Governor appoints new members to Transportation Commission

Camas resident Matt Ransom serves as the executive director of the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council

OLYMPIA – Gov. Bob Ferguson has named Matt Ransom of Camas and Gael Tarleton of Seattle to the Washington State Transportation Commission, filling two open seats reserved for representatives west of the Cascade Mountains. Their terms began on Oct. 17 and continue until June 30, 2031.

Matt Ransom

Ransom serves as the executive director of the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council and brings more than 25 years of experience in local and regional government. He has overseen projects and initiatives for the city of Vancouver and C-TRAN, the transit service provider in southwest Washington. In his current role, he collaborates with local governments and transportation agencies across southwest Washington and bi-state partners in Oregon to plan and fund regional transportation priorities. Ransom previously served eight years on the state Commute Trip Reduction Board upon appointment by then-Gov. Christine Gregoire, and on other regional economic development and local government commissions.

As a resident of a region that depends on strong cross-state connections, Ransom said he looks forward to contributing his regional perspective to statewide discussions. “As a state, we face critical decisions about maintaining and evolving our multimodal transportation network,” Ransom said. “We must balance past investments with innovative, forward-thinking strategies that ensure resilience and sustainable growth.”

Gael Tarleton

Tarleton is a former state legislator and Port of Seattle commissioner who has also held leadership roles with the city of Seattle, University of Washington and the federal government. In the Legislature, she served as chair of the House Finance Committee, vice chair of the House Technology & Economic Development Committee and on the House Transportation Committee. She helped establish the Aviation Legislative Caucus and co-authored legislation creating the Northwest Seaport Alliance. As port commissioner, she partnered with state transportation officials on the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement and championed investment in transportation infrastructure.

“The commission works with state agencies and lawmakers to ensure that no single part of our transportation system fails.” Tarleton said. “I look forward to using my decades of experience as an elected official to advocate for a reliable and safe transportation network that supports our trade-dependent economy and serves the public.”

Ransom replaces Commissioner Roy Jennings of Clark County, who served 11 years on the commission. Tarleton replaces Commissioner Shiv Batra of King County, who served nine years. Both of their terms expired on June 30, 2025.

The Washington State Transportation Commission provides guidance to lawmakers and the governor on transportation policy and serves as the state’s tolling authority, setting toll rates and ferry fares. Every four years, commissioners update the Washington Transportation Plan, which guides transportation decisions and investments statewide. By law, the commission is composed of four members from west of the Cascade Mountains and three from the east.

To learn more, visit the commission website, wstc.wa.gov