Created in the late 1980s, LINK was designed to encourage use of public transportation by employees who worked in the offices and retail stores at Reston Town Center. Partly due to the efforts of LINK, Reston Town Center became what it is today.
Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) invited Karl Ingebritsen, LINK’s first director, to appear before the Board of Supervisors to be recognized for his service to the community. Speaking at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday, Jan. 24, Hudgins said, “Under the leadership and direction of Karl Ingebritsen, LINK has continued to play a pivotal role in the successful development of the Reston Town Center.” Ingebritsen is not alone in retiring, his long time assistant, Sue Bethke, decided to retire from LINK as well.
Ingebritsen said he had contemplated retirement for some time. He said he considered LINK a great success, and added the organization made great progress. A marketing arm to the bus service, as described by Ingebritsen, LINK helped increase the number of regular riders from 5,000 to 15,000. As successes of the organization, Ingebritsen cited the establishment of a Web site, www.linkinfo.org, lobbying for funds to build the Reston East park and ride lot, and securing an off peak hours bus service to West Falls Church Metro station.