FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2025
MARTA GENERAL MANAGER
& CEO COLLIE GREENWOOD ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
ATLANTA
– The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Board of Directors
and General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood today jointly announced Mr.
Greenwood’s early retirement. Chief Customer Experience Officer Rhonda Allen
was named acting GM/CEO.
Mr.
Greenwood joined MARTA in July 2019 as Chief of Bus Operations and Urban
Planning, advanced to Deputy General
Manager of Operations in 2021, and was named GM/CEO in January 2022.
Mr. Greenwood is a Canadian citizen and was recently
notified that his Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) is forthcoming after the
expiration of his Employment Authorization Document (EAD or work permit) this
summer. Upon
expiration of his work permit on June 18, 2025, and out of an abundance of
caution, Mr. Greenwood ceased working, personally notified all MARTA board
members and executive leadership individually and signed a delegation of
authority to Ms. Allen. Mr. Greenwood’s Canadian visa is valid, and he remains
in this country legally awaiting imminent
delivery of his Green Card.
The immigration process is extensive and has had an impact on Mr.
Greenwood’s personal and professional progress. These challenges have been
resolved with Mr. Greenwood’s decision, and the MARTA family supports him. “My wife and I have decided this is a good
opportunity to take an early retirement and spend more time with our family and
friends. I do want to thank the board, the executive leadership team, and
everyone at MARTA for their support and their continued work to improve and
grow transit service in this region.”
Under
Mr. Greenwood’s leadership, MARTA achieved the highest AAA bond rating during a
difficult financial time and has advanced the largest improvement and expansion
program in its history, including construction of the region’s first bus rapid
transit line, a systemwide rail station rehabilitation project, and an entire
fleet of new railcars. Mr. Greenwood’s innovative ideas and commitment to
transit equity, sustainability, and customer service helped earn MARTA the
North America 2024 Outstanding Public Transportation System award from the
American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
“Collie
came to MARTA with a tremendous knowledge of transit and an innovative mind and
has led the Authority through some challenges and great successes,” said MARTA
Board Chair Jennifer Ide. “My fellow board members and I are thankful for his
leadership and wish him and his family the best.”
The
Board of Directors will convene a committee to begin the search for a General
Manager and CEO.
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