The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has welcomed Fernando Dutra as a new member of its board of directors.

Dutra, a councilman for the city of Whittier, was sworn in on March 17 and replaced Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, who has left the 14-member board. Other recent additions to the board include County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, 2nd District, and Pomona Mayor Tim Sandoval, who joined in January.

Dutra has served the city of Whittier since joining the planning commission in 2006. He has long focused on transportation issues and has chaired the Metro Light Rail Extension Project Washington Boulevard Coalition.

The rest of the Metro Board is comprised of Mayor Eric Garcetti; Los Angeles County Supervisors Sheila Kuehl, Kathryn Barger, Hilda Solis and Janice Hahn; Los Angeles City Councilmen Mike Bonin and Paul Krekorian; Inglewood Mayor James Butts; Glendale City Councilman Ara Najarian; Los Angeles Mayoral appointee Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker; and Caltrans District 7 Director Tony Tavares. Members serve terms of four years. For information, visit metro.net.