APTA appoints McCarragher VP

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has named Ward McCarragher vice president of government affairs.

McCarragher has served as the majority/minority chief counsel for the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the past 20 years. Prior to that, he served as as minority counsel for the subcommittees on Surface Transportation and Economic Development and Public Buildings.

In those roles, McCarragher has been directly involved in negotiating, drafting and supporting each of the public transit titles of the surface transportation legislation for the past 25 years, APTA officials said in a press release.

"His experience and expertise will be an asset as we work with Congress and the administration to advance public transportation," said APTA President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Skoutelas.

McCarragher succeeds Robert Healy, who is retiring after 29 years at APTA. Healy will remain on board until June to ensure a smooth transition, APTA officials said.