The board of the American Public Transportation Association said it has chosen transit industry veteran Paul Skoutelas to become its new president and CEO effective Jan. 8.

Skoutelas, who currently resides in Pittsburgh, will relocate to Washington, D.C., where the association is based, APTA said.

“Skoutelas has been a highly successful and respected national leader in the public transportation industry for more than 40 years,” the announcement said. It noted that he has headed transit systems in Pittsburgh and Orlando, Fla., and most recently has been a senior vice president of architectural and engineering firm WSP USA. 

He also currently serves on the APTA board. A more detailed biography is available here.

APTA Chair Nathaniel Ford, who is CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, said that “Skoutelas’ strong leadership skills, vision and energy are ideal to lead APTA in these transformational times for public transportation.

“He is a collaborative leader who brings the right blend of expertise and passion to ensure that the public transportation industry continues to play a critical role in connecting people to economic opportunities and a better quality of life.”

Ford also commended Richard White, APTA’s acting president and CEO, for his leadership during the last 19 months. APTA said White will remain at the association for a while “to ensure a smooth transition.”

Skoutelas, in a statement included in the APTA press release, said APTA is “a great association that has played an important part in my career, and that across the nation “every day public transit connects millions of people to jobs, family, vital services and new opportunities.”

He added: “I pledge to work together with APTA members, our stakeholders and elected officials so that we make the necessary transportation policy decisions and investments to grow our communities and our nation.”