People on the move: MARTA, Metrolink, city of Boulder

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), Metrolink and the city of Boulder, Colo., have made new appointments to their respective leadership teams. 

MARTA appoints interim general manager and CEO 

The MARTA Board of Directors appointed MARTA Chief Legal Counsel Jonathan Hunt as interim general manager and CEO of the authority following the retirement of Collie Greenwood on July 17, 2025. 

“I am honored by this appointment and grateful to the board for this opportunity,” Hunt said. “My experience at MARTA, the respect I have for public transit and understanding of what this authority is capable of, along with the relationships I’ve built in Metro Atlanta put me in a prime position to serve in this interim role. With the support of MARTA’s executive team and staff, I intend to immediately get to work addressing service issues and advancing projects ahead of the World Cup.” 

The MARTA Board also named a strategic operational advisory group to support Hunt in his interim role. The group will be led by former MARTA General Manager and CEO Keith Parker and its members include Metro Atlanta Chamber CEO Katie Kirkpatrick, Atlanta Regional Commission Executive Director and CEO Anna Roach and City of Atlanta Chief Strategy Officer Peter Aman. The MARTA Board has also formed a search committee that will work with an executive search firm to select a permanent general manager and CEO. 

“We understand that selecting an internal candidate for this interim position may appear to be more of the same from MARTA and that we are content with the status quo,” said MARTA Board Chair Jennifer Ide. “That could not be further from the truth. An internal candidate with institutional knowledge, combined with the counsel and support of the advisory group, will result in strategic decision-making and guidance on the search for a permanent leader, ensuring alignment in the short and long term.”. 

Hunt has worked in MARTA’s Legal Department for almost 12 years and was named chief legal counsel in 2024, bringing with him decades of experience in transit, real estate, finance, corporate law and construction management. Prior to joining MARTA, Hunt served as assistant city attorney for the city of Atlanta, representing among other entities, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. He also serves as president of the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Legal Affairs Committee and sits on the national board of APTA. 

Metrolink promotes Tom Schamber to chief financial officer 

Metrolink has elevated Tom Schamber to the role of chief financial officer. A seasoned leader with nearly three decades of strategic management experience in accounting, audit and financial operations, Schamber has been a driving force at the agency since 2016 and has led the department in an interim capacity since April 2025. 

“Tom has been instrumental in strengthening Metrolink’s financial position and ensuring we’re making smart, strategic decisions for our riders and the region,” said Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle. “His expertise, dedication and genuine commitment to public service make him the right leader to shape our financial future.” 

In his role, Schamber will oversee all aspects of Metrolink’s financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, contracts, procurement, grants, payroll and reporting. According to the agency, he sets the vision for the department’s goals and priorities in alignment with its strategic plan and ensures that financial considerations are integrated into agency-wide decision-making.  

Schamber directs the annual budget process, allocates resources to meet service needs and guides investments toward projects that enhance the customer experience and advance Metrolink’s role in the region. He is also responsible for making internal processes more efficient, transparent and effective, including identifying opportunities for innovation that improve performance and support long-term sustainability. 

“Over nearly a decade with Metrolink, I’ve seen firsthand the impact that strong fiscal stewardship can have in turning ambitious goals into tangible results,” Schamber said. “Together with our leadership team, I am committed to ensuring the agency’s growth and financial health while delivering the best possible service as a vital connector benefiting communities across Southern California.” 

After joining Metrolink as a general accounting manager, Schamber was quickly promoted to the position of controller, assuming all high-level and managerial accounting-related activities. He was named director of grants in 2020; and Metrolink notes that under his leadership, it has secured millions of dollars in federal, state and local funds to support the completion of critical projects and initiatives.  

Schamber previously held progressively senior roles across several public, nonprofit and financial institutions, including the city of Santa Monica, Calif., Lane Transit District, the University of Oregon Foundation, the Educational Policy Improvement Center, Foster Farms, Moss Adams LLP and Isler CPA.  

He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Oregon and is a Certified Public Accountant through the Oregon Board of Accountancy. 

City of Boulder names next transportation and mobility director  

The city of Boulder has named Blythe Bailey as the city’s new transportation and mobility director. He will start on Sept. 15. 

Bailey currently serves as the director of design and connectivity for the city of Chattanooga, Tenn.,’s Department of Parks and Outdoors. In this role, he oversees the comprehensive planning and design for the city’s parks and greenways. Prior to this, he helped found and then led Chattanooga’s Department of Transportation.   

Bailey earned a master of architecture degree from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and a bachelor of arts degree in math and history from Vanderbilt University.  

“I am so excited that Blythe has agreed to join us,” said Boulder City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde. “Not only does he bring incredible experience and expertise, but he also demonstrates passion and joy that are, frankly, contagious. I’m confident he will serve this talented department and our community well as we continue to advance City Council’s transportation priorities while also meeting Boulder’s core mobility needs.”  

Bailey added, “Safe streets and paths that are comfortable and welcoming for all are a defining feature of great cities. I’m thrilled to join Boulder’s talented team in advancing a transportation system that connects people and enriches daily life.”