Golden Gate Bridge Board Elects New President

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) -- Janet Reilly, a Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District board member and former candidate for San Francisco supervisor, was elected as the board president of the bridge district Friday.

Reilly has served as a member of the bridge district board since 2003, and is one of four members of the public appointed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to the 19-member body. One other member is appointed by the mayor, and four others are on the Board of Supervisors.

Reilly previously worked as a TV news anchor, served as an aide to former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, and was a public relations manager for Mervyns department stores. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and their two daughters.

In a statement released by the district today, Reilly said she was honored to serve as board president.

"I recognize and fully appreciate that we have some very difficult fiscal challenges ahead of us, but we will continue to thrive and provide our much needed bridge, bus, and ferry services," Reilly said.

Reilly also noted that a celebration is planned for the iconic bridge's 75th anniversary in May 2012.

In November, Reilly lost a close race for supervisor of San Francisco's District 2 to investment banker Mark Farrell.

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