APTA Board of Directors Selects New President/CEO

In an unanimous vote yesterday, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Board of Directors named Michael P. Melaniphy to serve as its new President and Chief Executive Officer effective November 1, 2011. Melaniphy will replace William Millar, who is retiring after 15 years as APTA President.

Melaniphy's entire career has been in public transportation with 23 years of experience in the public and private sectors. Melaniphy, who is currently Vice President Public Sector for bus manufacturer Motor Coach Industries, Inc., of Schaumburg¸ IL., has led public transit systems in North Carolina, Kansas, Ohio, and Texas. (View Melaniphy's complete bio)

APTA Chair Michael J. Scanlon, who is General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of the San Mateo County Transit District in San Carlos, CA said, "Michael brings the ideal combination of tremendous energy and a proven track record in public transportation to lead the industry in these pivotal times. He not only understands -- but has firsthand experience of -- the critical role that public transportation plays in creating jobs and providing access to jobs necessary to move our economy forward."

"It is an honor and privilege to be named APTA president," said Melaniphy. "I believe fervently that public transportation is key to the economic vitality of our communities and our country. I am committed to working together with industry leaders, our stakeholders and elected officials so that we make the necessary transportation investments to grow our economy and ensure that Americans have access to quality public transportation."

The appointment is the culmination of an extensive search process by a 12-member task force of APTA members chaired by Gary Thomas, who is APTA Vice Chair and President/Executive Director of Dallas Area Rapid Transit. "The Presidential Selection Task Force unanimously recommended Michael Melaniphy to become APTA's next president because he is uniquely qualified to take our association to the next level," said Thomas.

William Millar, APTA's current President, called Melaniphy an excellent choice. "I am delighted that someone with such broad-based experience as Michael Melaniphy will be following me at APTA," he said.