Randy Clarke

Clarke grew up in Pictou, Nova Scotia.^[2] He holds a bachelor's degree in political science and history from Acadia University and a master's degree in public policy, planning and management from the University of Southern Maine in 1999.^[5][6]

Clarke joined the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in 2009, serving as director of security initiatives, acting chief safety officer, and later deputy chief operating officer.^[5][6]

After leaving MBTA, Clarke became the vice president of operations of the American Public Transportation Association.^[7] Clarke served as president and CEO of the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority in Austin, Texas, from 2018 until 2022.^[2][8] Clarke was considered "very critical" in getting a transit ballot measure (Project Connect) passed in 2020.^[9]

In May 2022, Clarke was selected as the next general manager and CEO of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) in Washington, D.C., succeeding former general manager Paul J. Wiedefeld.^[10] Clarke has been praised in the media and by local politicians for improving the Washington Metro and Metrobus during his tenure, with increased ridership, reliability and fall in crime levels.^{[9][11][12][13]} In 2024, a Washington Post poll of riders gave the system the highest approval ratings for over a decade.^[14] In April 2025, Clarke's contract was extended until 2029.^[15]

Clarke is married to Kimberley Sweeney, whom he met on the MBTA Red Line in Davis Square on the way to a Red Sox game.^[7]