Capitol Hill veteran Ward W. McCarragher is joining the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) as VP, Government Affairs.

McCarragher has served as majority/minority chief counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the past 20 years. Prior to that, he served as minority counsel for the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and the Subcommittee on Economic Development and Public Buildings. In these roles, he has been directly involved in negotiating, drafting, and supporting each of the public transit titles of the surface transportation legislation for the past 25 years, starting with TEA 21 and up to and including the FAST Act.  

"We are very pleased that Ward is joining APTA to lead our government affairs efforts," said APTA President/CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. "His experience and expertise will be an asset as we work with Congress and the Administration to advance public transportation." 

McCarragher is taking over the position from Robert Healy, who is retiring after 29 years at APTA. Healy will remain on board until June to ensure a smooth transition.

"Rob has been a stalwart advocate for the public transportation industry," said Skoutelas. "We thank him for his decades of service and will miss his wit and wisdom."