Habib F. Balian

Habib F. Balian serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority, overseeing planning, funding and construction of the light rail line from Los Angeles to Montclair. Previous to his appointment as CEO, Habib served as the Chief Administrative Officer.

During his 16-year tenure with the Authority, he has overseen construction of the nearly 14- mile Los Angeles to Pasadena segment (a design-build program that came in on time and under budget); and is currently overseeing the planning, design and construction for the Pasadena to Azusa segment (completed on time & on-budget and put into service March 2016). Habib is also overseeing the necessary planning studies and advanced engineering to ready the segment from Glendora to Montclair for future construction.

In both his current and former capacity, Habib has led the agency’s successful communications strategy, promoting the project with elected officials and government agencies at all levels – which played an important role in improving relationships and securing funding for the Pasadena to Azusa project.

Before joining the Construction Authority, Habib was chief of staff for LA Metro - overseeing management of the Office of the CEO. His direct reporting departments were Management Audit Services, Planning and Environmental Reviews and Readiness of transit projects, Board Research Services, Government Relations, and Labor Relations.

Habib also spent seven years with the Board of Supervisors advising on transportation issues.

Habib holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations from the University of Southern California.