MARTA appoints Parker, Dawkins, Hunt to C-suite roles

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) yesterday announced the permanent appointments of Steven Parker as chief of staff, LaShanda Dawkins as chief administrative officer and Jonathan Hunt as chief legal counsel.

Parker, who had been interim chief of staff since October 2024, is the top adviser to MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood. Parker also oversees cross-agency functions to identify areas of improvement and manages the department of external affairs.

Prior to joining MARTA in August 2024 as assistant GM of external affairs, Parker served as the deputy state director for U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.).

Dawkins had served as interim chief administrative officer since October 2024. She oversees human resources, labor and employee relations, and diversity and inclusion departments. She also coordinates executive activities and develops long- and short-term strategies. Previously, Dawkins was MARTA's assistant GM of labor and employee relations. She has been with MARTA since 2006.

As chief legal council, Hunt will advise Greenwood, MARTA staff and MARTA's board on litigation, regulatory compliance, intergovernmental relations and real estate. He joined MARTA in 2014 and has over 24 years of legal experience. Before entering the legal field, Hunt was an engineer with Gilbane Co.