SPRINGFIELD – Lane Transit District’s Board of Directors is embracing a new chapter with a recent update to its longstanding board members.
Susan Cox was elected LTD’s board president during LTD’s June meeting. She previously served as the board’s vice president. Representing Southwest Eugene, Fern Ridge, and Veneta, Cox is filling the position vacated by Gino Grimaldi, who now serves as a board member.
Board members are appointed by the governor of Oregon and confirmed by the Oregon State Senate. Cox was appointed by Gov. Kate Brown.
A Director’s term is four years, and members can be reappointed for a second term. All members are volunteers, taking on responsibilities within their established districts, along with other outside roles.
Michelle Webber was elected to take Cox’s previous spot as VP. She has served on the board for four years, representing West Springfield and North Eugene. Webber brings local leadership experience to her new position, while also maintaining her role as a Springfield City Councilor.
Grimaldi represents East Springfield to the McKenzie Bridge area. He was appointed to LTD’s board of directors in 2022. Before that, he served as Springfield’s City Manager for 15 years and spent 12 years as the assistant city manager. In 2019, Grimaldi was named Distinguished Citizen by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. His term as board president will expire at the end of this year; however, according to Katz, he could have served another two-year term as president.
“He decided to stay on as a board member, but believes leadership positions should rotate amongst the board,” Katz said.
Phyllis Loobey was LTD’s first female general manager in 1979. She held the position for 21 years.
“We joke about it internally, but there’s a desire for team t-shirts that say, ‘What Would Phyllis Loobey Do?’” said Anni Katz, LTD public information officer. “No one before or since has held the position for that long, and she was beloved … LTD has a long history of strong leaders, some female and some male. We’re proud of all of them,” she said.
