MARTA names Collie Greenwood as sole finalist for role of GM/CEO
Collie Greenwood may soon hang up the “interim” part of the title interim general manager and chief executive officer of Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) following the MARTA Board of Directors’ GM/CEO Search Committee advancing Greenwood as the sole finalists to fill the role permanently.
Krauthamer & Associates led a nationwide search for a new executive and recommended 11 candidates to the search committee, which interviewed five of the candidates before making the decision that Greenwood was the best fit for the authority.
The GM/CEO Search Committee will bring Greenwood’s nomination to the full MARTA Board in a specially called meeting later this month. State law requires a 14-day waiting period before the MARTA Board of Directors can vote to confirm his selection and extend an official offer of employment.
Greenwood’s 35-year transit career started as a bus operator before he moved to management and up to executive leadership at agencies in Canada and the U.S. He served as chief service officer with the Toronto Transit Commission, where he oversaw bus, rail, accessible transit, station services, transit security and a structured maintenance program for all modes.
In July 2019, Greenwood joined MARTA as chief of bus operations and urban planning. In January 2021, Greenwood was named deputy general manager of operations where he oversaw all bus and rail operations and helped develop and deliver major capital projects aimed at enhancing the customer experience, including the largest in MARTA’s history, the procurement of new railcars and the addition of electric buses to MARTA’s fleet.
In January 2022, Greenwood was named interim GM/CEO following the unexpected death of Jeffrey Parker. At the time of his appointment to interim GM/CEO, the MARTA Board made note of Greenwood’s central role in MARTA’s expansion phase and said he would ensure “continuity of our shared vision.”
During his 10 months as interim GM/CEO, Greenwood has led MARTA through the adoption of a balanced budget, advancements in bus rapid transit projects and transit-oriented developments, as well as the launch of the authority’s on-demand transit pilot program, MARTA Reach.
“Since arriving at MARTA, Collie has shown a tremendous knowledge of transit and capacity for leadership and innovation, while always keeping the customer front and center,” said MARTA Board Chair Rita Scott. “His rapid promotion to second-in-command demonstrated his ability to do the job well, and his steady, skilled leadership this year has further demonstrated that he is the best person to lead us as we navigate a post-pandemic world and embark on an historic enhancement and expansion program.”
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.
