This story has been updated. 

MARTA says it has found a replacement to replace Keith Parker, the CEO who made the transit authority relevant again.

“The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) named Atlanta transit executive Jeffrey A. Parker as the sole finalist in its search for a permanent General Manager and CEO,” MARTA said in a press release, saying Parker is not related to his predecessor. “State law requires a 14-day waiting period before the MARTA Board of Directors can vote to confirm his selection and extend an official offer of employment.”

Jeffrey Parker was selected after a nation-wide search. He was selected from 18 candidates.

He currently works in the Atlanta office of design firm HNTB Corporation.

“Before joining HNTB, he led the Connecticut Department of Transportation and was previously Senior Director of Transportation for MARTA,” the press release says. “Parker has also overseen transit operations in Boston, Massachusetts.”

When Keith Parker announced his departure last year, MARTA announced it had hired another former HNTB employee – Arthur “Rob” Troupe – to be deputy general manager.

The firm has also previously received MARTA contracts, according to various public records.

A MARTA spokesperson said, “HNTB is a MARTA contractor currently. Mr. Parker will have to divest his interest in the company prior to starting at MARTA. Once he does so and thus has no further financial tie to the company, HNTB will not be precluded from competing for future work with MARTA, just like any other company.”

Here is the full press release:

ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) named Atlanta transit executive Jeffrey A. Parker as the sole finalist in its search for a permanent General Manager and CEO. State law requires a 14-day waiting period before the MARTA Board of Directors can vote to confirm his selection and extend an official offer of employment.

A nationwide search, conducted by Krauthamer & Associates, identified 18 candidates with varying backgrounds in transportation and other business sectors. Over the past few months, the MARTA Board of Directors selection committee, chaired by board member Frederick L. Daniels, interviewed 11 of those candidates.

“As we step into a new chapter as an agency, there was remarkable unanimity among the board that Jeffrey Parker is the right person to lead us over the road ahead,” said MARTA Board of Directors Chairman Robert L. Ashe.

Parker is currently vice president at infrastructure and design firm HNTB Corporation and leads their Atlanta office. Before joining HNTB, he led the Connecticut Department of Transportation and was previously Senior Director of Transportation for MARTA. Parker has also overseen transit operations in Boston, Massachusetts.

“His background, his familiarity with Metro Atlanta, and his ability to plan and execute big projects make Mr. Parker the perfect fit for this agency,” said Mr. Daniels after making the announcement at today’s monthly board meeting.

Parker replaces former General Manager and CEO Keith Parker – no relation – who left MARTA last fall to become president of Goodwill of North Georgia.