FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2024
MARTA HIRES TSA EXECUTIVE AND FORMER OSSOFF DEPUTY STATE DIRECTOR TO LEAD EXTERNAL AFFAIRS TEAM
ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has named attorney Steven Parker as its new Assistant General Manager of External Affairs where he will be responsible for directing and overseeing federal, state, and local government affairs, community engagement, marketing, sales, and communications.
In this role, Parker will help develop and implement initiatives that strengthen the MARTA brand through compelling marketing and communications campaigns, strategic partnerships, and consistent community engagement. Parker joins MARTA as it advances the largest expansion and improvement effort since its founding and on the heels of the Authority being named Outstanding Public Transportation System by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
“I am excited to welcome Steven to our team,” said Collie Greenwood, CEO and General Manager at MARTA. “His deep experience engaging with government officials and the community around policy will be key to our success going forward. He’ll be leading a great team of professionals focused on helping advance and communicate our most important priorities.”
“I am looking forward to leading the External Affairs team during this critically important time,” said Parker. “I plan to hit the ground running and help Mr. Greenwood and his team execute on MARTA’s key goals, from improving the customer experience to the completion of ongoing expansion and enhancement projects.”
Most recently, Parker was the Chief Innovation Officer for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) where he led a team charged with creating an environment where innovation can thrive by mobilizing innovation teams across the agency, developing problem solving models and partnering with private industry to help TSA remain an agile security agency.
Parker previously served as Deputy State Director for U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff where he developed and implemented the Senator's outreach strategy to Georgia’s local, state, and federal elected officials, and business, community, and religious constituencies. Prior to that he was Political Director for the Jon Ossoff for U.S. Senate campaign. He was formerly a Senior City Attorney, handling Commercial Real Estate and Municipal Law for the City of Atlanta, Director of Logistics for the Jon Ossoff for Congress campaign, and prior to that, an attorney at Balch & Bingham LLP, and Vice President, and Senior Counsel with Fidelity National Title Group.
Just this week, Parker was appointed by Mayor Andre Dickens and confirmed by the Atlanta City Council to serve on the Metro Atlanta Land Bank Authority, which acquires dilapidated properties and transforms them to productive use with an emphasis on affordable housing. Parker has a long history of working to improve the lives of others. “I am deeply committed to serving my community and I look forward to lending my skills and resources to create a positive impact on those served by MARTA,” he said.
“With his experience in the transportation and government fields, and commitment to community service, Steven is an enormous asset and the right person to lead our External Affairs group during this time of transit expansion,” said MARTA Chief of Staff Melissa Mullinax. “I’m thrilled to welcome him to our leadership team.”
Parker earned his Juris Doctor degree at North Carolina Central University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University.
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