Sound Transit board denies CEO annual bonus for management style

Sound Transit’s board has denied its chief executive officer his potential  performance bonus of $31,290  after criticism for an “abrupt” and “direct” management style, according to the Daily Herald. Rogoff will get a 5 percent annual inflation raise, to a total $328,545 in 2018.

Relief from expensive car-tab fees inches closer to reality

While several members commended his role in expanding light rail across the region, most board members approved a motion that would require CEO Peter Rogoff to improve his demeanor and staff relationships. An attorney found instances were Rogoff used offensive language and made staff feel threatened, according to the Herald.

“Although he can be brusque and forceful, he can be effective,” Snohomish County Executive and Sound Transit chairman Dave Somers told the Daily Herald.

The board voted 11-2 on a plan to address Rogoff’s behavior, according to the Herald. Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and Seattle Councilman Rob Johnson were the two no votes. Durkan’s office said on Thursday that she does not see the strategy proposed as a resolution.

Durkan released a statement:

“The issues raised and on which we were briefed led me to believe the conclusion that these [performance] factors cannot be met, and so I will be voting against this motion. I think the facts that we have been briefed on and the conclusions reached by our Counsel demonstrate that Sound Transit is not felt to be a safe workplace for all employees, that they do not feel that they can act without repercussions, and that there are many who feel that their work is not valued. I am also concerned that the statements that were alleged to have been made by the CEO, and the actions that were raised – raised the issue of racial bias and insensitivity, as well as other workplace harassment issues. I do not believe that these issues have been resolved as completely as indicated by Counsel, and that having three Board Members oversee the daily work of this CEO is not the resolution, and so I will be voting against this motion.”

According to the Herald, Rogoff’s contract is expected to expire in January 2019. He was hired at a base salary of $298,000 with a 5 percent increase each year.

Sound Transit CEO says voters’ approval is ‘personal sacrifice’

Rogoff released a statement on Thursday. In it, Rogoff pointed out that his recent performance review process also included some of the concerns form the first five months he worked for Sound Transit in 2016. He said an employee survey and meeting with the board chair and two vice chairs in June 2016 were wake up calls. Since then, he “obtained a Seattle executive coach” and made changes.

“Since that meeting 21 months ago in June of 2016, I have worked aggressively, and I believe, successfully, to re-tool my workplace demeanor. I’m grateful to the then-chair and vice chairs for their quick and productive response, their support for hiring the executive coach, and their desire to address this issue 21 months ago so that these initial missteps could be corrected rapidly. Since that time, I continue to seek and respond to feedback from staff members and others.”

The missed bonus comes at a time when Sound Transit is under fire for an outdated formula to calculate car tab fees to help cover a $54 billion voter approved light rail expansion. Senate Bill 5955 passed on Thursday to require car tabs to be calculated using what supporters say is a more accurate motor vehicle valuation system.  It now moves on to the House.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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