METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

MARTA's Parker among Atlanta's 'Most Admired' CEOs

This distinction by The Atlanta Business Chronicle recognizes Atlanta’s leading executives in various industries and professional disciplines, according to the publication.

August 18, 2017
MARTA's Parker among Atlanta's 'Most Admired' CEOs

MARTA GM/CEO Keith Parker was previously recognized as Outstanding Public Transportation Manager by the American Public Transportation Association in October 2015.

2 min to read


MARTA GM/CEO Keith Parker was previously recognized as Outstanding Public Transportation Manager by the American Public Transportation Association in October 2015.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) GM/CEO Keith Parker has been named one of region’s Most Admired CEOs by The Atlanta Business Chronicle. This distinction recognizes Atlanta’s leading executives in various industries and professional disciplines, according to the publication.

Parker joined the nation’s 9th largest transit system as its GM/CEO in 2012.With an annual budget of nearly $1 billion, MARTA provides more than 400,000 passenger trips a day through heavy rail, bus and paratransit services. Since taking the helm, Parker has worked with MARTA’s Board of Directors to balance MARTA’s budget, improve efficiencies, increase bus and rail service, and enhance the overall customer experience.

“I am humbled to receive this distinct honor with this distinguished group of industry leaders and innovators,” said Parker. “This recognition is truly a reflection of the dedication and hard work of the entire MARTA family.”

Ad Loading...

With a long history of accomplishments and accolades, Parker was previously recognized as Outstanding Public Transportation Manager by the American Public Transportation Association in October 2015. In 2016, Parker received a prestigious appointment by President Barack Obama to serve on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council and was named one of eight Public Officials of the Year by Governing Magazine.

A native of Petersburg, Va., Parker serves the community with various national and local civic and charitable organizations — including the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, Virginia Commonwealth Board of Visitors and Goodwill Industries. Parker holds an MBA from the University of Richmond, as well as a Master of Urban and Regional Planning and a BA in Political Science from Virginia Commonwealth University.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Most Admired CEO’s Awards Reception and Ceremony will take place Aug. 24, at the Foundry at Puritan Mill beginning at 6 p.m.

More Management

Managementby StaffMarch 19, 2026

People Movement: The Latest from TARTA, STV, and More

METRO’s People Movement highlights the latest leadership changes, promotions, and personnel news across the public transit, motorcoach, and people mobility sectors.

Read More →
A BART railcar
Managementby StaffMarch 19, 2026

BART Monetizes Empty Parking With New Online Leasing Tool

BART began offering select parking lots to non-BART riders to generate new revenue to help address its FY27 $376M operating budget deficit brought on by remote work.

Read More →
MTA Chair & CEO Janno Lieber sits with a customer service employee and takes calls.
Managementby Elora HaynesMarch 19, 2026

Transit Agencies Nationwide Celebrate 2026 National Transit Employee Appreciation Day

Agencies across the U.S. honored transit workers on March 18, recognizing the essential roles they play in keeping communities moving daily.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Cover for METROspectives with Inez Evans Benson
ManagementMarch 18, 2026

Inez Evans-Benson on Leadership and the Future of Transportation

Drawing on decades of industry experience, Evans-Benson offered insights into the differences between the two, along with tips for better customer engagement and more.

Read More →
An RTC of Washoe County bus driving down Virginia Street.
Managementby StaffMarch 18, 2026

Keolis Lands 3 Contract Renewals

The renewals include continued operations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida; the PRTC in Virginia; and RTC Washoe in Nevada.  

Read More →
A MARTA employee using the new Better Breeze fare ticket machines.
Managementby StaffMarch 17, 2026

MARTA’s New 'Better Breeze' Fare System Nears Launch

The new system introduces tap-to-pay, touchscreen kiosks, and updated Breeze cards, with both old and new systems running through May.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A wide angle view of two MTA buses with three people walking between them.
Managementby StaffMarch 16, 2026

Proposed Auto Insurance Reform Would Save New York’s MTA Millions Annually

The governor’s proposed auto insurance reforms could save the agency $48 million annually by limiting payouts in crashes where buses are not primarily at fault.

Read More →
paratransit bus
SponsoredMarch 16, 2026

Measuring the True Cost of Paratransit Fleets

What truly drives the cost of a paratransit fleet? Beyond the purchase price, seven operational factors quietly determine maintenance frequency, downtime, and long-term service reliability. This whitepaper explores how these factors shape lifecycle cost and what agencies should evaluate when selecting paratransit vehicles.

Read More →
Cover photo for METROspectives with The Bus Coalition
Busby Alex RomanMarch 13, 2026

Inside The Bus Coalition’s Push for Stronger Federal Transit Investment

In this conversation, TBC’s Executive Director Ed Redfern, President Corey Aldridge, and Washington Representative Joel Rubin outline the coalition’s key policy priorities, the challenges facing transit agencies, and how industry stakeholders can work together to strengthen the voice of bus transit at the federal level.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Amanda Wanke
Managementby StaffMarch 13, 2026

Des Moines DART CEO Joins Minneapolis Metro Transit

Amanda Wanke, who has worked at DART for 10 years, including the past 2½ years as CEO, will join Metro Transit as deputy chief operating officer, operations administration.

Read More →