METRO's People Movement covers the latest personnel moves in the public transit, motorcoach, and people mobility industries. 

In this latest edition, METRO covers the latest announcements at WTS International, Trinity Metro, and more.

WTS International Names New CEO/Executive Director

Dr. Malika Reed Wilkins was named CEO/Executive Director of WTS International and the WTS Foundation, effective August 18. 

Dr. Wilkins brings more than 25 years of leadership in nonprofit management, public policy, and strategic marketing and communications. She joins WTS International from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), where she served for over eight years, most recently as chief strategy officer and chief external affairs officer. In this role, she oversaw enterprise strategy development, government affairs, marketing and communications, creative and digital media, and corporate engagement for the 11-county metro Atlanta region. 

Her distinguished career also includes leadership roles at the Georgia Department of Human Services, the State Road and Tollway Authority, and in the nonprofit sector, where she spent more than 13 years at the Southern States Police Benevolent Association. 

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dr. Wilkins brings a deep and personal connection to WTS International, shaped by years of dedicated service and leadership within the organization. She served as president of WTS Atlanta, where she led the chapter to receive the first WTS International Chapter of the Year Award and the Gold Circle of Excellence Award, and increased sponsorship revenue by 50%. She initiated impactful partnerships with organizations like Dress for Success and Habitat for Humanity. After many years of chapter service, she joined the WTS International board in 2024. 

Amtrak Taps Corneanu as EVP/CFO

The Amtrak board approved Costin Corneanu as executive VP/CFO. In his new role, Corneanu will be responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing all financial activities for the organization.  

The appointment has been a planned transition. Corneanu has been serving as deputy CFO since January. The position serves as a key member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team and reports to the president. 

The current Finance team will report to Corneanu in his role as CFO, responsible for preparing finance reports, forecasting, and strategic planning for future business growth and economic outlooks. The team also sets the long-term strategic vision, priorities, and budgets within the context of Amtrak’s strategic plans and oversees accounting, treasury, grants, audit, risk and controls, and capital portfolio governance functions. 

Corneanu will begin his new role at Amtrak on August 4, succeeding Tracie Winbigler, who will retire from Amtrak on Jan. 1, 2026. Until then, Winbigler will remain in her EVP role as chief transformation officer, leading the Procurement and Real Estate teams. 

Texas’ Trinity Metro Names New COO

Reed Lanham has been named COO for Trinity Metro following an exhaustive nationwide search. Previously VP, Rail, he has held a variety of leadership roles since joining the agency in 2015.

“Reed’s nearly 20 years of transportation expertise, leadership abilities, and track record of delivering results make him a natural fit for this role,” said Trinity Metro President/CEO Richard Andreski. “He fosters a culture of high performance, teamwork, innovation, and efficiency. As a collaborative leader, he excels at building partnerships and has negotiated and executed $469 million in contracts.”

Under his leadership, Trinity Metro TEXRail has experienced a 12% to 13% annual growth rate and has rebounded most quickly post-pandemic among all commuter rail lines in the nation. During his tenure, Lanham played key roles in the start-up of TEXRail, led the implementation of regional positive train control, and partnered with DART on the development of Trinity Railway Express.

As COO, Lanham will oversee Trinity Metro Bus, Trinity Metro On-Demand ridesharing, Trinity Metro On-Demand Paratransit, safety, and security.

Michigan’s BATA Names New Chief

Traverse City, Michigan’s Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) selected Jeff Meilbeck as its new executive director. 

Meilbeck has an extensive background well-suited to serve as BATA’s executive director, according to the agency. His previous experience includes working as the CEO/GM of the Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority in Flagstaff and the executive director of MetroPlan, Flagstaff’s Metropolitan Planning Organization. He also worked as the interim city manager for the City of Flagstaff and in numerous other public service roles.

He has received multiple awards and recognitions, including Transit Manager of the Year by the Community Transportation Association of America and the Small Urban Transit System of the Year by the American Public Transportation Association.

Chris Davis will continue to serve as BATA’s interim executive director until Meilbeck’s official start date of October 1.