Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the nomination of a new MTA chairman, Patrick J. Foye of Nassau County, as well as four new members to the board. The Governor's proposal to reform and fund the MTA included a measure to address the diffused responsibility of the MTA Board by modifying appointments so that all terms align with the appointing elected official's term. Haeda Mihaltses of Queens County and Michael Lynton of Kings County will serve as appointments of Governor Cuomo. Rhonda Herman of Westchester County and Kevin Law of Suffolk County have been recommended by Westchester County and Suffolk County respectively.
"I vowed not to pass a budget without a comprehensive plan to reform the MTA's bureaucracy," Governor Cuomo said. "The MTA needs a board that will oversee and manage the transit system so it can best serve its riders, and this critical component of the MTA reform plan will ensure an unmatched level of accountability that New Yorkers deserve. I thank the outgoing members for their service and commitment to improving our state's transit networks."
Patrick J. Foye
Mr. Foye was named President of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in August 2017, where he has led key innovation and modernization initiatives and supported the day-to-day management of the agency. Previously, he served as an MTA Board Member from 2010 to 2012. Prior to joining the MTA, Mr. Foye led the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as Executive Director for six years, from November 2011 to August 2017, during which time he also served as President of PATH. At the Port Authority, he managed day-to-day operations at the bi-state agency and guided the development of the agency's ten year, $32.2-billion Capital Plan, while overseeing some of the nation's most significant P3 transactions, including the redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport and the building of a new Goethals Bridge.
Mr. Foye also served as Deputy Secretary for Economic Development for Governor Andrew M. Cuomo from February 2011 to November 2011, managing initiatives for economic recovery, investment and job creation, and overseeing the Empire State Development Corporation. Prior to that, Mr. Foye was a Mergers and Acquisitions partner at Skadden Arps and managing partner of the firm's Brussels, Budapest and Moscow offices.
Haeda B. Mihaltses
Ms. Mihaltses, currently the Vice President of External Affairs for the New York Mets, joined the organization in 2014. She is the Mets main liaison with City, State and Federal officials and oversees relations with community stakeholders. Previously, Ms. Mihaltses spent twelve years in Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's administration as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. Prior to joining the Mayor's office, Haeda worked at the New York City Council's Finance Division under Former Speaker Peter F. Vallone, ultimately serving as the City Council's first female Finance Director. In this role, she led budget negotiations between the New York City Council and the Mayor's Office.
Michael Lynton
Mr. Lynton currently serves on the Board of Snap, Inc., Warner Music Group., Pearson, PLC., and Ares Management, L.P. He served as the CEO of Sony Entertainment from April 2012 until February 2017, overseeing Sony's global entertainment businesses, including Sony Music Entertainment, Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Michael also served as Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment since January 2004. Prior to joining Sony Pictures, he worked for Time Warner and served as CEO of AOL Europe, President of AOL International and President of Time Warner International, and earlier served as Chairman and CEO of Pearson plc's Penguin Group where he oversaw the acquisition of Putnam, Inc. and extended the Penguin brand to music and the Internet.
Rhonda Herman
Ms. Herman has served on the Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council since 2008. She currently works at the Internal Revenue Service and has held various management positions in Information Systems, Small Business Self Employed and the Wage & Investment Divisions. She was a Girl Scout Troop Leader for 12 years and Co-president of the White Plains HS PTA. She now serves as Co-Chair of the Senior PTA Scholarship Recognition Program.
Kevin Law
Mr. Law became President and CEO of the Long Island Association, one of the most respected business organizations in New York State, in September 2010. Prior to that, Mr. Law was President and CEO of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), the 2nd largest public utility in the country with over 1.1 million customers. In 2011, Mr. Law was appointed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo as Co-Chair of the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council, a board that is leading the economic development initiatives in the region. Previously, Mr. Law was managing partner of the Long Island office of Nixon Peabody LLP. Mr. Law has served on both the Governor's "Fix NYC" Advisory Panel and the MTA Transportation Reinvention Commission.
