USDOT's Dorval Carter Jr. to become CTA's president

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has tapped Dorval Carter Jr. to serve as president of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), according to a Chicago Tribune report today. Carter will succeed Forrest Claypool, who is departing the agency to serve as Emanuel's chief of staff.

Carter will become the CTA's first African-American president, the paper reported.

Since January, Carter has been serving as acting chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Transportation, according to his LinkedIn profile. He previously served as CTA's executive vice president and chief administrative officer from 2000 to 2009, in addition to earlier stints at the agency in the late 80s.

Carter has also served as both acting deputy administrator and chief counsel of the Federal Transit Administration, according to his LinkedIn profile.

"Dorval is a seasoned professional who brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about public transportation to the CTA," Emanuel said in a press release quoted by the Chicago Sun-Times. "And just as importantly, he already has a long and successful track record with CTA, and understands the opportunities and challenges it faces."