Three executives have been added to the C-suite of Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) as General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker leads his team to improve overall customer experience.
The transit authority says the leadership additions come as MARTA prepares for a year of unprecedented growth and service expansion. The $2.7 billion More MARTA Atlanta program, approved in October 2018, marks the beginning of historic mobility improvements and transit infrastructure enhancements citywide.
As MARTA begins the largest expansion in decades, Frank Rucker, P.E., has been named chief of capital programs, expansion and innovation. Rucker worked on the multi-billion-dollar capital improvement program at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and brings almost 40 years of experience to MARTA.
Luz Borrero has been named chief administrative officer and previously served as deputy chief operating officer for DeKalb County and the city of Atlanta. MARTA says that Borrero brings a wealth of knowledge on two of the authority's most densely populated service areas, as well as experience in financial and executive management.
David Springstead has been promoted to chief of rail operations. Springstead has been with MARTA for more than 20 years and most recently served as the head of capital programs where he was responsible for overseeing the daily operation and maintenance of MARTA’s heavy and light-rail systems.
“My goal has always been to be purposeful about building a leadership team with the right experience to improve operations and expand MARTA’s footprint,” said Parker. “Ultimately, everyone in our organization must be fully committed to improving the overall customer experience and we now have the right people in place working with me to accomplish that.”
In addition to the C-suite appointments, MARTA has added and promoted other top executives recently.
MARTA Chief of System Safety, Security, and Emergency Management/Police Chief Wanda Y. Dunham was also recently elevated to the executive team, with expanded areas of responsibility including the Department of Safety and Quality Assurance and the Office of the Chief Information Security Officer in addition to her responsibility for Police and Emergency Management.
Melissa Mullinax, most recently with the city of Atlanta, joined MARTA in July as chief of staff, leading the Departments of External Affairs and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), among others. Since then, MARTA has also deepened its talent pool with the recent hiring of Assistant General Manager of External Affairs Virgil Fludd; Senior Director of Government & Community Affairs Colleen Kiernan and Senior Director of Transit-Oriented Development and Real Estate Jacob Vallo.
MARTA’s external affairs staff has been realigned to focus on existing regional partners while managing outreach efforts related to future system expansion. MARTA notes that its successful TOD program will continue to cultivate and create vibrant, live-work-play communities near rail stations in conjunction with private sector developers.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
