ATLANTA, GA — The head of MARTA is stepping down due to immigration concerns.
“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,” Collie Greenwood said. “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.”
At Thursday’s board meeting, the members accepted Greenwood’s decision to take early retirement, and approved a severance agreement.
“Greenwood, due to immigration and personal matters, has elected to leave his employment and elect early retirement,” said MARTA General Counsel Jonathan Hunt.
Greenwood developed a passion for public transit in his native Canada, working as a bus driver to put himself through college.
Hunt says Greenwood’s leadership won MARTA the title of American Public Transit Agency of the Year, and a AAA bond rating in tough economic times.
Greenwood was personally recruited to MARTA in 2019, by then-CEO Jeff Parker, to become head of Bus Operations and Planning.
“Collie came to MARTA with a tremendous knowledge of transit and an innovative mind and has led the Authority through some challenges and great successes,” said MARTA Board Chair Jennifer Ide. “My fellow board members and I are thankful for his leadership and wish him and his family the best.”
The immigration process is extensive and had an impact on Greenwood’s personal and professional progress, according to MARTA officials.
Chief Customer Officer Rhonda Allen will serve as MARTA’s interim CEO.