Seattle Mayor Durkan announces nominee for new SDOT director

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan announced her nominee for the Seattle Department of Transportation’s new Director in a Tuesday press conference.

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Durkan’s nominee is Sam Zimbabwe, currently serving as the Chief Project Delivery Officer for the District Department of Transportation for Washington, D.C.

Zimbabwe has held that position since 2014. He has a master’s degree in city planning and urban design from the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional studies from Cornell University.

Appropriately, one of the Zimbabwe’s major projects had him overseeing a project to increase the number of dockless scooters and bikeshares in Washington, D.C. This seems especially relevant given the rise of Lime, Uber JUMP, and Lyft bikeshares in Seattle.

“We’re taking a really important step today on the next generation of transit in Seattle,” said Mayor Durkan.

Shortly after Durkan’s announcement, Zimbabwe took the podium.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to help keep Seattle moving, build a transit and transportation system for the next generation, and deliver on projects for the people of Seattle,” he said.

Durkan’s own praise for Zimbabwe was effusive.

For decades, our region has been playing catch-up on its transportation needs. As more public and private mega projects lead to serious traffic disruptions downtown, the next few years will be critical for creating more safe, efficient, and well-connected transportation choices that make it easier and safer for residents to get around on foot, by bike, and via mass transit for decades to come. With a number of significant projects in the pipeline, I am confident Sam is ready to deliver on investments that will help us create a city of the future.

Next, Zimbabwe’s nomination will go before Seattle City Council for final approval.

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