Collie Greenwood, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of MARTA, has announced his early retirement following the expiration of his work permit on June 18, 2025. Greenwood, a Canadian citizen, remains in the United States legally while awaiting his permanent resident card.
Out of an abundance of caution, Greenwood ceased working upon the expiration of his employment authorization document and personally informed MARTA’s board members and executive leadership. He also signed a delegation of authority to Rhonda Allen, the Chief Customer Experience Officer, who has been named acting General Manager and Chief Executive Officer.
“My wife and I have decided this is a good opportunity to take an early retirement and spend more time with our family and friends,” Greenwood said. “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.”
Greenwood joined MARTA in 2019 and became General Manager and Chief Executive Officer in January 2022. During his leadership, MARTA earned its highest bond rating and advanced major projects, including the region’s first bus rapid transit line, a systemwide rail station rehabilitation project, and a new fleet of railcars. MARTA also received the 2024 Outstanding Public Transportation System award from the American Public Transportation Association.
“Collie came to MARTA with a tremendous knowledge of transit and an innovative mind and has led the Authority through some challenges and great successes. My fellow board members and I are thankful for his leadership and wish him and his family the best,” MARTA Board Chair Jennifer Ide said.
The MARTA Board of Directors will form a committee to begin the search for a new General Manager and Chief Executive Officer.
How to Read and Understand the News
Truth doesn’t bend because we dislike it.
Facts don’t vanish when they make us uncomfortable.
Events happen whether we accept them or not.
Good reporting challenges us. The press isn’t choosing sides — it’s relaying what official, verified sources say. Blaming reporters for bad news is like blaming a thermometer for a fever.
Americans have a history of misunderstanding simple things. In the 1980s, A&W rolled out a 1/3-pound burger to compete with McDonald’s Quarter Pounder. It failed because too many people thought 1/3 was smaller than 1/4. If we can botch basic math, we can certainly misread the news.
Before dismissing a story, ask yourself:
- What evidence backs this?
- Am I reacting to facts or feelings?
- What would change my mind?
- Am I just shooting the messenger?
And one more: Am I assuming bias just because I don’t like the story?
Smart news consumers seek truth, not comfort.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
