In Memoriam: Fran Hooper

Frances “Fran” Hooper, a respected transportation professional and champion for women in public transit, died Sept. 24. 

Hooper began her career in public transportation at Fairfax County, VA, where she managed the county’s budget for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). She later joined WMATA’s own ranks, working in budget and operations, including as assistant superintendent at WMATA’s Bladensburg Division bus garage. 

Her career spanned leadership roles across the U.S., including positions with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and NJ TRANSIT, where she advanced public policy and operational excellence in urban mobility. In 1997, Hooper joined APTA, serving as manager, member support programs; director, member services; and director, business member and commuter rail support services. While at APTA, she acted as staff advisor to the Board of Directors; Business Member Board of Governors; and numerous committees, subcommittees, and working groups. 

Following her retirement from APTA in 2006, Hooper formed Fran Hooper Consulting LLC and remained active in her community as a board member of CvilleRail (Charlottesville Citizens for Better Rail Alternatives), where she brought her deep expertise to bear on local and national rail issues. She also served on the APTA Innovative Funding, Finance, and P3; Business Members; and Mobility Management committees, among others. 

Hooper’s legacy continues through the American Public Transportation Foundation’s (APTF) Fran Hooper Scholarship, which supports undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in rail engineering and public transportation. Please consider donating to her scholarship here.