Statement from MARTA General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker
on the passing of Morris Dillard
MARTA mourns the passing of beloved and respected member
of the family, Morris Dillard. From going door-to-door in 1971 to ensure
passage of the first MARTA referendum to eventually serving as Deputy General
Manager, Morris approached his work with a passion and integrity that
influenced every aspect of MARTA from its construction to its management. MARTA
would not have been a successful project if Morris hadn’t been involved at key
times and in key positions. Not one to crave the spotlight, he worked most
ardently behind-the-scenes, handling community issues that arose when the rail
system was being built and providing counsel and advice to the General Manager.
He could get involved on the global stage when necessary, using his mastery of
the French language to help broker a deal for the first order of railcars, and
his diplomacy when assuring members of the ’96 Olympic Committee that MARTA
could efficiently handle the crowd of attendees. Morris’s work with the
communities served by MARTA was just as crucial as that of any engineer or
financial officer and left a customer-focused legacy evident in today’s
transit-oriented developments and expansion projects. Morris loved MARTA and
the communities we serve, and he was loved and admired in return. We extend our
deepest condolences to his wife and family, and his many friends and
colleagues.