Head of Baltimore’s embattled Department of Transportation to depart

Less than two years into her job, the head of Baltimore’s troubled Department of Transportation is leaving.

Veronica C. Perry, formerly Veronica P. McBeth, a veteran local, state and federal transportation leader, will step down Oct. 1, Mayor Brandon Scott’s office confirmed Wednesday. She has served in the role since January 2025.

Scott’s office did not give a reason for her departure, and Perry couldn’t be reached for comment.

Berke Attila, director of the Department of General Services, will serve as interim director of transportation after Perry’s departure. Terrel Chesson, deputy director of general services, will take the reins there on a temporary basis.

The announcement about Perry comes weeks after Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold said she planned to resign. Former state Del. Tony Bridges will take her place.

Scott previously touted Perry as the transportation leader Baltimore needed to transform operations and modernize infrastructure.

“With a strong knowledge of transportation policy, experience leading transportation initiatives at all levels of government, including right here at the Baltimore City Department of Transportation, and her intentional commitment and focus on equity, Veronica will lead the department into the future,” Scott said in a news release announcing her appointment.

In a Wednesday news release, Scott thanked Perry for her service and leadership.

Hopes were high for Perry, who served as an appointee of then-President Joe Biden when she took the helm of Baltimore’s department. She oversaw multiple federal subagencies as a direct report to former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and managed some of the marquee grant programs created under the Biden administration.

But Perry faced myriad hurdles as she tried to right the ship at Baltimore’s transportation department, which has about 1,000 employees and a $400 million budget.

The department, which controls the city’s streets, sidewalks and parking enforcement, has been plagued by staffing shortages, communication issues and political interference.

Before Perry’s arrival, the department struggled to finish a Broening Highway bridge project critical for the Port of Baltimore. In Perry’s first year at the helm, the department completed just 31% of its paving program for 2025. The City Council has grilled Perry and other department officials about the city’s handling of downed streetlights.

However, Baltimore turned a corner on its controversial deal with Baltimore Gas and Electric under Perry’s watch. In July, the Scott administration announced it was reversing course on a 2023 deal that allowed the utility to profit from improvements it made to the city’s underground utility network. Baltimore will instead charge BGE rent to occupy space in the conduit.

Perry returned to Baltimore in 2025 after previously working for the city from 2014 to 2018. She also spent time with the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Maryland Transit Administration and the Federal Transit Administration.

Banner reporter Daniel Zawodny contributed to this story.