*In Atlanta, the board of directors at MARTA announced Thursday that CEO and General Manager Collie Greenwood is stepping down earlier than planned. According to board chair Jennifer Ide, the decision was mutual and tied to complications regarding Greenwood’s immigration status, WABE reports.
Per the transit authority, Greenwood, a Canadian citizen, had his work permit expire last month. Although his green card is pending, Greenwood chose to cease working.
“My wife and I have decided this is a good opportunity to take an early retirement and spend more time with our family and friends. I do want to thank the board, the executive leadership team, and everyone at MARTA for their support and their continued work to improve and grow transit service in this region,” Greenwood said in a statement.
Greenwood did not attend the meeting where his early retirement was announced. Ide addressed his absence, stating, “He has served MARTA tremendously in his role as general manager. As the resolution states, he got us through some difficult times at the end of COVID and the transition from losing our previous general manager very unexpectedly, and is leaving us in tremendously good stead financially.”
Ide added, “Immigration is a very complicated issue in the United States today, but Mr. Greenwood needed to make the decision that was best for his family, and his MARTA family will miss him tremendously.”
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In response to Greenwood’s departure, the MARTA board has launched a search for a permanent replacement. In the interim, Rhonda Allen, who served as Greenwood’s deputy, will lead the agency.
“We wish him the best, and just to state that I’m excited to steady the reins, hold the reins and steady the ship, until such time that the board votes on a permanent GM, CEO,” Allen said.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens also offered words of appreciation for Greenwood’s contributions, noting, “This is a pivotal opportunity to accelerate the system improvements and expansions our residents have long called for.”
Board officer Katie Powers reflected on Greenwood’s impact, saying his accomplishments were “probably too numerous to list.”
“If you’ve ever been outside of the walls of MARTA, you understand how well respected he is in this industry and what a great job he has done, both leading the authority, providing guidance to this board and serving through difficult, unforeseen times, but I understand that family comes first and so I certainly respect that decision, but it is a sad day for this board and for this authority,” Powers added.
Greenwood joined MARTA in 2019 as chief of bus operations and urban planning before becoming deputy general manager the following year. He was also named to Atlanta Magazine’s “Atlanta 500” list and Georgia Trend’s “100 Most Influential Georgians.”
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