Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe recently appointed MARTA GM/CEO Keith T. Parker, AICP to the Boards of Visitors at Virginia Commonwealth University.
 
“Virginia’s economic future runs through our colleges and universities, and the leaders I appointed to [various] boards of visitors this year understand the imperative to strengthen our academic institutions and make them more accessible to students from all walks of life,” Gov. McAuliffe said in a prepared statement.
 
Parker, a Virginia native, earned a master’s degree in urban and regional planning and a bachelor’s degree in political science from VCU. In 2015, he received the prestigious "Alumni Star" award from VCU. Parker also holds a master of business administration from the University of Richmond.
 
“I am deeply humbled to have been asked by Gov. McAuliffe to serve Virginia Commonwealth University in this capacity,” MARTA GM/CEO Keith Parker said. “I look forward to collaborating with my fellow board members to ensure that students are able to have the meaningful educational experience that I had.”
 
Gov. McAuliffe charged the board members to use their knowledge and experience to foster innovation at their institutions, to keep the burden of tuition as low as possible, and to emphasize access and completion for every student.

Earlier this year, President Barack Obama appointed Parker to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council. In addition, Parker was chosen as the 2015 Outstanding Public Transportation Manager by the American Public Transportation Association. Parker also serves on other local and national boards, including the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, the American Public Transportation Association, Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Goodwill Industries.