funding approved last year by the State Legislature and Gov. Tom Corbett.”
McLean has successfully led the Authority through a challenging period that included the formation of a new board of directors under a change in state law, and change in CEO. During this time, McLean effectively worked with local and state officials to help ensure the success of a comprehensive transportation funding bill that directly benefits public transportation in Allegheny County.
McLean joined Port Authority in 2010 as its chief financial officer, overseeing financial planning, operating and capital budgets and other areas. Her previous experience includes serving for six years as chief financial officer of the City of Pittsburgh under Mayor Tom Murphy and later as managing director, infrastructure initiatives, for the Urban Land Institute in Washington, D.C.
McLean will be paid an annual salary of $215,000. The average CEO salary nationally for transit agencies of similar size is about $254,000, according to 2012 data from the American Public Transportation Association.
Pittsburgh Port Authority hires McLean as CEO
McLean currently is the Interim CEO and previously served as the Authority’s Chief Finance Officer.
More Bus

Pittsburgh Unveils 'Bus Line Refresh' Plan
Originally introduced in 2023 as the Bus Line Redesign, the effort has evolved into a more targeted update that maintains familiar routes while improving reliability, frequency, evening and weekend service, and connections across Allegheny County.
Read More →
Seattle's Sound Transit Breaks Ground on S3 Bus Line
S3 will connect communities along SR 522 with fast, reliable, battery-electric bus service from Shoreline South Station to Bothell via Kenmore and Lake Forest Park.
Read More →
Pittsburgh Regional Transit Announces All-Door Boarding on the University Line
All-door boarding will allow passengers to pay while entering the front, middle, or rear doors of the University Line’s 60-foot articulated buses.
Read More →
Complete Coach Works Names Patrick Scully President
He succeeds the company founder, Dale Carson, who remains chairman of the board.
Read More →
Atlanta's MARTA Sets Date for 'A-Line' BRT Launch
The five-mile Rapid A-Line connects Downtown Atlanta to Capitol Gateway, Summerhill, Peoplestown, and the Beltline’s Southside Trail.
Read More →
Ster Seating, Maryland Transit Launch First Parent/Child Transit Seat in North America
The configuration uses Ster Seating's Gemini seat platform to create a family-friendly floor layout specifically engineered to accommodate parents traveling with young children.
Read More →
Seattle’s Sound Transit Breaks Ground on New Transit Center
The Renton Transit Center project will relocate and rebuild the Renton Transit Center to better serve the regional Stride S1 line, local King County Metro services, and the future RapidRide I Line.
Read More →
New Rolling Stock Strategy Lead at New York MTA and More in People Movement
In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, NCTD, STV, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
Read More →
Chicago Region Transit Ridership Grows in 2025
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
Read More →
Seattle's King County Metro Introduces New Battery-Electric Buses
Rolling out in electric yellow and seafoam blue, the first battery-electric buses purchased from GILLIG will begin serving riders in south King County on February 2.
Read More →
