RICHMOND, VA – January 20, 2026
Governor Abigail Spanberger has announced the appointment of Mariia Zimmerman as Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). A nationally recognized transportation leader, Zimmerman has over 30 years of experience across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
“I am excited to welcome Mariia Zimmerman to lead DRPT,” said Secretary of Transportation Nick Donohue. “Her leadership and vision for transportation will help the department deliver innovative, reliable, and accessible solutions for Virginians, ensuring the Commonwealth remains at the forefront of public transit and rail development.”
Zimmerman most recently served as Founder and Principal of MZ Strategies, a Richmond-based planning and policy firm. In that role, she worked with states, regions, and organizations nationwide to advance transit-oriented development and implement transportation projects that improve mobility, access, and community outcomes. Her professional work includes extensive involvement in transportation planning initiatives throughout Virginia.
“I am honored to lead such a talented team and excited to head an agency that connects Virginians to opportunity through affordable transportation options,” Zimmerman said. “I look forward to collaborating across the Commonwealth to strengthen rail and public transportation systems that support vibrant communities and long-term economic growth.”
Zimmerman previously held senior leadership roles at the U.S. Department of Transportation, where she was a member of Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s executive leadership team. She served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy and as Co-Director of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Implementation Team, helping guide the rollout of historic federal investments in rail and public transportation through major discretionary grant programs and policy initiatives led by the Federal Transit Administration, Federal Highway Administration and Federal Railroad Administration.
Earlier in her career, her work spanned housing, transportation, and community development at both the federal and national nonprofit levels. She served as Deputy Director of Sustainable Housing and Communities at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Vice President for Policy at Reconnecting America and the Center for Transit-Oriented Development and co-founded the national nonprofit Transportation for America. Zimmerman began her public service career at the Federal Transit Administration following early work in transportation planning and engineering.
She has contributed her expertise through service on numerous boards and commissions, including the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, the Arlington Transportation Commission, and the Shared Use Mobility Center. Zimmerman has advanced degrees from Pennsylvania State University and the University of Minnesota and has served as a Visiting Fellow with Virginia Tech’s Metropolitan Institute.
As Director, Zimmerman will lead DRPT’s continued efforts to plan, fund, and deliver rail and public transportation initiatives that meet Virginia’s evolving transportation needs. Her appointment reflects a focus on strategic investment, strong partnerships, and forward-looking solutions that position the Commonwealth for long-term success.
|
