MARTA eyes Jeffrey Parker as next CEO

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has chosen Jeffrey Parker as the sole finalist in its search for a permanent general manager and chief executive officer.

Parker currently serves as vice president at HNTB Corp. and leads the firm's Atlanta office. Before joining HNTB, he led the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Parker also has served as MARTA's senior director of transportation.

"His background, his familiarity with metro Atlanta, and his ability to plan and execute big projects make Mr. Parker the perfect fit for this agency," said MARTA board member Frederick Daniels in a press release.

Parker would replace former General Manager and CEO Keith Parker, who left MARTA in fall 2017 to become president of Goodwill of North Georgia. The two Parkers are not related.

Elizabeth O'Neill has been serving as MARTA's interim leader.

MARTA chose Jeffrey Parker from a pool of 18 candidates with backgrounds in transportation and other business sectors. The agency's board interviewed 11 of those candidates.

Georgia state law requires a 14-day waiting period before MARTA's board can vote to confirm the selection and extend an official employment offer.