Clarke to Lead WMATA as GM/CEO

Randy Clarke, the current President and CEO of Capital Metro in Austin, Texas, has been named GM/CEO by the board at WMATA. Clarke will begin his new position in D.C. later this summer.

Clarke has served as president and CEO of CapMetro since March 2018 and led the successful effort of securing one of the country’s largest financial voter-approved referendums in history for a transit expansion. The initiative, called Project Connect, resulted in a multi-billion-dollar infusion for the organization’s capital program. Clarke also worked at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) for six years in several roles, including deputy COO. He also served as the chief safety officer, responsible for the organization’s safety oversight, and director, security and emergency management, while at the MBTA.

Beginning in 2016, Clarke served as VP, operations and member services, at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) for two years leading safety audits and industry peer reviews throughout the country.

“I am honored to be selected as the next GM/CEO of Metro and want to thank the WMATA Board for their confidence in me to help lead this amazing organization through a critical time in its future,” said Mr. Clarke. “As a fellow transit customer, I will be focused on delivering the safe, reliable, and customer centric transit service that this region deserves. I look forward to meeting with staff, customers, stakeholders and community members to learn more about how we can collectively build a bright future together.”

Lastly, CapMetro is leading the industry in its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program, with specific focus on collaboration with labor partners and community groups. Clarke plans to continue that focus at WMATA.

WMATA’s current GM/CEO Paul Wiedefeld announced in January his decision to retire from the agency on June 30 following six years of successful service. Wiedefeld joined the organization in November of 2015 and is widely credited with leading the agency through some of its most challenging times including the Covid-19 pandemic and rail safety and reliability concerns.