Mass transit networks across the United States are reshaping their executive leadership rosters, bringing in decades of veteran rail experience to manage infrastructure overhauls, daily reliability challenges, and shifting rider demands.
New Orleans RTA Appoints Justin Augustine III
The New Orleans Regional Transportation Authority Board of Commissioners selected Justin Augustine III as the agency’s next CEO. Augustine will direct the network’s bus, streetcar, paratransit, and ferry services, alongside ongoing capital investments and strategic initiatives.
“New Orleans needs strong leadership at RTA that understands the urgency of improving service, increasing reliability and delivering a better experience for our riders,” New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said regarding the selection. Moreno credited an outstanding group of finalists and praised RIDE’s public advocacy during the recruitment process.
Augustine brings more than 40 years of public transit leadership experience, having previously served as New Orleans RTA CEO in addition to holding senior executive roles across U.S. and international multimodal systems. His career includes private-sector transportation positions and involvement in the recovery of New Orleans transit services after Hurricane Katrina. “My focus will be on supporting our employees, serving our riders, improving reliability and ensuring RTA delivers the quality transit service our community expects and deserves,” Augustine said.
Transition at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
At the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, PATH Director and General Manager Clarelle DeGraffe is retiring after more than 37 years with the agency, spending the final seven years leading the PATH rail system. DeGraffe will remain through the end of 2026 to mentor incoming leadership.
During DeGraffe’s tenure, PATH secured the American Public Transportation Association’s Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award in 2022 for railroads with over 20 million annual riders. Her leadership spanned the $2 billion Superstorm Sandy reconstruction effort, the rollout of the TAPP tap-to-pay fare collection system, and the conclusion of the PATH Forward program in March 2026.
Succeeding DeGraffe is long-time New Jersey Transit executive James Sincaglia. Sincaglia spent nearly three decades with NJ Transit, starting in the bus division in 1996 before moving into rail operations, eventually serving as senior vice president and general manager of rail operations. His background includes implementing NJ Transit’s Positive Train Control project and expanding the workforce of locomotive engineers.
Joining Sincaglia is Matthew Reddell, who takes on the role of deputy director for infrastructure maintenance and rolling stock delivery. Reddell most recently managed track and structures for Bay Area Rapid Transit and brings prior experience from Amtrak, Canadian Pacific, Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, BNSF Railway, and NJ Transit, alongside service as a retired U.S. Army officer. They join Zandra Ford, who was appointed as deputy director for operations in June 2026.
“PATH has been through many changes in the past few years, emerging after each a stronger and much improved system,” said PANYNJ Chairman Kevin O’Toole.
San Joaquin RTD Promotes John Van Camp
Across the country, the San Joaquin Regional Transit District appointed John Van Camp as its permanent COO. Van Camp steps into the executive role after serving as maintenance superintendent and subsequently acting COO, bringing over twenty years of experience in fleet management, maintenance operations, and public transit.
In his new post, Van Camp oversees maintenance, facilities, and transportation departments to improve operational performance, safety, and service reliability across San Joaquin County, California. Prior to joining San Joaquin RTD, he spent nine years at Cummins as a shop foreman.
“John Van Camp has earned the respect of his colleagues throughout RTD through his dedication, professionalism, strong work ethic and willingness to lead by example,” San Joaquin RTD CEO Eric Williams noted, emphasizing a commitment to elevating internal talent.
