TransLink today announced that Gigi Chen-Kuo will serve as the transit authority’s Interim Chief Executive Officer effective February 5, as the search for a permanent CEO takes place. Kevin Desmond announced in October that he was stepping down from the role after 5 years as TransLink CEO.

Chen-Kuo is currently TransLink’s General Counsel and Executive Vice-President of Corporate Services. In addition to serving as TransLink’s chief legal officer, Chen-Kuo is responsible for TransLink’s Enterprise Safety group, Business Technology Services and the Real Estate Division. She has been with TransLink since 1999.

“We’re pleased to name Gigi Chen-Kuo as TransLink’s Interim CEO,” says TransLink Board of Directors Chair Tony Gugliotta. “She has a great deal of experience in working with all elements of the TransLink enterprise, and that’s why she is the right person for this leadership role over the coming months. It’s important to have a seamless transition period as we are facing a number of key deadlines and projects in the first half of 2021 including preparing a new Investment Plan, continuing work on the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project and the T2050 long-term plan, and advancing ridership recovery.”

The search process for the next permanent TransLink CEO is underway and will be ongoing through the first half of 2021.