The MTS Executive Committee nominated La Mesa City Councilmember Patricia Dillard, the only African American or women nominee, for the role of Board Chair after the position was vacated due to the resignation of Supervisor Nathan Fletcher. If elected Chair, Patricia Dillard would represent a fundamental change in leadership and bring a much needed focus on ensuring that MTS learns, reforms, and moves forward stronger than ever.
In a joint statement, San Diego Councilmember Vivian Moreno, and National City Councilmember Marcus Bush shared their strong support for Dillard:
"We are excited to support Patricia. MTS needs new and more diverse voices who can lead us through the challenges ahead. Patricia is a well-known, independent and temperate voice, who has a record of holding people accountable, building consensus, and developing policies that bring people together. We are confident that she is the voice that is needed right now on MTS.”
Councilmember Dillard reacted to the nomination:
“I’m honored to be asked by my fellow board members to be the next Chair of the Metropolitan Transit System Board of Directors. It is time for a more diverse set of voices and our smaller regional cities to lead MTS. If elected, I look forward to working with all my regional counterparts towards solutions that work for our entire region.”
Meeting minutes from the April 13th MTS Executive Committee meeting are not available online yet. The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Board of Directors will meet on Thursday, April 20th at 8:00am for their next regularly scheduled meeting, when a vote on the MTS Chair is anticipated.
About Councilmember Patricia Dillard
Councilmember Patirica Dillard has served as the only African American Councilmember on the La Mesa City Council since 2022. Prior to the City Council, Councilmember Dillard was the Vice Chair of the La Mesa Community Police Oversight Board. She retired after more than 40 years working in business development for large and small businesses including owning her own small business. Patricia has a Master’s degree in organizational leadership from Point Loma Nazarene University and Bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from National University.
