Obama nominates former MBTA head Scott to NTSB; Shortsleeve named MBTA's chief administrator

President Barack Obama on Tuesday nominated Beverly Scott, the former general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), for membership on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Scott served as the MBTA's GM until April 2015, when she stepped down following severe weather-related service disruptions. She began her stint at the agency in December 2012, and previously served as chief executive officer and general manager of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.

Meanwhile, Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Secretary Stephanie Pollack tapped Brian Shortsleeve to serve as the MBTA’s chief administrator.

Shortsleeve will work alongside the MBTA's Interim General Manager Frank DePaola, newly appointed Chief Operating Officer Jeff Gonneville, and the newly appointed fiscal and management control board, MassDOT officials said in a press release.

"Brian is a proven leader with a successful track record fixing and running complex organizations large and small and his expertise is exactly what is needed to get the job done," said Massachusetts Gov. Charles Baker. "The taxpayers of Massachusetts deserve a transportation system they can rely on and together with the Control Board, our new leadership team at the MBTA can implement the reforms outlined by our panel of experts."

Shortsleeve has almost 20 years of leadership experience in the public and private sectors. Gonneville became acting COO in May and most recently was chief mechanical officer.

Under Baker's reforms for the agency, the MassDOT secretary was given the authority to name the MBTA's new general manager. Following the recommendation of an earlier panel review Baker commissioned, Pollack opted to divide MBTA's leadership into two positions, MassDOT officials said.

The chief administrator will focus on the fiscal health of the organization, while the general manager will work on improving service for customers.