Formerly serving as CEO of the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, where he managed the operations of an airport that served a (then) record 22.7 million passengers in 2012.
With unanimous Board support, Paul Wiedefeld was named the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's (Metro) new GM/CEO Thursday. Wiedefeld will be formally appointed at Metro’s next board of directors meeting on November 19.
Wiedefeld, age 60, brings to Metro 30 years of public and private sector transportation management experience, formerly serving as CEO of the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, where he managed the operations of an airport that served a (then) record 22.7 million passengers in 2012.
During his prior service as BWI CEO, Wiedefeld oversaw the largest expansion in the Airport's history including the design and construction of a 26-gate terminal for Southwest airlines; as well as providing air service, customer service, and increasing airport revenues. He is credited with leading BWI’s growth as the busiest passenger airport in the Washington metropolitan region.
Prior to leading BWI, Mr. Wiedefeld’s career included service as Administrator of the Maryland Transit Administration, where he managed day-to-day operations of the nation’s 13th largest transit system, including commuter rail, subway, light rail, buses, and paratransit services. He also spent a decade in the private sector with extensive experience in engineering project management for Parsons Brinckerhoff’s aviation practice.
Metro expects to finalize a contract agreement with Wiedefeld in time for the board meeting on November 19, when it will vote to appoint him to the position and announce a transition plan. Meanwhile, Jack Requa will continue to serve as interim GM until Wiedefeld comes on board.
The board also said today that McKinsey and Co., supported by a team from Ernst & Young, have begun their work at Metro this week on an efficiency study that will provide a road map for the board and Wiedefeld moving forward.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.
The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
