Politics on the Hudson

Gov. David Paterson today announced Jay Walder will serve as the CEO of the MTA. Walder is a partner in McKinsey’s London office, where has focused on “large-scale capital investments, public-private partnerships and urban transit,” according to the governor’s news release.

From 1983 to 1995, he served in a variety of positions at the MTA, including executive director and C FO from 1993 to 1995.

From the press release (and there’s even a quote from lieutenant governor in waiting Richard Ravitch, former head of the MTA himself):

“As Chief Executive Officer and Chair, Jay Walder will assume leadership of the MTA at one of the most significant junctures in its history. I am certain that with his breadth of experience and insight, Jay will shepherd the Authority into the 21st century, helping to achieve fiscal solvency as well as greater transparency and public accountability,” Governor Paterson said. “With Jay’s record of ingenuity and his familiarity with global transportation systems, including the MTA, he will bring new life to the organization to better serve all its customers.”

“I applaud the Governor’s selection of Jay Walder and am confident both in his knowledge of our public transit system and in his ability to bring about the forward-looking transformations the MTA will need to better serve the public,” said Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch, Chair of the Commission on MTA Financing and former Chair of the MTA. “Jay is a valuable addition and will aptly address the challenges ahead to secure the Authority’s future.”

“I want to thank Governor Paterson for his confidence in me,” said Mr. Walder. “One of the most rewarding experiences of my career was to serve as part of the MTA’s rebuilding program and the opportunity to return to the city where I grew up and where I spent much of my career is truly special and exciting. I look forward to working each and every day to ensure that the people of this great city have access to a transit system that is safe, efficient and effective.”