MassDOT Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack is resigning from her position of six years in order to join President Joe Biden's administration.
Pollack was announced as the new deputy administrator of the Federal Highway Administration on Thursday (January 20), one day after President Biden's inauguration, CBS Boston reports.
Governor Charlie Baker announced Jamey Teslar, who currently serves as registrar of motor vehicles, will take over as acting MassDOT secretary in Pollack's absence. Gov. Baker credited Pollack for facing numerous challenges since taking over as MassDot secretary in 2015, which included a Registry of Motor Vehicles probe that revealed more than 800 drivers had been driving on suspended licenses, specifically one individual who allegedly killed seven motorcyclists.
“Stephanie has led MassDOT through many difficult challenges over the past six years; from the historic blizzards that exposed the problems of the MBTA, through saving the GLX project, instituting a data-driven Capital Improvement Plan, and guiding the RMV through a crisis last summer,” Baker said in a statement obtained by CBS Boston. “She has provided MassDOT with stability and leadership through the last six years, serving longer than her three predecessors combined.”
Pollack studied transportation policy at Northeastern University and had previously worked at the Conservation Law Foundation in Boston prior to accepting a role as MassDOT secretary.
“Massachusetts has become a leader in delivering a transportation system that puts people first and provides them with safer and better choices for walking, biking, using transit, or driving and I am confident that Jamey will be able to continue that good work,” Pollack said in a statement.
Tesler has previously served multiple roles at MassDOT including chief operating officer, chief of staff and assistant secretary for procurement.
The Biden administration already has multiple ties to the state of Bay State, which includes Massachusetts native Jen O'Malley Dillon, who will serve as deputy chief of staff; Massachusetts General Hospital chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Harvard Medical school professor Dr. Rochelle Walensky, who will lead the administration's COVID-19 response; and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, who was introduced as the administration's labor secretary nominee earlier this month.
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