Over the past fifteen years, Commuter Challenge has worked hard and successfully to reduce the number of cars in rush hour traffic. During that time, the region has undergone some dramatic changes, including significant population growth, an economic boom and bust, the Commute Trip Reduction law, and a gradual acceptance of the need to find more efficient ways to get to work. Now the organization is reassessing its mission and programs, to ensure that it’s responding to today’s—and tomorrow’s—needs.

“This is a good time for us to step back and do some planning,” said Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s Alice Collingwood, longtime board member and vice chair. “We have a new chair, we’ve just hired a new director, and we’ve finished a survey of a lot of the companies we work with. We want to make sure that what we offer will continue to make a difference.”

The new chair is John Powers, incoming president of the Economic Development Council of Seattle & King County and former mayor of Spokane, where transportation was one of his administration’s priorities. “An efficient, well-functioning transportation system is critical to business productivity,” noted Powers. “Clearly we have some common interests.”

Steve Gerritson, the new director, is an experienced non-profit manager with a focus on transportation, air quality, and strategic planning. “One of the reasons we hired Steve was his experience in strategic planning with environmental groups,” said Dave Lantry, a board member from King County Metro. “We know we’re going to have to do that here.”

At its April meeting, the board reviewed a draft proposal that recommended moving from a King County to a regional focus, since both the problem and many of the systems now in place cross county lines. It also suggested more intensive work with smaller companies not covered by CTR, a coordinating and collaborating role with area TMAs, jurisdictions and other local groups, presentation of workshops and publications, and closer cooperation with planners and service providers on big-picture issues. The Diamond Awards recognition program and advocacy efforts will be updated and kept in place.

“The board plans to capitalize on the historical strength of this non-profit organization to bring business and government together to create transportation solutions that work,” Gerritson said. “We’ll keep what produces results and is valued, but expand our focus in new niches where the Commuter Challenge partnership and staff would be uniquely effective.”

“We’ll be developing and implementing the new programs over the next few months,” he added. “This should take us to the next level.”

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