At an Aug. 14 meeting the MARTA board appointed chief counsel Jonathan Hunt to serve as the agency’s interim general manager and CEO while a committee searches for a permanent replacement for Collie Greenwood.
Greenwood, who had served as GM and CEO since 2022, abruptly left the agency on July 17 citing “immigration and personal matters.” Greenwood, who is Canadian, agreed to a mutual separation with the board and took early retirement.
This triggered a search for a permanent leader of Atlanta’s transit agency. MARTA’s Chief Customer Experience Officer Rhonda Allen took over as acting GM and CEO immediately following Greenwood’s exit.
At the Aug. 14 meeting, the board revealed a search committee had met without public knowledge four times since July 17. The ad hoc committee decided to appoint Chief Legal Counsel Jonathan Hunt in the interim role.
“I’m accepting this role with a humble heart, knowing everything we need to do to move forward,” Hunt said.
Hunt has worked in MARTA’s legal department for almost 12 years, and was appointed chief legal counsel in 2024. He was appointed alongside a “strategic operational advisory group.”
The group includes former MARTA CEO Keith Parker, Metro Atlanta Chamber CEO Katie Kirkpatrick, Atlanta Regional Commission CEO Anna Roach and City of Atlanta Chief Strategy Officer Peter Aman. They will “support” Hunt in decision making.
In the resolution, the committee was allowed to have up to seven members – meaning three more people could be appointed to the advisory board.
Hunt said in a public statement that he intends to “immediately get to work addressing service issues and expanding projects ahead of the World Cup.” He will stay in the role into MARTA’s search committee appoints a permanent GM and CEO.
The search committee consists of Chair Jennifer Ide, Valencia Williamson, Al Pond, Rita Scott and Sagirah Jones.
Board Chair Ide said the internal appointment is not a show of the “status quo” for an agency marred by recent controversy.
In 2024 MARTA was audited by the City of Atlanta, and the city found the agency owed $70 million to taxpayer-funded transit projects. The agency’s counter-audit found a different number. Neither agency has come to an agreement about how much money MARTA owes.
Former Chief of Staff Melissa Mullinax and Former Chief Counsel Peter Andrews both left MARTA at the end of 2024, too. But MARTA leaders and Hunt are optimistic about the interim future of the transit agency.
“My experience at MARTA, the respect I have for public transit and understanding of what this Authority is capable of, along with the relationships I’ve built in Metro Atlanta put me in a prime position to serve in this interim role,” Hunt said.
What a shame. He is the most corrupted one.
Jonathan Hunt is a joke. MARTA needs a bold change of leadetship and restructuring.
Hello, This message regards the Marta Board of faculty. I noticed an amazing swift in the service of Marta providing for the terrorist to enjoy themselves when it comes to the best City in America. My only concern and responsibility as an young entrepreneur in my city and my name and identity getting slandered and allowing these people to feel as my community and my mother households are filled with whatever to keep us from thinking that our growth and concerns and money is no good (FALSE NARRATIVES) . They as in y’all weak minded people that get put in those higher up poistions to keep slandering my name without getting my check clear for discrimination and illegal activities they use our so called low vibration and tax dollars to fund bums. I’m relaying this message because God put it on my heart to get something straight about my mental stat and my families as well. Can I please get something solve we don’t need any more people in our community that feel as they can keep stealing from me and my mom. Thanks will see you guys soon in the court of Law.