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.