Cuomo Taps MTA Construction Chief Janno Lieber to be MTA's Acting Chairman and CEO

     Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that Janno Lieber will serve not only as the CEO, but as the acting board chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), as New York City Transit Interim President Sarah Feinberg's nomination as board chair awaits approval from the state Senate.

     Lieber currently serves as the president of MTA Construction and Development, which is an 1,800-person organization he built from the ground-up.

     On July 31, Lieber, who successfully managed the on-time and on-budget completion of the L Train Tunnel Project and the Long Island Rail Road Double Track, will begin his new role as the MTA’s CEO, which was a role that included serving as the MTA’s board chair, before the New York Assembly passed legislation would separate the two roles into two jobs performed by two different people.

    “At this critical time in state history, I believe the best long-term approach to leading the MTA would be to have two strong, experienced leaders at the helm: Sarah Feinberg as the first woman chair and Janno Lieber as CEO,” Gov. Cuomo said. “While the [state] Senate has yet to act, the MTA nominees and leaders continue to be available for policy discussions and confirmation hearings, as they have been since the legislation was introduced nearly two months ago."

     "As we wait for the State Senate to return to session, the Governor, Janno and I agree that this is the best path forward to provide stability and continuity of leadership at the MTA,” said Feinberg.

     "I am excited to get to work leading the MTA's continued recovery from the pandemic, though I am disappointed I won't yet be working alongside my supremely qualified friend Sarah Feinberg,” Lieber said.

    Patrick Foye, who has led the agency as president, chairman, and CEO for the past four years, will leave the agency on July 30.

    Foye is expected to later step into a new role as the interim president and CEO of Empire State Development.

    "Our public transportation systems will be the backbone of New York's comeback as more and more people return to work in-person," Gov. Cuomo said in a statement.

 (Photo by: Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)