Michael P. Melaniphy
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Public Transportation Association

Michael P. Melaniphy is president and chief executive officer of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). A nationally recognized leader, Melaniphy’s entire career has been in public transportation, with more than 24 years of both public and private sector experience. Always a strong advocate for giving back, he also serves on a number of higher education and non-profit boards.

Previously, Melaniphy served as vice president public sector for the bus manufacturer, Motor Coach Industries, Inc., where he worked for more than 10 years and was responsible for a $250 million division with facilities in the United States and Canada. 

Prior to that, he led public transit systems for 11 years in Charlotte, NC; Wichita, KS; Hamilton, OH; and Laredo, TX.  

Melaniphy’s career began while a student at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, as a bus driver for the university basketball team coached by Bobby Knight. He graduated from Indiana University with a BA in business administration, transportation management, having studied under the legendary transportation professor George Smerk.

He also holds an MBA and a postgraduate MBA Plus in transportation management from Wichita State University in Wichita, KS.