WTS International
WTS International on July 31 announced the appointment of Dr. Malika Reed Wilkins as its next CEO and Executive Director of WTS International and the WTS Foundation, effective Aug. 18, 2025.
Dr. Wilkins brings more than 25 years of leadership in nonprofit management, public policy, and strategic marketing and communications. She joins WTS International from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), where she served for more than eight years, most recently as Chief Strategy Officer and Chief External Affairs Officer. In this role, she oversaw enterprise strategy development, government affairs, marketing and communications, creative and digital media, and corporate engagement for the 11-county metro Atlanta region.
Her distinguished career also includes leadership roles at the Georgia Department of Human Services, the State Road and Tollway Authority—where she helped launch the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank—and in the nonprofit sector, where she spent more than 13 years at the Southern States Police Benevolent Association.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dr. Wilkins brings a deep and personal connection to WTS International, shaped by years of dedicated service and leadership within the organization. She served as President of WTS Atlanta, where she led the chapter to receive the first WTS International Chapter of the Year Award and the Gold Circle of Excellence Award, increased sponsorship revenue by 50%, and initiated impactful partnerships with organizations like Dress for Success and Habitat for Humanity. After many years of chapter service, she joined the WTS International Board of Directors in 2024.
Her academic background reflects the same dedication to public service and leadership that has shaped her career. Dr. Wilkins holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications from The University of Georgia, a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina Central University, and a PhD in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University.
“It is an honor to lead WTS International at this transformative moment in the organization’s history,” said Dr. Wilkins. “WTS has long served as a catalyst for women’s advancement in transportation. I am excited to build on this momentum, elevate new voices, and deepen our collective impact across communities and generations.”
Dr. Wilkins’ appointment comes at a time of significant momentum for WTS, the organization noted. In May 2025, WTS hosted its first international conference in Toronto, Canada—welcoming more than 1,200 transportation professionals from across North America, the largest attendance in WTS history. As CEO, Dr. Wilkins “will lead efforts to expand WTS’s global reach, strengthen its chapter network, grow scholarship and professional development opportunities, and foster a more inclusive and innovative transportation workforce.”
“Dr. Wilkins is a leader with the strategic insight that will help us strengthen relationships with our partners, support our chapters, and engage more deeply with our members to foster an organizational culture that reflects our values and mission,” said Bridgette Beato, WTS International Board of Directors Chair and Founder and CEO of Lumenor Consulting Group.
FTA
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Aug. 2 announced that Marcus J. Molinaro has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 16th Administrator of the FTA.
“I am grateful to [POTUS 47] for placing his trust in me, and to Secretary Duffy for his confidence in my leadership,” said Molinaro. “I am committed to supporting our nation’s public transportation systems and ensuring a safer, more accessible, and better-connected America.”
Molinaro brings a lifetime of public service and a results-driven record to the USDOT, the agency noted. A lifelong New Yorker, he most recently served as the U.S. Representative for New York’s 19th Congressional District. In Congress, he was a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, and the House Committee on Small Business—advocating for rural economies, infrastructure modernization, and small business growth across Upstate New York.
Molinaro’s career in public service began in 1994 at just 18 years old, when he was elected to the Village Board of Trustees in Tivoli, N.Y. One year later, he was elected Mayor of Tivoli—becoming the youngest mayor in America at the time. He was re-elected five times, “earning a reputation for revitalizing the village and strengthening local government.”
Simultaneously, he served four terms in the Dutchess County Legislature, where he led bipartisan efforts to improve the county’s response to child abuse, domestic violence, and social services coordination along with co-chairing the Budget, Finance and Personnel Committee.
From 2006 to 2011, Molinaro represented the 103rd District in the New York State Assembly where he served as Assistant Minority Leader Pro Tempore. In 2011, he was elected Dutchess County Executive, a position he held for three terms. During his tenure, “he led countywide efforts to streamline government operations, improve fiscal discipline, and launch forward-thinking initiatives.” He served in leadership roles with the New York State Association of Counties and as President of the New York State County Executives Association. In 2023, he stepped down as County Executive following his election to Congress.
A hallmark of Molinaro’s leadership, the FTA says, has been his ability to craft innovative solutions to complex problems. In 2015, he founded the ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative—a call to action for communities to foster inclusion and break down barriers for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. The initiative became a national model and has since been adopted by municipalities across New York and beyond.
In 2025, POTUS 47 appointed Molinaro to serve as Administrator of the FTA, where he brings “decades of executive and legislative experience to the challenge of modernizing America’s transit systems and ensuring they are safe, accessible, accountable, and responsive to the needs of all Americans.”
Tariq Bokhari, who previously served as Acting Administrator, now transitions to the role of Deputy Administrator.
American Public Transportation Association (APTA) President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas released the following statement:
“APTA congratulates former Representative Marcus Molinaro on his confirmation as Administrator of the FTA. We look forward to working closely with him and the Administration to strengthen public transit systems nationwide, support economic growth, and improve mobility for millions of Americans.
“The FTA plays an essential role in supporting the $79 billion public transportation industry, which provides billion of trips annually, employs 430,000 people directly, and creates and sustains millions of private-sector jobs across construction, manufacturing, and supply chains—particularly through Buy America provisions that strengthen domestic production.
“Administrator Molinaro brings valuable real-world experience to the role—from his service on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to his leadership as a New York County Executive. He understands that modern, reliable public transportation is not only vital to mobility but also critical to economic growth, job creation, and global competitiveness.
“His nationally recognized ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative—launched during his time as Dutchess County Executive—challenged local governments to reexamine how they served individuals with disabilities. As a Member of Congress, he continued this critical work. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to the role public transportation plays in providing access for millions of Americans to economic opportunities.
“APTA looks forward to collaborating with Administrator Molinaro and FTA. Together, we can advance solutions that improve public transit systems, create job opportunities, and ensure access to mobility for people across the country.”
