WMATA selects Randy Clarke of Capital Metro to serve as its next CEO

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in Washington, D.C., has selected Randy Clarke as its new general manager and chief executive. Clarke has served as president and CEO of Capital Metro in Austin, Texas, since 2018. His start date is expected to be late summer.

Randy Clarke

Clarke, who will be paid $485,000 annually, is credited with helping to secure one of the country’s largest financial voter-approved referendums for transit expansion. The initiative, called Project Connect, resulted in a multi-billion-dollar infusion for Capital Metro's capital program.

Clarke also worked at MBTA in Boston for 6 years beginning in 2009 in several roles, including deputy chief operating officer and chief safety officer. Beginning in 2016, he served as vice president of operations and member services at the American Public Transportation Association for 2 years, leading safety audits and industry peer reviews throughout the country.

“With the current challenges facing Metro, we knew we needed to find an accomplished and innovative executive who has a track record of effective leadership,” said WMATA’s Board Chair Paul Smedberg. “It was obvious to the board that Mr. Clarke was clearly the one candidate who most demonstrated his ability to be a transformative, strategic thinker who would redefine how the organization moves forward over the next several decades, ensuring Metro’s important role in driving future regional mobility.”

“I am honored to be selected as the next GM/CEO of Metro and want to thank the WMATA Board for their confidence in me to help lead this amazing organization through a critical time in its future,” Clarke said. “As a fellow transit customer, I will be focused on delivering the safe, reliable, and customer centric transit service that this region deserves. I look forward to meeting with staff, customers, stakeholders and community members to learn more about how we can collectively build a bright future together.”

Metro’s current general manager and CEO, Paul Wiedefeld, announced in January his decision to retire from the agency on June 30 following 6 years of service. Wiedefeld joined the organization in 2015 and is widely credited with leading the agency through some of its most challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic and rail safety and reliability concerns.

“Without question, Mr. Wiedefeld was the right General Manager/CEO for Metro for the last 6 years,” said Smedberg. “We are appreciative of Paul’s commitment to the Authority and his ability to put programs in place to improve safety, service reliability and financial management.”

Details of Clarke's contract:

- Annual salary of $485,000

- Five-year agreement

- Relocation benefit package includes $4,000 per month temporary housing allowance for the earlier of the date that GM/CEO closes on a house or signs a 12-month or longer lease or six months from start date

- Annual bonus eligibility of up to 10% of base salary at Board discretion, based on performance against defined goals

- Standard WMATA benefits (annual leave WMATA-paid Deferred Compensation, WMATA Defined Contribution Retirement Plan, etc.)

- Standard provisions for termination with or without cause by either party with defined severance payments under certain conditions

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