Top CEO of huge taxpayer-funded company is forced to step down over his immigration status
MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood announced his early retirement following the expiration of his Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which allowed him to work in the U.S. as a Canadian citizen.
The surprise resignation was confirmed during a Thursday meeting of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority's Board of Directors.
'Due to immigration and personal matters, [Greenwood] has chosen to leave his employment and elect early retirement,' Jonathan Hunt, MARTA's chief legal counsel, said.
Hunt added that the board accepted Greenwood's decision and will honor the remainder of his contract through a severance agreement.
Greenwood's work permit expired on June 18, according to The Atlanta Journal Constitution, and while he remains in the U.S. legally on a valid Canadian visa, his green card has not yet been issued.
In a statement, MARTA said Greenwood was 'recently notified that his Permanent Resident Card (green card) is forthcoming' and that, 'out of an abundance of caution,' he stopped working when his EAD expired.
Greenwood informed the board and MARTA leadership of his decision personally and delegated authority to Rhonda Allen, MARTA's Chief Customer Experience Officer, who has now been named acting CEO.
'This is a sad day for this board and for this authority,' board member Kathryn Powers said in a company meeting, Atlanta News First reported.
Further, the taxpayer-funded company issued a statement of its own, commending the now former CEO's time with the company.
'The immigration process is extensive and has had an impact on Mr. Greenwood's personal and professional progress,' the agency said in a statement.
'These challenges have been resolved with Mr. Greenwood's decision, and the MARTA family supports him.'
Now, Allen will serve in the interim role while a search is conducted for Greenwood's permanent replacement, however, no timeline for that process has been released.
Greenwood was not present at the meeting, with board officials confirming he was unable to attend 'because of his immigration status.'
Greenwood joined MARTA in 2019 as Chief of Bus Operations and Urban Planning, became Deputy General Manager of Operations in 2021, and was named CEO in 2022.
He began his career 35 years ago as a bus driver and rose through the ranks of public transit leadership in both Canada and the U.S.
In a statement, MARTA said Greenwood was 'recently notified that his Permanent Resident Card (green card) is forthcoming' and that, 'out of an abundance of caution,' he stopped working when his EAD expired. Pictured: MARTA Board of Directors raise their hands in acceptance of Greenwood's decision
Under his leadership, MARTA earned its highest-ever AAA bond rating and launched several major infrastructure initiatives, including the region's first bus rapid transit line and a systemwide rail station renovation, The Champion Newspaper reported.
The American Public Transportation Association named MARTA the 2024 Outstanding Public Transportation System in North America during Greenwood's tenure.
In a statement released by MARTA, Greenwood said he and his wife decided that 'this is a good opportunity to take an early retirement and spend more time with our family and friends.'
'I do want to thank the board, the executive leadership team, and everyone at MARTA for their support and their continued work to improve and grow transit service in this region,' he added.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens issued a statement thanking Greenwood for his service and reaffirming the city's commitment to expanding MARTA.
'As we look ahead, my administration remains committed to building a world-class transit system for Atlanta and the entire region,' Dickens said.
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson criticized the circumstances surrounding Greenwood's departure, blaming immigration policies under President Donald Trump.
'The early, forced retirement of MARTA General Manager CEO Collie Greenwood is another example of the disruption, chaos, and pain that MAGA is inflicting on people's lives and on the nation's economy,' Johnson said.
He called Greenwood's exit 'forced by the cruel policies of President Donald Trump.'
According to MARTA, Greenwood remains in the country legally while awaiting the 'imminent' delivery of his green card.
The agency described the U.S. immigration process as 'extensive' and said it has 'had an impact on Mr. Greenwood's personal and professional progress.'
Doug Shipman, president of the Atlanta City Council, responded to the announcement by calling for a 'hard reset' at MARTA and urging the board to engage stakeholders in selecting a successor.
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