The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that Carolyn Flowers will assume leadership and all decision-making duties, replacing Acting Federal Transit Administrator Therese McMillan, who recently accepted a position as chief planning officer for L.A. Metro. Flowers joined the FTA as senior advisor to the Administrator in January 2015.

“Carolyn Flowers is an outstanding choice to head the Federal Transit Administration,” said Valarie J. McCall, APTA Chair and board member of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. “She is highly respected in the transportation industry and her extensive expertise and experience in public transportation will ensure she continues to be a great addition to the FTA.” 

Flowers will lead a staff of more than 500 in the Washington, D.C. headquarters office and 10 regional offices throughout the U.S. and implementing an annual budget of over $10 billion. Flowers’ decades-long career serving in public transit provides the FTA invaluable insight and guidance for delivering its programs, policies and initiatives.

Related: Therese McMillan named chief of planning at L.A. Metro

Prior to joining FTA, Flowers served as CEO/Director, Public Transit, for the Charlotte Area Transit System, where she was responsible for countywide bus and rail transit planning and management. She began her career in public transportation with L.A. Metro in 1993 and for 19 years served in many capacities in budget, administration and operations at L.A. Metro.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Carolyn  Flowers as we advance public transportation throughout the country," said APTA President/CEO Michael Melaniphy. "Her experience as FTA Senior Advisor over the last year and her decades of experience managing public transportation systems are a tremendous asset as FTA implements critical provisions of the FAST Act.”