Two named to federal seats on Metropolitan Area Transit Authority board

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao recently introduced David Horner and Steve McMillin as new federal appointees to the Washington, D.C. area’s Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) board of directors.

Each of four jurisdictions in the WMATA – Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia and the federal government – appoint two voting directors and two alternates for Metro’s board. Chao appointed each new principal director with voting privileges effective July 24. 

“I’ve been riding Metro since it opened in 1976,” Horner said in the Transportation Department release said. “I look forward to working with WMATA’s executive leadership and other members of the board to institute the fundamental reforms that will deliver safe and reliable service for Metro’s riders across the region.”

Horner practices public-private partnership and transportation law with a D.C. firm, while policy analyst McMillin previously served as deputy director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). 

“Metro faces a variety of challenges,” McMillin said in the release. “I look forward to the opportunity to help drive continued improvements in the system.”