ATLANTA – Richard J. McCrillis has been named general manager and Chief Executive officer of the authority of MARTA.
He has served as interim general manager/CEO since January.
“Richard McCrillis brings a wealth of experience to the table and is the clear choice to lead MARTA at this critical time in our history,“ MARTA Board Chairman Edmund Wall said. “As Interim General Manager, Richard has charted a course focused on fiscal responsibility, customer-focused service planning and regional transportation development, and the Board is excited to continue working with him to achieve these goals.”
McCrillis joined MARTA in 1985 as Director of Treasury Services and is recognized throughout the transit industry for his financial expertise. He has spearheaded programs to generate over $600 million in non-traditional revenue – helping MARTA to continue to deliver service during times of economic decline, and also allowing MARTA to invest in comprehensive system improvements.
Prior to becoming interim GM/CEO, McCrillis held leadership roles including Treasurer (1985 – 1993), Assistant General Manager for Audit (1993 – 2002) and Assistant General Manager for Finance/Chief Financial Officer (2002 – 2005). He also represented management on the Authority’s pension committee.
Since his appointment in January, McCrillis has maintained MARTA’s financial stability and led the Authority to end its 2006 fiscal year with an operating surplus for the first time in nearly a decade.
As interim GM/CEO, McCrillis also assumed oversight of MARTA’s transition to an all smart-card fare collection system and the overhaul of the Authority’s 238 oldest rail cars – two projects critical to the future success of the transit agency – as well as programs to upgrade tracks, improve communications systems, and streamline business processes. He is an active participant in the newly formed Transit Planning Board, which has been charged with formulating a plan for delivering and sustaining public transportation that will meet the metro Atlanta region’s ever growing needs.
McCrillis received both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of New Hampshire. He and his wife, Rosa, have three grown children.
– Special to Railfanning.org News Wire
