SFMTA Appoints Leo Levenson as Chief Financial Officer

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) today announced the appointment of Leo Levenson as the SFMTA’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Levenson will be responsible for the overall direction and management of the agency’s $1.2 billion operating budget, as well as the $500 million capital budget.

“Leo brings strong experience in guiding large agencies through budget issues and operations,” said Ed Reiskin, SFMTA’s Director of Transportation. “I look forward to working with him as we continue to invest in and improve San Francisco’s transportation network.”

Linda Gerull, the City’s CIO and Executive Director of the Department of Technology said: “Leo’s strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills will serve him well at the SFMTA. He also has a passion for public transportation and is a strong believer in public access and use of the transportation and transit systems.”

Levenson joins SFMTA as the deputy director, finance and administration and CFO of the City and County of San Francisco’s Department of Technology. Leo has served in a variety of other City financial leadership positions with the San Francisco Controller’s Office (citywide budget and analysis director), and the San Francisco Human Services Agency (finance director) and served as the Controller’s appointee to the San Francisco Retiree Health Care Trust Fund Board. Prior to joining the City, Leo worked for the Federal Emergency Management Agency on natural disaster hazard mitigation programs and for the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Levenson will transition into his new role as Sonali Bose, the current SFMTA CFO, will retire this week. 

“Sonali oversaw SFMTA’s finances with a legendary passion to improve transportation,” said Reiskin. “Her drive, influence, and candor helped this agency achieve key policy goals, secure much-needed funding, and launch forward-thinking programs that benefit people getting around this city.”

Besides ensuring the SFMTA’s budget was always responsible and balanced, some of Bose’s other accomplishments include:

• Helped achieve the highest credit rating of any public transit agency revenue bond in the country;
• Helped increase Muni service by more than 10 percent, providing the most Muni service ever;
• Helped ensure funding for the replacement and expansion of the Muni bus and train fleet;
• SFpark, the demand-responsive parking pricing pilot launched under her direction;
• Launched new parking meters that accept credit cards;
• Launched PayByPhone, an app to pay for parking a meters;
• Fund Free Muni for Low-income youth, seniors and disabled riders;
• Launched MuniMobile, an app to pay for Muni with a smartphone;
• Increased advertising revenue from $400k to about $30 million; and
• Launched the Clipper card for Muni riders.