The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) announced its 2013-2014 Executive Committee as voted by APTA members. They will be introduced at the APTA Annual Meeting, which is being held September 29 to October 2 in Chicago.

The new APTA chair is Peter Varga, CEO of the Interurban Transit Partnership (The Rapid) in Grand Rapids, Mich. Varga succeeds Flora Castillo, board member, New Jersey Transit Corp, who will serve as immediate past chair.

“I am honored to serve as this year’s Chair as we head into an exciting new era for public transportation,” said Varga. “More and more people of all ages are riding public transit and elected officials are recognizing that America's future is riding on public transportation. We need increased investment in public transportation to meet this growing demand and to make sure we stay globally competitive.”

Phillip A. Washington, GM, Denver Regional Transportation District, is the new vice chair, and Doran J. Barnes, executive director of Foothill Transit in West Covina, Calif., continues as secretary-treasurer.

Executive committee members-at-large, include Christopher P. Boylan, Ronald L. Epstein, Joseph J. Giulietti, Huelon Harrison, Angela Iannuzziello, Paul Jablonski, Jeanne Krieg, Crystal Lyons, Reginald A. Mason, Dr. Valarie A. McCall, Gary W. McNeil, Rosa Navejar, Keith T. Parker and Thomas Prendergast.