Beverly A. Scott, Ph.D.
General Manager/Chief Executive Officer,
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)

Beverly A. Scott became General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) in October 2007, bringing strong vision and leadership to the Authority’s ongoing implementation of system improvements and its work with the region to develop a comprehensive regional transportation plan.  Dr. Scott is highly regarded throughout the transit industry and currently serves as the First Vice-Chair of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). 

With over 30 years of experience in the transportation industry, Dr. Scott has held leadership positions with some of the nation’s largest transit agencies.  Prior to joining MARTA, Dr. Scott served as General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of the Sacramento Regional Transit District.  Prior to that, she served as the General Manager of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, one of only four statewide public transit systems in the United States.

Dr. Scott also held executive management positions with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), New Jersey Transit Corporation, and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, including being the first woman appointed as Vice President of Surface Transit with responsibility for the daily operation of all bus service in the five boroughs of New York City as well as Staten Island rail service.

Dr. Scott began her public transportation career in 1977 in the State of Texas through Texas Southern University, as one of four national recipients of a Carnegie Foundation Fellowship. In 1979, with the creation of the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority, she was the regional transit authority’s first Director of Affirmative Action. In addition to her professional transportation positions, she has served as Executive Director of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA), Assistant Professor of Government and Public Affairs at Tennessee State University and also taught graduate courses at Howard University (Washington, DC).

Dr. Scott has received numerous national and local awards, including citations from the U.S. Department of Transportation, American Public Transportation Association, American Society of Public Administrators, National Business League, Women’s Transportation Seminar, Rhode Island Professional Engineers Society, Sierra Club, Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, the Urban League, and City Year.

She holds a doctorate in Political Science with a specialization in public administration from Howard University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Fisk University (magna cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa).