TEAM / Tariq Bokhari
Tariq Bokhari brings national-level experience in public policy, economic development, and emerging technology across local, state, and federal government, as well as the private and nonprofit sectors. His career spans senior executive leadership roles in Washington, D.C., elected office in one of the nation’s fastest-growing metropolitan regions, and innovation-focused leadership within Fortune 500 financial institutions and high-growth ventures.
Most recently, Bokhari served as the Presidentially appointed Acting Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration at the U.S. Department of Transportation. In this role, he led one of the nation’s largest transportation agencies during a period of significant technological and policy change, overseeing federal transit programs impacting thousands of communities nationwide. His leadership emphasized innovation, artificial intelligence, and public-private collaboration to modernize infrastructure, mobility systems, and regulatory approaches.
Prior to his federal service, Bokhari was elected to four terms on the Charlotte City Council. He served as Chair of the Economic Development Committee and Chair of Intergovernmental Relations, working closely with state and federal partners on job creation, infrastructure investment, and regulatory reform. His legislative and economic development efforts helped position Charlotte as a national leader in financial technology, entrepreneurship, and workforce development, creating more than 2,000 technology jobs.
Bokhari is the author of North Carolina’s Regulatory Sandbox legislation, which established the North Carolina Innovation Council and created a structured framework for testing and scaling emerging technologies, including fintech, insurtech, blockchain, and digital assets. Following its enactment, he was appointed by the Speaker of the House to serve on the Innovation Council, contributing to its early implementation and strategic direction.
In the private sector, Bokhari has founded, scaled, and advised organizations focused on innovation and growth. His experience includes serving as Head of Innovation and Investments at FIS Global, as well as senior leadership roles at GE Capital, Wells Fargo, and Wachovia. Across these institutions, he led strategy, operations, technology, enterprise risk, compliance, and cybersecurity initiatives supporting platforms managing more than $1 trillion in assets. He has also founded multiple startup ventures, launched accelerator programs, led acquisitions, and developed first-of-their-kind technology and AI platforms.
He is a graduate of Radford University and resides in Charlotte with his wife, Krista, and their three children.