People on the move: GDC, CTA, Sound Transit, New Orleans RTA, APTA, NCTD

The Gateway Development Commission (GDC), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Sound Transit, New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA), American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and North County Transit District (NCTD) have each made new appointments to their respective leadership teams.

GDC 

The GDC has appointed Thomas “Tom” Prendergast as its CEO. Prendergast has developed his skills in managing large rail infrastructure throughout his career serving as president, chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA); president of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and CEO of the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink). 

Prendergast currently works with AECOM, overseeing design and consulting services across all business lines in New York and New Jersey, including transportation, water and wastewater, environment, power and buildings and places. 

“Over the past year, we have moved from planning the [Hudson Tunnel Project] to building the nation’s most urgent rail infrastructure project,” said New York GDC Commissioner and Co-Chair Alicia Glen, New Jersey GDC Commissioner and Co-Chair Balpreet Grewal Virk and GDC Amtrak Commissioner and Vice Chair Tony Coscia in a joint statement. “We are thrilled that Tom Prendergast will be at the helm of GDC’s operations as we continue to advance the construction projects that are already in progress and move forward with tunnel boring and trackway construction. The region, and the nation, need the Hudson Tunnel Project now more than ever and Tom’s deep experience delivering complex infrastructure projects in New York and New Jersey, including his decades of work focused on rail mass transit in the region, position him perfectly to lead us through the next phases of this critical project.”

“A modern rail system that ensures fast, reliable service for commuters and travelers is the foundation for strong and sustained economic growth,” Prendergast said. “As someone who has spent much of my career working to improve rail mass transit for residents of New York and New Jersey, I understand the urgent need for the Hudson Tunnel Project, and I am committed to making sure it is built on time and on budget. I thank the GDC Commissioners, Governors [Kathy] Hochul and [Phil] Murphy, Minority Leader [Chuck] Schumer and our congressional champions for trusting me to carry this project forward. I look forward to working closely with all of our partners in Washington, New Jersey and New York to deliver the most urgent infrastructure project in the nation.” 

The GDC says it is poised to take significant steps forward under Prendergast’s leadership. 

CTA 

CTA Chief of Staff Nora Leerhsen has become the first woman to lead the CTA after being named acting CTA president by the agency’s board. Leerhsen will take over as acting president of the transit agency when current President Dorval Carter Jr. retires at the end of the month after 40 years of service in public transportation. Carter will be leaving the CTA to become the head of St. Anthony Hospital in North Lawndale, Ill. 

Leerhsen first joined the CTA in 2014 and has served in various roles prior to becoming chief of staff in 2018. She previously served as senior advisor to the chief of staff/chief operating officer and deputy chief of staff. She has also worked in the safety and law departments on agencywide audits, ethics matters and safety compliance. 

As chief of staff, Leerhsen oversaw all aspects of CTA’s operations, including service delivery, capital planning, employee programming and communications strategy. She represented CTA’s president at board meetings, during legislative engagements and to the mayor’s office of emergency management and policymaking initiatives. She has also served as primary liaison with the mayor’s office, the Chicago Transit Board, city departments and agencies and Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and service boards. 

Leerhsen holds a law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a master's degree in social science from the University of Chicago, a master's degree in education from Chestnut Hill College and a Bachelor's degree from George Washington University. 

“I look forward to serving our riders and employees in this new role,” Leerhsen said. “This is a critical time for our agency and for the future of public transit. As acting president, I will build on our accomplishments as an agency and am confident that we are up to the task of carrying CTA successfully through this transition.” 

Sound Transit

Sound Transit has appointed Nadia Anderson, Ph.D., as chief strategy officer, a new position created to guide the agency’s approach to the technological, environmental and economic future of the region. Sound Transit says that Anderson has joined at a time of growing momentum for the agency, which is continuing to build on three recent light rail openings as part of the largest expansion of transit service in the United States. 

