from staff reports



Former Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith has a new job.

After deciding not to run for a fifth term of office in Meridian, 

Smith has been named President and chief executive officer of Reconnecting America, a national non-profit organization that promotes public transit.

Smith has served on Reconnecting America’s board for five years, and was a founding partner and board member of Reconnecting America’s predecessor organization, the Great American Station Foundation. He has also served Amtrak as both Chairman and as Board member.

Smith will replace former Reconnecting America head Shelley Poticha.

Smith was elected mayor of Meridian in 1993 and chose not to see re- election in 2009.

“I have been involved in transportation on a national level for many years, due to my passion for inner-city and urban revitalization,” Smith said in a written statement. “Transportation touches every aspect of life in cities of all sizes and I am looking forward to working with our nation’s leaders at all levels to incorporate smart urban planning and connections to people across the United States.”

Reconnecting America is based in Oakland, Calif. with offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.