Houston Mayor John Whitmire has taken a pivotal step in transforming the city's transit system by nominating Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock to be the next Board Chair of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston METRO), now officially with the green light from the City Council and METRO's board. With this historic nomination, Brock became the first Hispanic woman to helm Texas's largest transit entity, which boasts an expansive 1,309-square-mile coverage area and a significant $1.6 billion yearly budget.

Whitmire expressed confidence in Brock's ability to prioritize customers and deliver a reliable and safe public transportation system. "Elizabeth's results-driven approach and her keen understanding of the community's needs are exactly what METRO requires to progress. She is fully committed to enhancing the transit experience for Houstonian and aligns perfectly with our commitment to broaden mobility options across the city," stated Whitmire.

Brock's extensive experience in utility infrastructure planning and policy as Vice President at CenterPoint Energy, combined with her successful track record in customer service, business growth, and community initiatives across six states and over 100 cities, positions her as an ideal candidate for the role. Her prior leadership roles at Reliant Energy, Texas Southern University, and the University of Houston, where she earned her political science degree, have prepared her well for this challenge.

Embracing the responsibility, Brock said, "I'm honored by Mayor Whitmire's trust in me to lead METRO and to be the first Hispanic woman in this capacity reflects the mayor's vision for an inclusive, experienced, and diverse leadership. Working in tandem with the mayor, the METRO Board, and other government levels, I'm dedicated to evolving METRO into a paragon of transit excellence, focusing on accountability, transparency, and direct engagement with our customers to tailor a public transit system that's accessible, clean, and a preferred choice for all."

A seasoned member of Houston's civic and business communities, Brock has contributed her expertise to the Houston First Corporation Board since 2017 and was a key figure in Evolve Houston, promoting better air quality through the adoption of electric vehicles. Her past leadership includes chairing the Greater Houston Area Women's Chamber in 2019 and actively participating in the Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas.

Brock succeeded Sanjay Ramabhadran, whose tenure as Chair of METRO has concluded. Mayor Whitmire extends his gratitude to Ramabhadran for his valuable contributions to Houston's community.

This strategic appointment signals a new chapter for Houston METRO, as it steers towards a future of innovative, customer-focused, and sustainable transit solutions under Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock's guidance.