Management

John Henry joins APTA as CFO

Jan. 28, 2020

Henry comes to APTA from Jefferson County, Ala., where he oversaw budget management, purchasing, revenue and economic/workforce development.

Mischa Wanek-Libman

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) officially welcomed John Henry as the newest member of the association’s senior leadership team. He will serve as APTA's chief financial officer.

“We are pleased that John Henry will be joining APTA to lead our finance and information technology departments,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “His wide-ranging experience and expertise in finance in both the public and private sector will serve APTA and its members well and we are excited to have him join the APTA team.”

Henry comes to APTA from Jefferson County, Ala., where he served as CFO for the Jefferson County Commission. He was responsible for general accounting, budget management, purchasing, revenue and economic/workforce development. Henry was recently recognized as CFO of the Year by the Birmingham Business Journal.

Prior to joining Jefferson County, he served as associate treasurer for asset management in the Office of Finance and Treasury (OFT) for the District of Columbia managing the District’s investment programs, including the general fund, the District’s 401(a) and 457(b) retirement programs, the 529 College Savings program and the District’s Other Post Employment Benefit’s Fund.

Jefferson County announced that Henry would be leaving for APTA in early January, noting he was selected for the position from among 100 applicants.

“Many citizens don’t realize what a great job John Henry has done for Jefferson County,” said County Manager and CEO Tony Petelos. “He has built the county financial reserves, which resulted in an improvement in our bond ratings, putting us on solid financial footing for the future. It was no easy task and he did it facing a tremendous amount of pressure. We are going to miss him but wish him well.”

Henry is a certified public accountant and holds the Certified Treasury Professional designation. He earned, with honors, a Master of Business Administration, Finance from Howard University and a Bachelor of Arts, with honors, in accounting from Virginia State University.

Henry was a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army with the 82nd Airborne Division and is a graduate of the United States Army Ranger and Airborne Schools.

About the Author

Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.

She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.

She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.