ATLANTA, GA — MARTA has officially selected Jonathan Hunt to permanently lead the Atlanta region’s transit system, naming him the agency’s new General Manager and Chief Executive Officer.
The MARTA Board of Directors announced Hunt’s selection on Thursday, August 13, following a national search and final interviews with three candidates for the position. Hunt had already been leading the agency on an interim basis since August 2025.
Hunt stepped into the interim GM/CEO role following the departure of former MARTA leader Collie Greenwood. Before taking over the agency’s top position, Hunt served as MARTA’s Chief Legal Counsel. He has been with the transit authority since 2014 and has more than two decades of legal experience. Hunt earned his law degree from Case Western Reserve University and a bachelor’s degree from Hampton University.
During his year as interim leader, Hunt oversaw a significant period of change for MARTA. Major initiatives included the rollout of the agency’s redesigned bus network, work on replacing the Breeze fare payment system and implementation of Atlanta’s first bus rapid transit line. He also led MARTA operations during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when public transportation played a major role in moving residents and visitors throughout the Atlanta area.
MARTA Board Chair Jennifer N. Ide said Hunt’s performance during the past year played an important role in the board’s decision. The agency credited him with navigating major improvement projects while strengthening relationships with stakeholders, employees and riders. His leadership during Atlanta’s World Cup operations was also cited as a factor in his selection.
Hunt secured the permanent position after MARTA conducted a nationwide search for its next leader. The three finalists participated in interviews on August 10 before the board made its final selection three days later.
His appointment comes during an important period for MARTA as the agency continues several large-scale modernization projects designed to improve reliability, safety and the overall rider experience.
As permanent GM/CEO, Hunt will now be responsible for guiding those projects forward while overseeing the daily operations and long-term direction of one of the country’s largest public transit systems.
The move gives MARTA continuity at the top after a year under interim leadership, while placing Hunt in charge as the transit system continues its next phase of upgrades and expansion across metro Atlanta.
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