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.

RELATED: Fed oversight of D.C. Metro to include surprise inspections

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.