RTA Board Added Mark Major as CEO Finalist
The New Orleans transit agency selected a new candidate after a previous finalist withdrew from the search process.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in People
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The Regional Transit Authority board has unanimously voted to add former deputy CEO Mark Major to its list of three finalists for the permanent CEO position. The addition follows the withdrawal of a New York City transit executive from the search process last week.
Why it matters
The RTA is working to fill its top leadership role as it navigates the ongoing CEO search process that began earlier this year. Selecting a new leader is critical for the transit agency to maintain operational stability and address the needs of local commuters.
The RTA board currently has 3 candidates in the CEO pool following a unanimous vote by 4 members present at the meeting. The agency interviewed 5 semi-finalists in August before narrowing the search to the current shortlist.
The players
Mark Major
He is a former deputy CEO at the Regional Transit Authority who has been named as a finalist for the top leadership position.
Regional Transit Authority
This is the primary agency responsible for managing public transportation services across New Orleans.
Justin Augustine
He is one of the three individuals currently identified as a finalist for the RTA CEO role.
Reginald Mason
He is a Greensboro, North Carolina-based finalist who remains in the running for the agency's executive position.
The details
Mark Major, who began his career at the RTA in 1983, was added to the list after board members who were not physically present at the meeting were polled individually for their support. Major had previously filed a lawsuit against the RTA in 2025, but he dropped the action in July 2026.
Timeline
Mark Major began working at the RTA in 1983.
The search process for the new CEO began in May 2026.
Major dropped a lawsuit against the transit agency in July 2026.
The board added Mark Major as a finalist in September 2026.
The RTA board is scheduled to select a final CEO on October 27, 2026.
Market Landscape
The addition of Mark Major follows the established framework of the RTA CEO search process initiated in May 2026. This selection marks a strategic adjustment to the candidate pool following the withdrawal of a previously qualified applicant.
The appointment of a new CEO will determine the future direction and service quality for riders across the New Orleans transit network. Residents should monitor the upcoming public forum to see how the finalists plan to address local infrastructure and service needs.
The takeaway
The RTA board is actively finalizing its leadership search to restore stability within the organization. Local transit users should pay close attention to the upcoming candidate forum to understand the priorities of the potential future CEO.
What happens next
The RTA will host a public forum for the CEO candidates on October 26, 2026, followed by a final board vote to select the new leader on October 27, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on local leadership, visit the New Orleans People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NOLA.
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