14 Apr MARTA hires search firm to find new GM/CEO
MARTA’s board of directors has approved an approximately $250,000 contract for a search firm to find its next general manager and CEO.
Former General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker committed suicide in January, being struck by one of MARTA’s own trains. Collie Greenwood, the transit agency’s deputy general manager of operations and urban planning, is serving as the interim GM/CEO.
To find Parker’s successor the board approved a contract on April 14 with the executive search firm Krauthamer & Associates. The Maryland-based company’s work has included searches for New York City’s transit agency. MARTA attorney Peter Andrews said the firm will be paid a percentage of the future GM/CEO’s salary as a fee, which is estimated to be around $250,000.
While the contract was approved, it was presented with minimal detail and board member Rod Mullice said he was unable to vote on it for that reason. The contract had been reviewed by a board subcommittee earlier that day.
The board noted another transition — the surprise move by ex-officio member Chris Tomlinson to step down from his triple role as executive director of the Atlanta-Regional Transit Link Authority, the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, and the State Road and Tollway Authority. Tomlinson is moving to an undisclosed private job.
“Metro Atlanta is a special place. Georgia is a special place,” said Tomlinson in response to praise from some other board members. “There’s never a perfect time [to step down], but it is a really good time because I think we have a lot of alignment on where we’re going and where MARTA’s going.” He said that includes more dedicated funding and an unprecedented capital program.