Washington to Lead L.A. Metro

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who also serves as chairman of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, on Thursday announced the Metro board has appointed Phillip Washington to be the transit agency’s next chief executive. Washington was most recently the chief executive of Denver’s Regional Transportation District, a position he has held since 2009. Current Metro chief Art Leahy will step down in April.

General Finance Corp. Postpones Public Offering

Pasadena’s General Finance Corp. on Thursday announced it would postpone a planned secondary offering of 4,400,000 shares of common stock. The company, which leases portable buildings and storage tanks, postponed the offering because of “unfavorable market conditions,” according to President and Chief Executive Ronald Valenta. Shares of General Finance had fallen 11 percent through this week’s first three trading days. Shares rebounded Thursday, rising about 7 percent to close at $8.23.