SANDAG wrestles over CEO search; FBI investigation

The embattled agency tackles the search for a permanent CEO; FBI opens investigation although the scope remains unknown

SANDAG interim CEO Coleen Clementson speaks during the March 29 Board of Directors meeting regarding the results of an internal investigation into the failures of the State Route 125 toll system. During the April 12 meeting, the board spent at least five hours discussing the search for a permanent CEO. Courtesy image

COUNTY — A new battle over the selection of the new chief executive officer for the San Diego Association of Governments is brewing.

The SANDAG Board of Directors met for more than five hours in closed session on Friday to review three finalists for the job. In public session, though, there was no reportable action from the board regarding the CEO search.

The open position is the result of former CEO Hasan Ikhrata resigning on Dec. 31, 2023, and appointing Deputy CEO Coleen Clementson as the interim CEO.

Although Friday’s meeting last about 30 minutes in public, the board was sequestered in closed session for about five hours discussing the candidates. Details of those discussions remain confidential.