From Vision to Delivery: LA Metro’s Tim Lindholm on Building Transit That Lasts

On February 12, 2026, USC ITE had the honor of hosting Tim Lindholm, Chief Program Officer at LA Metro, for its first Speaker Series event of the semester. During the lecture, Mr. Lindholm shared his unconventional journey to Metro’s Program Management Department and the passion he brings to his role. After recapping the projects he worked on in 2025 (including the Rail to Rail Path in South LA, the LAX/Metro Transit Center, and the A Line extension to Pomona) he provided updates on his current initiatives: Section 1 of the D Line extension to La Cienega, preparations for the 2026 World Cup, and the LA28 Olympic Games. Through these insights, students gained a deeper appreciation for Metro’s ambition to expand and strengthen its transit network.

Using the LAX/Metro Transit Center (MTC) station as a case study, Mr. Lindholm walked students through what it takes to deliver a complex infrastructure project from inception to completion. Attendees were especially struck by the construction photos of the site, recognizing the immense time, funding, labor, and coordination required to bring such a project to life.

The evening continued with an engaging Q&A session that covered topics ranging from NIMBYism and the Sepulveda Transit Corridor to project management and decision-making. Finally, we concluded with a round of rapid-fire questions, during which Mr. Lindholm was challenged to respond to each prompt in just one sentence. Highlights included:

Q: Bus or rail?
A: I take the bus, but trains are my favorite.

Q: What city does Metro secretly envy?
A: None!

Q: How do you establish work-life balance?
A: Putting family first.

Q: What was the last trip you took outside LA?
A: San Francisco (though he’s certainly not jealous of their transit).

Q: What advice do you have for students?
A: Pursue what you are passionate about; only then will you find success and sustainability.

USC ITE was delighted to welcome Mr. Lindholm and sincerely thanks him for his time, insight, and generosity. As always, we also extend our gratitude to our members for attending and contributing thoughtful questions.