The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) installed First Vice Chair Howard Silver to the position of APTA chair. The move is effective with the resignation of APTA Chair Ronald L. Barnes on February 24. Silver is a long-time member of the Board of Directors of Golden Empire Transit District in Bakersfield, Calif., and APTA’s Transit Board Members Committee. "It is an honor to lead this vital organization," said Silver. "I look forward to moving ahead on initiatives that Ron and our members have been addressing." Barnes was the former deputy director of operations at Miami-Dade Transit. He recently left his position at the agency. Under APTA’s bylaws, the APTA chair must be a high ranking official at a transit agency. Silver will serve the remainder of Barnes’ unexpired term as chair, set to end this October at APTA’s Annual Meeting in San Jose, Calif. He is eligible to be elected to a full one-year term for the following year.