APTA's Waters to retire; White named successor

Kathy Waters, executive vice president for member services at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), plans to retire Jan. 8, 2016.

Waters' career in transportation includes posts as deputy administrator at the Maryland Transit Administration, as well as vice president for commuter-rail and railroad management at Dallas Area Rapid Transit, according to an APTA newsletter.

Additionally, Waters served as manager and chief operating officer for Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) service.

As an APTA member, she was chair of the commuter-rail committee and vice chair for commuter and intercity rail on the association's executive committee. Waters also represented APTA for more than 17 years on the Federal Railroad Administration's Rail Safety Advisory Committee.

Former APTA Chair Richard White was named as Waters' successor.

White began his career at the U.S. Department of Transportation. He then worked at New Jersey Transit before becoming chief executive officer at San Francisco's Bay Area Rapid Transit. He was later named CEO of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

White will assume his new position as vice president for member services Sept. 14 and work with Waters to enable a smoother transition, APTA officials said.