David Springstead Email Address

Independent Consultant

MARTA was created in 1965 to provide safe, convenient and reliable transit service for the Metro Atlanta region.\r\n\r\nMARTA is the 9th largest public transportation system in the US and North America operating bus, rail and paratransit service for more than 430,000 passenger trips every week day. \r\n\r\nMARTA is primarily funded by a 1% sales tax levied by our member jurisdictions - the City of Atlanta, Clayton and DeKalb counties. \r\n\r\nMARTA is vital to the success of metro Atlanta's economy, the preservation of our environment and the quality of life in our region. According to a University of Georgia study, MARTA is responsible for about $2.6 billion in economic activity every year.

A results-oriented professional with over 35 years of progressive experience in transit operations and maintenance, whole-life cycle asset management, capital programming and delivery, project management and construction and workforce development. Experienced in power and energy management services in the transit, electrical utility and manufacturing sectors. Leader, change agent, and team builder experienced in forming successful collaborative teams that achieve results in both private and public sectors. Encourages innovative and creative solutions; anticipates challenges, defines clear and measurable objectives, motivates and influences; insists on customer focused solutions, values diversity and fosters strong partnerships between management and the frontline. Most recently completed a 23 year career with MARTA in the C-Suite as Chief of Rail Operations. Responsibilities included daily operation and maintenance of the MARTA Rail System and Atlanta Streetcar while ensuring stations, facilities, vehicles, systems and the right of way remain in a safe & secure state of good repair. Prior to, managed MARTA's $3.5 Billion Ten-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) including all aspects of planning, programming and delivery. Accomplishments include successful hosting of the Super Bowl, leading MARTA to become the first transit agency in North America to achieve ISO55000 Asset Management Certification, contract award for full rail fleet replacement, customer-focused restructuring & change management of Rail & Station Services, and employing strategies to keep MARTA safe and viable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leadership APTA and ENO Center for Transit Leadership Alumnus. Served multiple terms as a mentor supporting APTA's Emerging Leaders Program (ELP), as Chair of APTA’s Systems Engineering Sub-Committee, as Co-chair of APTA's TAM Standards Committee and supporting APTA's Rail Planning Committee. Serving as Transit Industry Lead with the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Transportation Working Group (TWG). Active member of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), Transportation Research Board (TRB) and FTA’s State of Good Repair (SGR) Standards Group, Previously worked for Raytheon Engineers & Constructors focusing on electric utility and facility design, construction, operations and maintenance. Provided power and energy management consulting services in the northeast and southeast. Services included power plant system design, construction and rehab and assisting energy providers during regulatory compliance audits.