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Mayor-Elect Wilson Names John Henderson as Seattle DOT Chief

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Wednesday, December 17th 2025 at 20:03 GMT by Seattle Times

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Mayor‑Elect Wilson Announces New Transportation Chief and Keeps Two Key Staffers on Board

In a move that signals a strong emphasis on transit reform, Seattle’s newly elected mayor, Mike Wilson, revealed the full slate of her first major appointment: the department of transportation (DOT) chief will be John Henderson, a veteran of the city’s infrastructure program who has worked in public‑sector planning for over 25 years. Wilson also confirmed that two senior aides—Chief of Staff Lisa Reynolds and Deputy Mayor for Economic Development David Peters—will remain in their positions, bringing continuity to the incoming administration as it tackles the city’s most urgent challenges.

John Henderson: A New Leader with Deep Local Roots

Henderson, who has served as the DOT’s Deputy Administrator for the past four years, was announced on a Wednesday evening during a televised press conference at City Hall. In the statement, Wilson praised Henderson’s “long‑standing commitment to Seattle’s transit system, his collaborative style, and his track record of turning difficult projects into tangible progress.”

Henderson holds a Master’s in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Chicago. Before joining DOT, he was a senior planner with the Washington State Department of Transportation and oversaw the state’s largest bridge replacement projects. He has also taught transportation policy at Seattle University.

The new DOT chief will be responsible for overseeing the Department of Transportation’s 2,200‑person workforce, which manages everything from traffic signal timing to bike‑lane design. Henderson’s first task will be to accelerate the city’s high‑profile initiatives, including the expansion of the Link Light Rail system into the South Seattle corridor, the ongoing “Bike Seattle” infrastructure upgrades, and the rollout of autonomous vehicle pilot programs on selected arterial roads.

“The city’s transportation system has outlived the political will to keep it evolving,” Henderson said in a brief interview after the announcement. “I’m here to make sure we get the projects done—on time, on budget, and with community input.” He added that he would be focusing on three strategic priorities: reducing congestion on the I‑5 and I‑90 corridors, improving pedestrian and cyclist safety in the downtown core, and integrating data‑driven analytics into decision‑making processes.

Lisa Reynolds and David Peters: Stability Amid Change

While Henderson brings fresh energy to DOT, Wilson chose to retain Lisa Reynolds as her Chief of Staff, citing her “deep institutional knowledge and her ability to navigate complex stakeholder landscapes.” Reynolds has served the city for 12 years, most recently as a senior advisor in the Office of Economic Development, where she managed public‑private partnership projects that have generated millions in new revenue for the city.

Deputy Mayor David Peters will keep his role as the city’s liaison to the business community and a chief advocate for downtown revitalization. Peters was one of Wilson’s top campaign advisers on economic policy, and his continued presence is expected to smooth the transition for the business sector as the administration pursues new zoning reforms aimed at densifying the waterfront.

Context: Seattle’s Transportation Challenges

Washington’s largest city has long struggled to balance a rapidly growing population—estimated to rise by 25% over the next decade—with a transportation network that has struggled to keep pace. The Seattle Department of Transportation reports that the city’s major arteries are frequently congested, with average commute times hovering at 46 minutes in the last decade. Meanwhile, the city’s public transit system, comprised of buses and light rail, has been praised for its reliability but criticized for not reaching enough residents.

Mayor‑Elect Wilson’s campaign pledged a “mobility transformation plan” that calls for an ambitious expansion of transit options, a shift toward “complete streets” that prioritize pedestrians and cyclists, and the deployment of a citywide digital platform that aggregates real‑time traffic and transit data. She also emphasized the need for equitable transit, stating that the most marginalized communities—including the growing Latino population in South Seattle—must receive a fair share of new infrastructure.

The DOT’s new chief will therefore need to balance competing demands: pushing for bold expansions of the Link Light Rail and bus rapid transit while ensuring that projects are finished on schedule and within the city’s budget constraints. Henderson’s experience with statewide transportation projects will likely help the DOT navigate the complex financing and engineering hurdles that are expected to arise.

Looking Ahead

Wilson’s choice of Henderson, along with Reynolds and Peters, signals a deliberate attempt to blend experience with fresh ideas. Henderson’s background in engineering and planning dovetails with Wilson’s vision for data‑driven, equitable mobility, while Reynolds and Peters bring continuity and deep knowledge of the city’s bureaucratic machinery.

In a statement to the press, Wilson said, “Transportation is the backbone of Seattle’s future. With John Henderson at the helm of DOT and with a core team that knows the city’s needs, we’re ready to tackle the challenges that will shape how residents move, work, and live.”

The mayor’s appointment will take effect on Monday, with the first official meeting scheduled for the DOT’s board of directors later that week. As Seattle prepares to roll out its new mobility plan, residents and officials alike will be watching closely to see whether the city’s transportation system can finally meet the demands of a growing and diverse population.