Kenmore Mayor David Baker, a longtime transportation and transit advocate, has been appointed to Sound Transit’s Board of Directors to represent the East King Subarea.

The Mayor’s four-year term begins this month. King County Executive Dow Constantine’s appointment of Mayor Baker was recently approved by the King County Council.

Mayor Baker is credited with being an influential force in organizing northern cities to support transit improvements on State Route 522.

“I am honored to be representing the transit interests of the East King Subarea and my city on the Sound Transit Board of Directors,” Baker said in a press release.

Under Mayor Baker’s and the City Council’s leadership, Kenmore has promoted transit use through signature investments such dedicated bus lanes, sidewalks and streetscape improvements on State Route 522 through the city, and enacted Transit Oriented Development regulations to encourage housing in areas close to regional transit routes.

“Smart transit solutions such as Bus Rapid Transit along the 522 Route corridor and additional parking near stations strengthen Kenmore’s future,” Baker said in a press release. “As our resident population continues to grow, the downtown Kenmore core expands and more businesses move into the city, comprehensive regional transit planning becomes even-more critical to our success as a region.”

In addition to his new Board position, the Mayor currently serves as President of the Sound Cities Association Board of Directors and has served as a member of the Regional Transit Committee, Eastside Transportation Partnership, and the SeaShore Transportation Forum.