FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2018
MARTA BOARD MEMBER FROM DEKALB TAPPED FOR
MAJOR
INDUSTRY AWARD
Frederick L. Daniels, Jr. Named Among “Best of the Best”
ATLANTA
- The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has selected Frederick
L. Daniels, Jr., a DeKalb County representative on the MARTA board of
directors, as its Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member for 2018, one
of the organization’s highest honors.
The
award is in recognition of Daniels’ impressive accomplishments in various roles
on the MARTA board as well as his indelible impact on the industry as a mentor,
friend and invaluable resource to his peers at transportation agencies nationwide.
“I’m
very thankful for this honor,” said Daniels. “I’ve always believed in serving
my community and have been inspired and blessed to have the opportunity to play
an active role in an industry that touches so many people’s lives in such a positive
way.”
Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., chairman of the APTA board, praised
Daniels for his commitment and record of industry achievements.
“Fred Daniels is the quintessential board member
extraordinaire,” said Ford. “He has been involved in APTA at every rung as well
as championing many causes and initiatives for the benefit of the entire
membership. Most of all, he’s a strong, tireless advocate for public
transportation. I can think of no one more deserving than Fred for this
prestigious honor.”
Daniels
was first named to the MARTA board of directors in 2010 and, on the strength of
his clear-eyed fiscal leadership, his colleagues elected him board
chairman in 2012.
A
banker by trade, Daniels is often credited with guiding MARTA’s financial
turnaround and was instrumental in helping move the agency from $30 million in
annual operating deficits to approximately $35 million in surpluses. He is also
cited for prudent policy measures that improved MARTA’s bond and credit
ratings, lowered its interest on bond indebtedness and restored the agency’s
cash reserves.
During
Daniels’ board tenure, MARTA celebrated major milestones including re-launching
its popular Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) program, breaking ground on a
massive solar panel installation at the Laredo bus facility in DeKalb County,
and the 2015 addition of much-needed transit service to Clayton County.
While
currently serving as treasurer for the MARTA board, Daniels remains active in
APTA where he is widely known as the “Dean of Transit Board Members.”
Daniels will receive the award at the organization’s annual conference in
Nashville, TN, Sept. 23-26.
A
native of Cleveland, Ohio and a University of Virginia graduate, Daniels
is executive vice president and chief credit officer at Citizens Trust Bank. He
is the married father of two daughters.