Atlanta transit system selects new leader

ATLANTA -- Atlanta's public transit system has named a Texas transportation official as its new chief executive officer and general manager.

MARTA's board of directors on Thursday voted to select Keith Parker as MARTA's next general manager and chief executive officer.

MARTA said Parker oversees all aspects of the San Antonio region's primary transit system, which provides bus, streetcar and paratransit service daily for nearly 150,000 riders. Before that, he was the CEO of the Charlotte Area Transit System in North Carolina.

Parker was selected after a nationwide search for a new CEO and general manager of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. He replaces Beverly Scott, who informed the board last year that she would not seek to renew her five-year contract.