The San Diego Association of Governments Board of Directors unanimously approved the appointment of SANDAG’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer Coleen Clementson, to lead the regional agency as the interim CEO on Dec. 8. Clementson will begin serving as interim CEO in January 2024. The current CEO, Hasan Ikhrata, has led SANDAG since 2018, and his last day is December 29.
As Deputy CEO, Clementson has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the San Diego region. Her work involves overseeing community engagement, an $800 million capital improvement program, and the implementation of the Regional Plan. Clementson is a known expert and leader in the public and transportation planning sector. She has been a driving force behind numerous largescale initiatives and neighborhood projects, proving her deep commitment to improving the quality of life for all people in the region, said SANDAG Associate Public Information officer Stacy Garcia in a press release.
“I am thrilled that there was unanimous support for Ms. Clementson to serve as our interim CEO,” said SANDAG and San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas. “With so many projects in the pipeline, she is exactly the leader we need to hit the ground running. Ms. Clementson understands SANDAG and the needs of our communities. She is committed to carrying out our vision to empower and uplift community members through investments in our region’s infrastructure that help people get to the places that matter most.”
