Following a unanimous vote, the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) board of directors named Michael P. Melaniphy to serve as the association's next president/CEO.

The appointment is the culmination of an extensive search process by a 12-member task force of APTA members chaired by Gary Thomas, who is APTA vice chair and president/executive director of Dallas Area Rapid Transit.

"It is an honor and privilege to be named APTA president," said Melaniphy. "I believe fervently that public transportation is key to the economic vitality of our communities and our country.  I am committed to working together with industry leaders, our stakeholders and elected officials so that we make the necessary transportation investments to grow our economy and ensure that Americans have access to quality public transportation."   

With 23 years of experience (bio here), Melaniphy has spent his entire career in public transportation in both the public and private sectors. Currently, he serves as VP, Public Sector for Motor Coach Industries. Prior to that, he worked at First Group and its predecessor companies, serving as GM for public transit systems in Charlotte, N.C.; Wichita, Kan.; and Hamilton, Ohio; and as assistant GM in Laredo, Texas.

"I am delighted that someone with such broad-based experience as Michael Melaniphy will be following me at APTA," said Millar.

Melaniphy will officially assume the post on Nov. 1, and will join APTA prior to that date to work with Millar until his Oct. 31 retirement.