Sound Transit announces executive appointments

Sound Transit has made three appointments to its executive leadership team this month.

Jessyn Farrell joined the Seattle-area agency on Feb. 9 as executive director of government and community relations. Farrell leads the agency's legislative engagement and partnership strategies with local, state and federal stakeholders, Sound Transit officials said in a press release. Most recently, Farrell was Seattle's deputy mayor.

Also on Feb. 9, Marshall Foster joined Sound Transit as chief planning and development officer. He leads a newly established office for the agency, Sound Transit officials said. Foster has more than 25 years of experience in project planning and development, including over 18 years with the city of Seattle, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Meanwhile, Brooke Belman will return to Sound Transit on Feb. 23 as deputy CEO. Belman is a former Sound Transit leader with nearly 20 years of experience at the agency, including as interim CEO and deputy CEO of system expansion, under which she led development of the agency's first equitable transit-oriented development policy. She left Sound Transit in January 2024 and has since worked for a consulting firm and the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections, according to her LinkedIn profile. In her new role, Belman will support Sound Transit's strategic planning, co-lead the senior leadership team and build relationships with the Federal Transit Administration, Sound Transit officials said.

The hirings are made as Sound Transit prepares for the completion of major light-rail extensions and an influx in traffic during the six FIFA World Cup 2026 matches being held in Seattle this summer. Sound Transit operates the Link light-rail system, Sounder commuter-rail service and buses.

"These leadership additions equip the agency to seize the moment and deliver transformational transit investments that will benefit generations to come," said Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine.