Governor Patrick Announces Departure of MassDOT Secretary Richard A. Davey

Calling him a bold leader and a friend who will be missed in the Administration, Governor Deval Patrick on Oct. 10 announced the resignation of MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey, effective Nov. 1.

Governor Patrick also announced his appointment of Highway Administrator Frank DePaola as Acting Secretary and CEO for MassDOT for the remainder of the Governor’s term.

“Rich Davey has been a key member of my team and one of the finest transportation leaders the Commonwealth has ever had.  He has been instrumental in our work to provide every region of this state with a safer, more efficient transportation system, a growing economy and a better quality of life,” said Governor Patrick. “I thank him for his service and wish him every good thing in the future.”

Davey is the longest-serving Transportation Secretary since 1997. Prior to taking the helm at MassDOT in September 2011, Davey served as the General Manager of the MBTA and is the former General Manager of the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail Company, the Commonwealth’s former commuter rail provider.

Under Secretary Davey’s leadership, MassDOT became a more fiscally-responsible, efficient agency. Davey was responsible for continuing implementation of Transportation Reform, merging agencies and eliminating duplication, waste and inefficiency.

Davey oversaw an end to the 23-year practice at MassDOT of paying day-to day-expenses on the state capital budget, freeing up funds for more transportation infrastructure projects. He continued to deliver projects faster than ever before under the Accelerated Bridge Program and other innovative construction techniques that allowed bridges to be replaced in days instead of years.  And he used technology to improve customer service and satisfaction, launching the Go Time real-time traffic system, MBTA countdown clocks and All-Electronic Tolling on the Tobin Bridge.

During his time as Secretary, Davey made it a priority to be always accessible to the public and an avid consumer of the public transit system he oversaw.  The Secretary attended over 100 public meetings, was a prolific user of Twitter and rode the MBTA system an estimated 2,000 times over four years.  He met regularly with transportation advocates and stakeholders and encouraged his staff to do the same.

Davey is departing government to spend time with his wife, travel abroad and explore new career opportunities.

Administrator DePaola, who has successfully led the MassDOT Highway Division since April 2011 will replace Davey. DePaola is a civil engineer who worked for two years as the Assistant General Manager for Design and Construction at the MBTA prior to his appointment. He has vast experience in government and infrastructure, having worked for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, Boston Water and Sewer Commission and Harvard University. He holds an MS in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University and a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth.  DePaola lives in West Bridgewater with his wife.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *