Foothill Gold Line Board Strengthens Leadership for Future Development in 2026

At their January 2026 meeting, the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority Board has reaffirmed its leadership with the re-election of Claremont Vice Mayor Ed Reece as Chair and Glendora Council Member Mendell Thompson as Vice Chair. Both leaders bring invaluable experience and stability to a critical phase of development for the agency.

Chair Reece will serve a fourth consecutive year while Vice Chair Thompson enters his third year in the role. This unanimous decision reflects the trust and confidence the board members have in their leadership as the agency embarks on significant expansions, notably the 2.3-mile Claremont Extension, which will bridge Pomona to Claremont.

Reece emphasized the importance of this juncture for the Construction Authority, stating, “This is a critical time as we begin the final design work and prepare to hire the contractor for the next project segment that will introduce light rail service to Claremont.” With the progress already made—23 of the 25 planned stations from Los Angeles to Montclair are operational—Reece and Thompson are committed to advancing towards the completion of the Claremont and Montclair stations in the coming years.

During their tenure, both Reece and Thompson have demonstrated exceptional leadership, overseeing the timely and on-budget completion of the Glendora to Pomona project, developed even amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency secured a substantial funding commitment of $798 million from LA Metro to facilitate the Claremont Extension, showcasing their capability in bringing important transit projects to fruition.

As Reece pointed out, “I, along with Vice Chair Thompson, want to express our gratitude to our colleagues on the board for their consistent support, not only for our leadership but for our shared vision of enhancing regional transit options. This initiative stands to increase mobility, improve quality of life, and offer environmental benefits for the millions who travel through this corridor daily.”

The Foothill Gold Line board comprises elected and appointed representatives from various municipalities along the project's route. Besides Reece and Thompson, the board also includes prominent figures such as Pomona Mayor Tim Sandoval, La Verne Mayor Tim Hepburn, Montclair Mayor John Dutrey, Pasadena Council Member Gene Masuda, and South Pasadena representative Dan Evans.

The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority was established in 1998 by California's State Legislature as an independent agency tasked with planning, designing, and constructing the Metro A Line system stretching from Union Station to Claremont (later extended to Montclair). Over the past 26 years, the agency has realized significant milestones, having successfully completed more than 34 miles of light rail and 23 stations across three construction segments, including:

1. Union Station to Pasadena in 2003
2. Pasadena to Azusa in 2015
3. Glendora to Pomona in 2025

Each project segment was completed on schedule and within budget, underscoring the agency's efficiency and commitment to excellence. The next phase, a 3.3-mile segment from Pomona to Montclair, is set to include two new stations at Claremont and Montclair, and has received $798 million from SB125 funding for its final design and engineering processes.

With the renewed leadership under Reece and Thompson, the Foothill Gold Line is poised for a successful continuation of its mission to improve transit across the region, demonstrating how targeted vision and diligent governance can result in transformative initiatives for community connectivity.