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Yesterday, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) swore in John Catoe Jr. as general manager. He succeeds Richard White, who resigned early last year. Dan Tangherlini had served as interim GM until November, when he left to become Washington, D.C.’s city administrator.

Catoe most recently served as deputy chief executive officer of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. A Washington, D.C., native, Catoe, 59, began his public transportation career 26 years ago with California’s Orange County Transit District, which he served for 17 years, lastly as director of operations.

As WMATA’s general manager, Catoe says he will focus on improving service quality, customer communications and safety.

In addition, WMATA’s board elected Charles Deegan to serve a year-long term as chairman. He succeeds Gladys Mack, whose term expired yesterday.

A board member since 2004 representing Prince George’s County, Md., Deegan also serves as board president for Prince George’s Community Federal Credit Union. In December 2004, he retired as chief of the equipment maintenance division for the Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation.

The board also elected Virginia Christopher Zimmerman as first vice chairman and D.C. representative Jim Graham, second vice chairman.