Memphis, September 4, 2025
News Summary
The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) faced a major disruption as five board members, including chair Anna McQuiston, resigned amid a daunting $60 million budget deficit. The City of Memphis accepted their resignations, which comprise over half of the board. With ongoing leadership challenges, the search for a new CEO has also been suspended, leading to public concern. MATA continues to seek input from the public as it navigates this critical transition.
Memphis
In a significant disruption to the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA), five board members, including chair Anna McQuiston, have resigned. The resignations were formally accepted by the City of Memphis, which thanked the departing members for their services. With a total of nine members on the board, this resignation represents over half of its composition.
The resignations come as MATA grapples with a formidable $60 million budget deficit, prompting critical evaluations of its leadership and direction. Memphis Mayor Paul Young had earlier made a complete overhaul of the MATA board in October 2024 in an effort to create a โclean-slate environmentโ amid ongoing budgetary concerns.
Following the introduction of the new board, their initial action in January 2025 was to enlist the consulting firm TransPro to replace the organization’s current leadership. This move included replacing the CEO, COO, and CFO with TransPro staff. The firmโs expenses involved substantial hourly fees: $486 for the CEO, John Lewis; $205 for the COO, Steve Hamelin; and a weekly cost of $40,000 for CFO Aaron Headly.
Currently, MATA is in the midst of searching for a new full-time CEOโa process that recently faced interruption when the search was unexpectedly suspended. The cancellation of a public meeting intended to introduce two CEO finalists raised eyebrows; the meeting was called off just one day prior without any explanation. The City of Memphis has stated that the suspension of the CEO search aims to expand the candidate pool, which had dwindled from six to three potential candidates.
The remaining candidates under consideration for the CEO position are Reginald A. Mason, the current CEO of the Greensboro Transit Agency, and Lois G. Pittman, who formerly served as COO for Rock Region METRO. Although a special meeting of the MATA board is anticipated to vote on a new candidate, the date for this meeting has not yet been announced.
MATA board meetings take place at One Commerce Square in Memphis, with opportunities for public input via email or comment cards. Recent polling indicates that MATA riders are looking for a CEO who prioritizes service improvements and community relations. Moreover, the authority has faced criticism for its initial reluctance to disclose information about its top candidates until public records requests prompted a more transparent approach.
While MATA has previously maintained that job applications are confidential during active recruitment, it eventually complied with records requests and offered insights into the candidate details. The current interim CEO’s contract is nearing its end, leaving MATA without a permanent leader as it continues to address its financial challenges and enhance its service delivery.
Summary of Recent Events at MATA
- Five board members, including the chair, resigned from MATA.
- The City of Memphis has acknowledged the resignations.
- MATA faces a significant budget deficit of $60 million.
- TransPro has been appointed to manage the leadership transition.
- CEO search has been suspended, causing public concern.
- Public input on MATA issues is encouraged during meetings.
FAQ
What led to the resignation of MATA board members?
The resignation of five board members, including the chair, was influenced by ongoing budgetary issues, including a $60 million deficit, and the transitional leadership challenges as MATA seeks to stabilize its governance.
What is the current status of the CEO search at MATA?
The search for a new CEO has been suspended to expand the candidate pool. The resignation of board members and the cancellation of a public meeting has garnered public concern over the leadership vacancy.
How does the public participate in MATA’s decision-making process?
The public can participate in MATA’s decision-making process by attending board meetings held at One Commerce Square, submitting comments via email, or filling out comment cards during the meetings.
Key Features of MATA’s Recent Updates
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Resignations | Five board members, including the chair, have resigned, impacting board composition. |
| Budget Deficit | MATA is dealing with a significant budget deficit of $60 million. |
| Leadership Transition | TransPro was brought in to manage the leadership changes. |
| CEO Search | The search for a new CEO has been suspended to broaden the candidate pool. |
| Public Meetings | Public participation is permitted through comments at meetings and via email. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Fox 13 Memphis
- Wikipedia: Memphis Area Transit Authority
- MLK50
- Google Search: Memphis Area Transit Authority
- Action News 5
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Transit
- Commercial Appeal
- Google News: MATA Memphis
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