“Nadia is an innovative, mission-driven leader who truly understands the key role that transit plays in our region,” said Sound Transit Interim CEO Goran Sparrman. “She brings a depth of experience and a record of results that make her the right leader to lead our strategic planning, innovation and policy teams into a new and dynamic future.” 

In her role, Anderson will oversee the government and community relations; communications, marketing and engagement; board administration; and ORCA ROOT teams. She will also oversee two new divisions: innovation and transformation and strategic planning, policy and programs. 

Anderson had previously served as the chief of staff and senior vice president of policy strategy and operations at the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. Her professional experience spans all levels of government, both domestic and international and her resume includes major corporations like Uber, AAA (American Automobile Association) and Cruise, the General Motors majority-owned fully electric self-driving car company. 

Anderson holds a doctorate in urban affairs and public policy from the University of Delaware and is also a graduate of Virginia State University and the University of Virginia. 

NORTA 

Veteran transportation official Brian Marshall has been named NORTA’s chief transit officer, overseeing operations of the agency’s fixed-route bus, streetcar, marine and paratransit services. 

Marshall’s transit experience includes operational leadership with the Chicago Transit Authority before leading the Capital Area Transit System, where he not only successfully led efforts to increase taxpayer funding but also oversaw increases in on-time performance for its paratransit services. Marshall also has transit experience in Fresno, Calif.; Ann Arbor, Mich., and most recently in South Bend, Ind. 

APTA 

APTA has brought on Taria Barron to serve as general counsel. Barron, who brings two decades of transportation and public sector legal expertise to the organization, comes to APTA from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation where she served as attorney-advisor in the general law and ethics division. 

She has also served in progressive roles within the Federal Aviation Administration’s office of the chief counsel for 10 consecutive years. Her career includes a two-year fellowship with the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation in Tokyo, Japan, where she fostered U.S.-Japan cooperation on transportation initiatives. 

“Taria brings a wealth of legal expertise and leadership experience that will be instrumental in advancing APTA’s mission,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “Her deep understanding of transportation law and policy will help guide our organization through today’s evolving regulatory landscape.” 

“I am honored to join APTA and contribute to its mission of promoting and advancing public transportation,” Barron said. “I look forward to working alongside APTA’s talented team to support our members and strengthen public transportation across America.” 

Barron holds a Juris Doctor degree from George Washington University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Vanderbilt University. 

NCTD 

NCTD has hired Adrienne Johnson to serve as the agency’s human resources director, effective Jan. 6, 2025. 
 
In this role, Johnson will be responsible for managing and overseeing day-to-day operations, including employee relations, recruitment, labor relations, organizational development and compliance. Reporting to the chiefopeople Officer, Johnson will focus on supporting NCTD’s broader goals and fostering an inclusive and collaborative workforce. This role will be critical in managing tactical and operational functions to ensure seamless daily operations.

“The human resources director position is integral to maintaining NCTD’s people-first mentality by fostering opportunities for growth and implementing human resources strategies,” said NCTD Chief People Officer Joy Freeman. “Adrienne brings a wealth of knowledge to this position that will be key to promoting organizational culture and supporting employees while ensuring accountability and compliance.” 

Johnson has more than 15 years of experience in human resources across Fortune 100 and 500 companies, leading and managing change in global environments. Most recently, Johnson served as the human resources director at Airgas, where she led strategic initiatives in talent management, organizational design and regulatory compliance.

“I am absolutely thrilled to join NCTD and I look forward to working with such a talented team,” Johnson said . “Together, we will continue to create an environment that inspires collaboration, innovation and growth of the organization.”

Johnson has also held leadership roles at CVS Health and Starbucks, where she drove human resources strategies across various regions. At CVS Health, she managed talent reviews and succession planning, resolved complex employee issues and drove company objectives. At Starbucks, Johnson led and implemented programs focusing on employee performance and engagement.

Johnson obtained a Bachelor of Science in speech pathology and is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Society for Human Resource Management and the Association for Talent Development.