New Orleans Transit Board Names Three CEO Finalists
The Regional Transit Authority board will vote on a new leader for the agency on October 27, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in People
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The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority board has named Justin Augustine III, Mark Major, and Reginald Mason as the three finalists for its vacant CEO position. The candidates recently presented their plans to the public during a meeting held at First Grace United Methodist Church.
Why it matters
The agency seeks a new leader to stabilize the organization, improve service reliability, and manage the upcoming budget. The new CEO will also be tasked with restoring relationships with regional partners following a period of turnover and legal challenges.
The agency currently manages 80 buses in peak service, a significant decrease from the 315 buses operated pre-Katrina. Additionally, 12 current and former employees have filed a lawsuit alleging a hostile work environment and discrimination.
The players
Justin Augustine III
He is one of the three finalists selected by the board to lead the New Orleans transit agency.
Mark Major
He is one of the three candidates competing for the chief executive role.
Reginald Mason
He is one of the three finalists who presented his vision for the agency to local residents.
Helena Moreno
She is the Mayor of New Orleans who recommended that the board include local natives in the candidate pool.
Lona Edwards Hankins
She is the former CEO who resigned in 2026 and served during a time when the agency faced federal citations.
The details
Candidates were finalized after a recommendation from Mayor Helena Moreno to include local natives in the search. The incoming leadership must address federal citations regarding disability-rights violations and navigate the aftermath of the 2024 resignation of three Jefferson Parish board members.
Timeline
Three Jefferson Parish board representatives resigned in 2024.
Private semifinalist interviews were held in August 2026.
Candidates addressed residents at a public meeting on October 26, 2026.
The Board of Commissioners will select the new CEO on October 27, 2026.
The new CEO will implement a right-sized agency budget in 2027.
Market Landscape
The agency is currently working to overcome years of service reductions, struggling to scale operations back to the levels seen during the RTA pre-Katrina service era. This leadership transition aims to stabilize the organization against the backdrop of significant regional institutional turnover.
The selection of a new CEO will directly impact the reliability and frequency of the buses, streetcars, and ferries that residents depend on for daily commuting. Residents can expect the new leadership to begin restructuring the agency's budget starting in 2027.
The takeaway
The upcoming board vote represents a critical juncture for the transit authority as it faces both budget constraints and ongoing legal scrutiny. Residents should monitor the 2027 budget implementation to understand how the new leadership prioritizes service restoration.
What happens next
The RTA Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hold a vote to select the new CEO on October 27, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local leadership changes in New Orleans People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NOLA.
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