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DeKalb committee approves Sarah Galita for MARTA Board Post 5 after interview
Summary
The DeKalb County Public Works & Infrastructure Committee interviewed and voted to appoint Sarah Galita, vice president of transportation at The Home Depot, to MARTA Board Post 5. She emphasized prioritization of investments, budgeting experience, and outreach to the county if confirmed.
The DeKalb County Public Works & Infrastructure Committee voted to approve Sarah Galitafor Post 5 on the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority board after interviewing her at the committee meeting.
Galita introduced herself to the committee as "Sarah Galita" and said she is vice president of transportation at The Home Depot, where she has worked about 17 years and oversees international and domestic transportation ("it equates to a budget of about $3.88 billion"). She told the panel she has roughly 30 years of supply-chain experience and has overseen large capital investments including distribution centers.
During a round of questions, commissioners pressed Galita on how she would represent DeKalb County priorities, her experience with multi-jurisdictional governing bodies, and how she would approach emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles. Galita said she would ‘‘connect with the county to make sure I understand their priorities,’’ and that her private-sector experience has taught her to prioritize investments that deliver the most value and are feasible to complete. On emerging technology she said safety and adaptation are key priorities and cited recent work on artificial intelligence as an area she would encourage MARTA to explore.
Marcus Allen, staff, briefed the committee on the board composition required by the amended MARTA Act and noted the countymust nominate appointees from specific parts of DeKalb County; Allen said Galita would take the seat previously held by Jim Durant if the appointment is finalized.
After the interview and staff briefing, the committee moved and seconded a motion to approve agenda item 2025-1342; the motion passed by voice/hand vote.
The committee returned several times during the meeting to other business; the appointment vote was taken near the end of the agenda. The item will now move to the next step in the countyconfirmation process, as required by county practice.
