The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) board named Chief Legal Counsel Jonathan Hunt as interim GM/CEO following the retirement of Collie Greenwood.

“My experience at MARTA, the respect I have for public transit and understanding of what this Authority is capable of, along with the relationships I’ve built in metro Atlanta put me in a prime position to serve in this interim role,” said Hunt. “With the support of MARTA’s executive team and staff, I intend to immediately get to work addressing service issues and advancing projects ahead of the World Cup.”

Set Up for Success

The board also named a strategic operational advisory group to support Hunt in his interim role. 

The group will be led by former MARTA GM/CEO Keith Parker, with its members including Metro Atlanta Chamber CEO Katie Kirkpatrick, Atlanta Regional Commission Executive Director/CEO Anna Roach, and City of Atlanta Chief Strategy Officer Peter Aman.

“We understand that selecting an internal candidate for this interim position may appear to be more of the same from MARTA and that we are content with the status quo. That could not be further from the truth,” said MARTA Board Chair Jennifer Ide. “An internal candidate with institutional knowledge, combined with the counsel and support of the advisory group will result in strategic decision-making and guidance on the search for a permanent leader, ensuring alignment in the short and long term.”

The MARTA board has also formed a search committee that will work with an executive search firm to select a permanent GM/CEO. 

Hunt Brings Experience to Interim Role

Hunt has worked in MARTA’s Legal Department for almost 12 years and was named chief legal counsel in 2024, bringing with him decades of experience in transit, real estate, finance, corporate law, and construction management. 

Prior to joining MARTA, Hunt served as assistant city attorney for the City of Atlanta, representing among other entities, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. He also serves as president of the American Public Transportation Association’s Legal Affairs Committee and sits on the national board of APTA.

Chief Customer Experience Officer Rhonda Allen served as acting GM/CEO since Greenwood’s retirement announcement in June. 

Allen will continue to focus on a broad range of initiatives on improving the customer experience, including delivering MARTA’s new Breeze system, the agency said.