Cuomo taps Foye as MTA chairman

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has named Patrick Foye chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). 

Foye was named MTA president in August 2017 and previously served on the board from 2010 to 2012. Prior to joining the MTA, Foye was executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for six years.

Foye will succeed interim MTA Chairman Fernando Ferrer, who took over after Joe Lhota resigned in November 2018.

Cuomo also announced the nominations of four individuals to the MTA's board. 

Haeda Mihaltses, vice president of external affairs for the New York Mets, and Michael Lynton, former chief executive officer of Sony Entertainment, will serve as Cuomo's board appointments. 

Lynton currently serves on the board of Snap Inc., Warner Music Group., Pearson, PLC, and Ares Management L.P. 

Rhonda Herman of the Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council and Kevin Law, CEO of the Long Island Association, have been recommended for the board by Westchester County and Suffolk County officials, respectively.

Cuomo’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, according to a press release issued by the governor’s office. 

“I vowed not to pass a budget without a comprehensive plan to reform the MTA's bureaucracy," 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."