MARTA has announced the appointment of three new leaders to its executive team.
Stepping into the roles of chief of staff, chief administrative officer and chief legal counsel are Steven Parker, LaShanda Dawkins and Jonathan Hunt, respectively.
As chief of staff, Parker will serve as a top advisor to MARTA’s general manager/CEO, overseeing strategic planning, executive projects and general decision making for the public transport operator.
Parker originally joined MARTA in 2024 as assistant general manager of external affairs and later served as interim chief of staff. Prior to MARTA, he previously served as deputy state director for U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and senior city attorney for the City of Atlanta.
In the role of chief administrative officer, Dawkins will be in charge of overall administration for MARTA, looking after departments “that provide business support services,” such as human resources and diversity and inclusion, according to MARTA.
Possessing over 25 years of legal and human resource management experience, Dawkins has been with MARTA since 2006, most recently serving as interim chief administrative officer for the organization.
Finally, as chief legal counsel, Hunt will advise MARTA’s leadership and staff on legal matters, lead a team of in-house attorneys and manage the organization’s Office of Risk Management and Contracts, Procurement and Materials, MARTA said.
Hunt, who has been with MARTA since 2014 (most recently serving as interim chief legal counsel), holds over 24 years of legal experience and a background in engineering.
“Ms. Dawkins, Mr. Hunt, and Mr. Parker will continue their significant contributions to the important work before us,” said Collie Greenwood, general manager and chief executive officer of MARTA. “I am pleased to announce their permanent appointments to my executive team.”