MARTA General Manager and CEO Beverly A. Scott has announced two key staff appointments – Dwight A. Ferrell as deputy general manager/chief operating officer and Theodore J. Basta, Jr., as chief of business support services.

“Each of these individuals are experts in their field and bring to the table extensive experience and successful track records in public transit,” said General Manager/CEO Beverly A. Scott. “I am thrilled they agreed to join the MARTA team.”

Dwight A. Ferrell, Deputy General Manager/Chief Operating Officer
Dwight A. Ferrell brings more than 28 years of transit experience to MARTA. Since 2004, he has served as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Capital Metro in Austin, Texas, overseeing operations, maintenance, safety and security activities for bus, paratransit, freight rail and commuter rail services. In this role, Ferrell was instrumental in the development of Capital Metro’s new commuter rail system, which is scheduled to begin operations this fall — a first for the city of Austin.

Ferrell has held leadership positions at transit properties in Texas, Louisiana and Pennsylvania and previously served as MARTA’s senior vice president and chief operating officer of Operations. He is highly regarded throughout the industry and holds leadership positions with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA)and Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO).

Theodore J. Basta, Jr., Chief of Business Support Services
For more than 34 years, Theodore J. Basta, Jr., has served at the Metropolitan Transit Authority of New York City, most recently holding the position of vice president of operations support. In this position, he was responsible for directing a $1.6 billion budget to deliver administrative and technical support services to all areas of the Surface Transit Department. During his tenure, Basta implemented programs focused on fiscal responsibility and efficient resource allocation, enhancements to safety and security policies, and performance management initiatives.

Since beginning his career at MTA, Basta has served in progressively responsible positions including general manager of the Manhattan Division, general manager of the Queens Division and chief officer of operations support.