New leadership for MARTA Board in era of expansion

The MARTA Board of Directors gets a new chair to lead it in an era of expansion.

The MARTA Board of Directors gets a new chair to lead it in an era of expansion.

The MARTA Board of Directors Thursday elected new leadership as the agency prepares for a new era of possible expansion.

Chairman Robbie Ashe stepped aside after five years of leading the board. The board elected Freda B. Hardage, who represents north Fulton County, to be the new chair.

William F. Floyd will serve as vice chairman, with Ashe sliding into the treasurer’s post. Roberta Abdul-Salaam will continue as secretary.

Ashe led the board during a series of major initiatives, including Clayton County's decision to join MARTA and the agency's expansion in Atlanta. He also helped negotiate a deal that led to the upcoming Gwinnett County referendum on joining MARTA.

Freda Hardage

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Hardage is director of foundation services for the Alpharetta Medical Campus of Northside Hospital. She has served on the board since 2013 and has been vice chair since 2016.

Hardage said she looks forward to leading the board during “exciting times for our region.”

“The growth of transit is vital to the future of our region, and I’m excited to be a part of it, as is the entire board,” she said.