MARTA taps engineering and construction industry leader as new deputy general manager

Aug. 12, 2022
Former Atlanta DOT Commissioner Josh Rowan will oversee the authority’s Capital Improvement Program expansion and innovation.

Josh Rowan has been named deputy general manager of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), where he will oversee the authority’s ambitious and expansive Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

Rowan has 26 years of program and construction management experience, delivering more than $5 billion in facility and infrastructure projects, most recently serving as general manager of Atlanta’s City Renew/TSPLOST Program and commissioner of the inaugural Atlanta Department of Transportation.

“Josh has a deep knowledge of the entire project delivery process in both the public and private sector, from foreman to engineer and every job in between. His global experience with capital construction programs, combined with his local successes with the city’s Renew Program, transportation department and 2022 infrastructure referendum make him uniquely qualified to manage MARTA’s CIP as we embark on the largest expansion in our history,” said MARTA Interim General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood.

Rowan will be tasked with implementing MARTA's CIP, which lays out the current and planned investment in capital projects that enable MARTA to meet its mission of providing safe, multimodal transit services that advance prosperity, connectivity and equity for a more livable region. The program includes maintaining and upgrading existing MARTA assets, such as its 38 heavy rail stations, tracks, vehicles and other infrastructure. It also includes MARTA's expansion program to add high-capacity transit service across its jurisdictions, such as the Summerhill and Campbellton Corridor Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects in Atlanta, high-capacity transit in Clayton County, the Clifton Corridor in DeKalb County and the Georgia 400 BRT line in Fulton County.

“As the Atlanta region continues to experience rapid population growth, the successful delivery of MARTA's capital program will serve as the foundation for our transportation future -- a future focused on moving all people safely throughout the region. I want to thank the MARTA Board, Interim General Manager Collie Greenwood and all the hard-working men and women at MARTA for welcoming me to your team. It is a proud moment for me to be joining the MARTA team. To say I am excited is an understatement,” said Rowan.

A graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Rowan is an emeritus member of Tech’s External Advisory Board for the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and sits on its Construction Infrastructure Engineering Board. He is a Certified Construction Manager, Program Management and Project Management Professional, and has a Professional Engineering designation.

Rowan joins MARTA on Aug. 15 and will report directly to Greenwood.

Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit), Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT), Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) and the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT)
AC Transit Board of Directors has appointed Kathleen Kelly as its new transit district's interim general manager, Veronica P. McBeth has been named its new director of BCDOT, CDTA Vice President of Finance and Administration Michael Collins will be taking on the position of interim CEO and Detroit People Mover General Manager (GM) Robert Cramer has been named Detroit, Mich,’sthe new executive director of transit for Detroit.