Thomas F. Prendergast Nominated to Serve as Chairman and CEO of the MTA

Not apparently related to the Rockland County Prendergast family

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has nominated Thomas F. Prendergast to serve as chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Prendergast has served more than three years as president of MTA New York City Transit, which runs the subway and bus system in New York City, and has served as the MTA Interim Executive Director since January 1, 2013. He replaces Joseph Lhota.

“It is an incredible honor to be nominated to lead the largest transportation network in North America, and to work with Governor Cuomo and his administration on the many challenges facing the MTA,” Prendergast said. “The MTA will improve the customer experience, operate more efficiently and build for the future. And we will aggressively rebuild smarter and better in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. Governor Cuomo has demonstrated his strong support of the MTA in fully funding our capital plan, in allocating additional funding to the MTA in his latest budget, and of course in his leadership during and after Sandy struck. I look forward to working with the governor, his management team, the MTA Board and the 66,000 dedicated employees of the MTA family.”

The Governor’s appointment of an MTA chairman and CEO is subject to Senate confirmation.

The Rockland County Times inquired with Michael Prendergast of the Rockland County Transportation Department and son of former Democratic State Chairman of the same name, if Thomas F. had any familial relation to him. The Rockland-Prendergast said that he was not aware of any relation to the new MTA nominee.

In 2011, the governor’s MTA Search Advisory Committee conducted a national search to find and recommend the most talented candidates to lead the MTA. Prendergast was highly recommended by the Committee, and Committee members were consulted in his nomination that was announced today. The advisory committee was composed of leading public transportation experts and management professionals in the public and private sectors.

  Metropolitan Transportation Authority, MTA, Thomas F. Prendergast