Atlanta Attorney J. Michael Walls was named the new chairman of the board of directors for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). Walls, a first term board member, was elected with 11 votes, two more than the required 9-vote majority. He replaced Kenneth M. Gregor, who decided not to seek re-election to a second term. Walls has 28 years’ experience in labor relations, particularly in the transportation industry. He beat out Rev. Walter Kimbrough, who received three votes, and Mychal Walker, who received two votes, for the position. Walls told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he faces two important challenges in his new position: finding new sources of funding and improving the image of MARTA. "We're going to have to look at private funding," he said. "We have to start thinking differently at MARTA." The MARTA board also overwhelmingly approved a new five-year contract for Manager/CEO Nathaniel P. Ford, Sr.