A New Jersey transportation veteran will become Metro's interim general manager. Sources tell News4 that Richard Sarles, of NJ TRANSIT, is the pick to fill in when John Catoe resigns in April.
Metro's Board of Directors is expected to officially name Sarles Thursday. His appointment would last for six to 12 months. Sarles will take the helm as Metro struggles with major safety and financial concerns.
Sarles is a professional engineer who was appointed as executive director of NJ TRANSIT in 2007. Before that he worked with the transit agency's Capital Programs and Planning Department.
During his tenure at NJ TRANSIT, Sarles opened a light rail service in southern New Jersey and oversaw extensions of several light rail systems.
Prior to NJ TRANSIT, Sarles spent 20 years working in construction, project management and planning roles. He also served as an executive with Amtrak's northeast division.
Sarles holds a master's degree in Business Administration from Rutgers University and a bachelor's degree in Engineering from The Cooper Union.