TSD Memphis

Special to the Atlanta Daily World

Former San Antonio transit system president Keith T. Parker has been selected by the MARTA Board as the next General Manager and Chief Executive Officer.
President/CEO of San Antonio's VIA since July 2009, Parker oversees all aspects of the region's primary transit system, which provides bus, streetcar and paratransit service daily for nearly 150,000 riders. Prior to San Antonio, Parker served as CEO for the Charlotte Area Transit System, or CATS. Parker joined CATS in 2000 as Chief Operating Officer where he was responsible for bus and paratransit operations and helped develop light-rail plans for the transit system.

Parker also served as the Assistant City Manager for the City of Charlotte from 2004 through 2007 where his portfolio included the police and fire departments, as well as Charlotte/Douglas Airport. Prior to his experience in North Carolina, Parker was the CEO for the Clark County Transit Authority in Vancouver, Washington and Deputy Director of the transit agency in Richmond, Virginia. Parker has a bachelor degree in political science, a master degree in urban and regional planning, and master of business administration. He is a certified urban planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

Parker was selected after a nationwide search conducted by the executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles. Dr. Beverly A. Scott, who has been MARTA's GM/CEO since 2007, informed the Board last year that she would not seek to renew her five-year contract.