HRT President Selected for National Transit Post
Michael S. Townes installed as Chairman of American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

October 8th, 2007

Charlotte, NC - Michael S. Townes, President/CEO of Hampton Roads Transit was installed as Chairman of APTA. The "exchanging of the gavel" ceremony between outgoing Chair Howard Silver, a member of the Golden Empire Transit District Board of Directors, and Michael Townes took place during APTA’s opening session of their Annual Meeting.

Last year, Michael was elected as APTA's First Vice Chair and was the first president of a transit authority in Hampton Roads to assume this role since the inception of the organization in 1882. In August 2007, Michael Townes was nominated by the APTA Nominating Committee for election as APTA's chair.

Michael Townes said, “It is an honor to be installed as the Chairman of APTA. I look forward to playing a leadership role as APTA takes the lead in advocating for improved public transportation in the United States.” Commissioner James W. Holley (Mayor, City of Portsmouth), Chairman of the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads, HRT’s governing board, said, "This is a positive development for Hampton Roads. It means a great deal to me to have one of our region's transit leaders in such a highly regarded position. Michael will have an opportunity to build strong relationships with key decision-makers at the federal level."

APTA is a nonprofit international association of 1,600 member organizations including public transportation systems; planning, design, construction and finance firms; product and service providers; academic institutions; and state associations and departments of transportation. APTA members serve more than 90 percent of persons using public transportation in the United States and Canada. Each year, APTA's annual meeting attracts over 2,000 transit industry professionals from across North America.

HRT president named chairman of national transit group- The Virginian Pilot