The Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority Retains Krauthamer & Associates for CEO Search
May 14, 2026 – Krauthamer & Associates (K&A) has been retained by the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority to lead in its search for a CEO. The search is expected to take several months. Interim CEO Brent Cagle will continue leading day-to-day operations in the meantime and has been encouraged to apply for the permanent role, according to the board.
MPTA board chair David Howard said the search reflects the organization’s commitment to sound governance during a pivotal moment for the agency.
“As Charlotte Area Transit System transitions to an independent organization, it is the board’s responsibility to ensure we have the right CEO in place,” said Mr. Howard. “Conducting a national search allows us to consider a wide range of qualified candidates while adhering to best governance practices during this transition.”
Officials said no service changes are expected during the search process. The board said it will maintain coordination with Charlotte and other stakeholders as the transition continues.
The Charlotte Area Transit System is the public transportation agency serving Charlotte, NC, and surrounding communities within Mecklenburg County. The system operates local and express bus routes, the LYNX Blue Line light rail service, the CityLYNX Gold Line streetcar, and paratransit transportation for eligible riders. CATS is currently transitioning into the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority, a new independent governing structure intended to oversee transit operations and regional transportation planning in the Charlotte area.
Krauthamer & Associates specializes in identifying, attracting, and recruiting talent for C-suite, board, and senior roles across industries, such as real estate, transportation, aerospace, healthcare, private equity, the public sector, technology, and more.
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Gary Krauthamer, who founded the firm in 1971, has completed more than 1,000 search assignments throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Over the last 30 years, Mr. Krauthamer has worked extensively within and across the public and private sectors. His clients can be found in the aerospace industry, federal government, entrepreneurial organizations, middle-market entities, and large multinational Fortune 100 corporations.
Walker & Dunlop Search
Krauthamer & Associates recently placed Mark Washington as managing director of capital markets, multifamily investment sales, for Walker & Dunlop, Inc. “Our strategy is centered around patience and a long-term commitment to grow our multifamily investment sales platform with best-in-class talent,” said Kris Mikkelsen, executive vice president, co-head of capital markets at Walker & Dunlop. “Mark’s experience and advisory approach align perfectly with ours and we’re excited to have him lead our efforts in the Pacific Northwest. We gained significant market share nationally in 2025, and with Mark leading the charge in a new market for Walker & Dunlop, we’re confident that momentum will continue.”
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Mr. Washington is an institutional-focused broker with experience on both the advisory and principal sides. He has been involved in more than $50 billion in capital markets transactions and has closed approximately $4.5 billion in investment sales, joint venture, and development activity. He specializes in complex investment sale executions and delivering tailored advisory solutions for multifamily owners and investors.
Prior to joining Walker & Dunlop, Washington served as an executive vice president with CBRE’s capital markets team in the Pacific Northwest, where he focused on institutional multifamily investment sales.
Walker & Dunlop is a leader in multifamily property sales, having completed nearly $71 billion in property sales volume since 2021. The firm is also one of the top providers of capital to the U.S. multifamily market. In 2025, Walker & Dunlop originated over $41 billion in debt financing volume, including over $35 billion for multifamily properties.
Related: Krauthamer & Associates Recruits CEO for Santa Cruz Metro
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
