After months of insisting that he is focused on San Francisco and the SFMTA, Muni Chief Nat Ford has reached an agreement with the agency's Board of Directors to leave at the end of the month, Streetsblog has confirmed.
The story was first reported by Rachel Gordon in the San Francisco Chronicle this afternoon. According to Gordon:
Ford's negotiated severance package amounts to $384,000. That's one year of his base salary of $308,837 - the highest in the city - plus deferred compensation, a payout for unused vacation time and three extra months of health benefits for Ford and his family.
The SFMTA Board met with Ford several times over the last few months behind closed doors. Ford told the Chronicle that he is looking for a "smooth transition."
Ed Reiskin, the head of the San Francisco Department of Public Works, is widely rumored to be the favorite to replace Ford. If no one is named by the board by the end of this month, Carter Rohan, the agency's deputy director, will step into the role.
According to Gordon, Ford does not have a new job lined up.
Update: Here's the letter [pdf] from SFTMA Board Chair Tom Nolan announcing Ford's departure.
Updated: 6pm.
