Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) on March 17 reported the permanent appointments of LaShanda Dawkins as Chief Administrative Officer, Jonathan Hunt as Chief Legal Counsel, and Steven Parker as Chief of Staff.
All three had been serving in their respective roles in an interim capacity, according to the transit agency, which provides rapid transit, streetcar, bus and paratransit services in the Atlanta, Ga., metropolitan area.
LaShanda Dawkins, who has more than 25 years of experience in legal and human resource management, has been with MARTA since 2006, serving more recently as Assistant General Manager of Labor and Employee Relations. In her new Chief Administrative Officer role, she will assist General Manager/CEO Collie Greenwood in the overall administration of the transit agency, ensuring alignment with policies and directives set by leadership. Additionally, Dawkins will oversee departments that provide business support services, including Human Resources, Labor and Employee Relations, and Diversity and Inclusion; coordinate executive activities; and develop long- and short-term strategies in support of MARTA’s mission to “advocate for and provide safe, multimodal transit services that advance prosperity, connectivity and equity for a more livable region.”
Dawkins holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech University School of Law and a B.B.A. in Accounting from Prairie View A&M University.
As Chief Legal Counsel, Jonathan Hunt will advise the General Manager/CEO, staff, and the MARTA Board of Directors on legal matters, including litigation, regulatory compliance, intergovernmental relations, and real estate. He will lead a team of in-house attorneys and oversee the Office of Risk Management and Contracts, Procurement, and Materials. Additionally, Hunt will monitor and coordinate legal services for the MARTA Board of Directors.
An 11-year MARTA veteran, Hunt has held such positions as Senior Director of Corporate Law and Deputy Chief Legal Counsel. He has 24-plus years of legal experience and worked as an engineer with Gilbane Co. before entering law. Hunt earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Case Western Reserve University and a B.S. from Hampton University.
Steven Parker, as Chief of Staff, will serve as a top advisor to the General Manager/CEO, assisting with leading strategic planning, key executive projects and decision making. He will be responsible for overseeing cross-agency functions, with a focus on key performance indicators, identifying areas of improvement across the organization, and making actionable recommendations. Parker will also represent the General Manager/CEO in interactions with MARTA Board members, community stakeholders and the public. Additionally, he will manage the Department of External Affairs, which encompasses Government Affairs, Public Engagement, Communications, and Marketing.
Parker has 25 years of experience in community, legislative, legal and policy development. He joined MARTA last summer as Assistant General Manager of External Affairs. Previously, he served as Deputy State Director for U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff and worked as an attorney at Balch & Bingham LLP, Senior City Attorney for the City of Atlanta, and General Counsel for StoryBrand.
Parker holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from North Carolina Central University School of Law and a B.A. in Political Science from California State University Northridge.
“Ms. Dawkins, Mr. Hunt, and Mr. Parker will continue their significant contributions to the important work before us,” MARTA General Manager/CEO Collie Greenwood said. “I am pleased to announce their permanent appointments to my executive team.”
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