John B. Catoe, Jr. was sworn in as general manager of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Thursday. He will oversee the activities of nearly 10,000 employees, a $1.2 billion annual operating budget and a $3.3 billion six-year Capital Improvement Program. After being sworn in, Catoe stressed the importance of improving the quality of service, enhancing communications with customers and having a good safety record. “We are going to take it to the next level.” Catoe, who replaces former WMATA general manager Richard A. White, served as deputy chief executive officer of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority since 2001, where he oversaw the agency's multi-modal operations.