​IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Maryland Department of Transportation Public Affairs
David Broughton, 410-865-1029

​Bruce W. Gartner named MDTA Executive Director

HANOVER, MD (January 11, 2024) – Following a vote earlier this morning by Board Members, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is pleased to announce Bruce W. Gartner will serve as the agency's Executive Director, taking over for Acting Executive Director Percy E. Dangerfield.

“We are pleased to welcome Executive Director Gartner back to the MDTA," said Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld, who also serves as the MDTA's Chairman. “I want to thank Acting Executive Director Dangerfield for jumping into the role and for his tireless commitment to the agency, our employees and our customers. During his more than 25 years of public service, Acting Executive Director Dangerfield has set a strong example of the importance of fostering employee development and an inclusive environment." 

Executive Director Gartner will begin serving officially in his role on January 31, when Acting Executive Director Dangerfield resumes his role as MDTA Chief Administrative Officer. As head of the MDTA, Executive Director Gartner will lead a 1,700 employee agency that finances, constructs, operates, preserves and improve the state's eight toll facilities, including the DriveEzMD Maryland tolling system and the nationally accredited Maryland Transportation Authority Police.

Immediately prior to joining the MDTA, Executive Director Gartner served as the Administrator of the Howard County Office of Transportation. In this role, he was responsible for the planning and development of bicycle and pedestrian facilities and enhancements to the regional transit network. Gartner led Howard County's efforts to develop long-term transportation plans and served as the County Executive's empowered representative on the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB). Previously, he served as the Maryland Transportation Client Account Manager at Jacobs Engineering Group in Baltimore. 

Executive Director Gartner has a long history with the MDTA and the Maryland Department of Transportation. This is his second time serving as Executive Director of the MDTA, having previously held the role from 2013 to 2015. Before that, he served as the Director of Policy & Governmental Affairs and Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy & Freight at the Maryland Department of Transportation. He also served as Director of Strategic Development at the MDTA.