Simpson sworn in as federal transit administrator

Acting U.S. Transportation Secretary Maria Cino recently announced that James S. Simpson has been sworn in as the federal transit administrator after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Prior to joining the Department, Simpson served for 10 years on the New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), where he also served as chairman of the Safety and Security Committee and chairman of the Planning and Real Estate Committee.

Following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, he was designated the primary MTA Board liaison to the Governor's and Mayor's offices to help coordinate MTA's role at the World Trade Center site.

In November 2005, President George W. Bush appointed and the U.S. Senate confirmed Simpson to the St. Lawrence Seaway Advisory Board where he also served as chairman.

Simpson began his career in transportation over 30 years ago as a tractor-trailer driver while attending college, and went on to own his own domestic and international moving and storage company.

He is a graduate of St. John's University, a 1995 Alumni of the Rockefeller Fellowship Program and a British American Fellow. He also has served in leadership positions on numerous non-profit boards.