Days after MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak introduced his resignation, a number of names are already being floated for his substitute.
“I do think the general manager job at the MBTA is the hardest job in state government and whoever has that job is going to need to earn back the trust of riders, one ride at a time,” mentioned Chris Dempsey, a former assistant secretary of transportation for Massachusetts who has been talked about in a few of these conversations.
When requested if he was within the job, Dempsey didn’t rule it out, however mentioned that at this second, he’s recovering from “a bruising campaign” in opposition to Diana DiZoglio, who defeated him within the Democratic major for state auditor, and is wanting ahead to his honeymoon on the finish of the month.
“It’s attractive to someone who’s looking for a challenge, that’s for sure, because it’s a very challenging role,” Dempsey mentioned of the $300,000-plus place. “I think a new administration will bring a fresh opportunity and fresh perspective on the MBTA and what it needs.”
Dempsey, the previous director of advocacy group Transportation for Massachusetts, is amongst a handful of names making the rounds as potential candidates for the GM place, which shall be appointed by the subsequent governor, in accordance with a collection of interviews the Herald performed this week.
Dion Stubbs, a retired former MBTA chief working officer who works as basic supervisor of Valley Metro Light Rail in Phoenix, Ariz., has additionally been talked about. In phrases of inside candidates, Deputy General Manager Jeffrey Gonneville can be subsequent in line.
But the title that got here up probably the most was Monica Tibbits-Nutt, a former vice chair of the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board who took over that position when Poftak was elevated to the overall supervisor place in 2019.
Tibbits-Nutt, who didn’t reply to a request for remark, can be a previous member of the MassDOT Board of Directors and is at the moment the chief director of the 128 Business Council, one of many largest transportation suppliers within the state.
MBTA Advisory Board Executive Director Brian Kane mentioned it’s as much as the subsequent governor, by way of whether or not Democrat and frontrunner Maura Healey or Republican Geoff Diehl desires to nominate a GM straight away or have an interim management interval whereas a search is performed.
“If they want to hit the ground running with somebody, if they want Monica, I think she would be able to start very quickly,” Kane mentioned. “The person I hope they at least take a shot at is a guy named Andy Byford. He used to run New York City transit and London transit and he’s back in the U.S.”
When requested about Tibbits-Nutt, TransitMatters Executive Director Jarred Johnson mentioned she introduced experience to the MBTA board, however was additionally an advocate, significantly in getting the T to take bus service extra severely.
“I think she’d be great,” Johnson mentioned. “I think it’s definitely helpful to have some local experience, but still be far enough away from at least the recent troubles.”
Of Dempsey, Johnson mentioned an identical case could possibly be made, that he has expertise with the MBTA, in Massachusetts politics, and may be very in tune with points going through the transit system.
A Healey spokesperson mentioned the marketing campaign had no remark, when requested if a nationwide search can be performed for the subsequent basic supervisor, or if the appointment can be native. The Diehl marketing campaign didn’t reply to a request for remark.
But Stacy Thompson, LivableStreets govt director, mentioned her private choice can be to stay with somebody native.
“I wouldn’t write someone off who isn’t from the Boston area, but it’s valuable to have someone who knows people and who people respect,” she mentioned.
She want to see the subsequent governor take a look at candidates with prior data of the system, who weren’t there “when problems were going on, but still understand the MBTA.”
Thompson cited the issues Pofak’s predecessor, Luis Ramirez, who lasted simply 15 months as basic supervisor earlier than it was “mutually agreed” upon that he ought to go away, encountered after moving into the position as an outsider from Texas.
“He walked in and he didn’t know anyone,” Thompson mentioned. “He didn’t have bad intentions, but it was very hard to get up to speed.”
State Rep. William Straus, who co-chairs the Joint Committee on Transportation, mentioned the subsequent governor must be open to both, however having expertise with Massachusetts does assist.
“Somebody who doesn’t have the experience of dealing with the personalities and the individuals here often does have a harder time,” Straus mentioned. “Certainly I’ve seen that with not Steve Poftak, but the predecessor from Texas who immediately had to get to know people before he could even consider doing the job.”
However, Joseph Aiello, chair of the previous Fiscal and Management Control Board, mentioned he was “agnostic” on the matter. Experience within the transit business and having the ability to navigate the complexities of metro Boston politics is vital, he mentioned, however finally it’s about how a basic supervisor optimizes these qualities.
“There are just people who leap at this opportunity, who are quite good at it,” Aiello mentioned. “Whether that person is local, not local, I will say that the new governor has some good choices before her,” he mentioned.
Straus mentioned he expects a choice shall be made quickly after Tuesday’s election, which might put MassDOT Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler within the distinctive place of appointing a basic supervisor for an administration he’ll possible not be part of.
Poftak’s final day is Jan. 3, two days earlier than the subsequent governor is sworn in.
“The statute makes it clear that it’s the secretary that appoints the general manager, but I think it’s safe to say if there were an appointment announced before Jan. 3 by Secretary Tesler, it would not be done in a vacuum, without the strong input from the next governor,” Straus mentioned.
While quite a few names have been floated, the overall consensus was that the subsequent basic supervisor “should be focused on safety first and foremost,” as state Sen. Brendan Crighton, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation, put it.
However Charlie Chieppo, senior fellow at Pioneer Institute, mentioned the main focus must also be on basic items like fixing a pension system that’s bankrupting the T, however he mentioned that can by no means occur due to political causes and it will “draw the ire of the Carmen’s” and different MBTA unions.
“There’s been a mix of local and real national figures who came in,” Chieppo mentioned. “Who gets this job and who does this job next is important. But just as important is the commitment of elected officials to do the hard job and fix it. That is just where I’m not optimistic.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”