Hakim named MTA's interim executive director

Veronique Hakim has been named interim executive director of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced yesterday.

She'll serve in that role while a seven-person committee conducts a nationwide search for a permanent chair and chief executive officer, according to a press release issued by Cuomo's office. She temporarily succeeds Thomas Prendergast, who today retires as MTA's chairman and CEO.

The search committee includes Prendergast and Joseph Lhota, who served as MTA's chairman and CEO in 2012, according to the press release.

Hakim has spent more than 24 years at the agency, including her most recent stint as president of MTA New York City Transit — a job she's held since December 2015. She also served as executive director of New Jersey Transit.

Fernando Ferrer will serve as acting chairman while the search for a permanent replacement continues.

"[Hakim] is ready to embrace the challenge of running the nation's largest transportation network during this transition," Cuomo said. "She is a true transportation professional who has dedicated her life to improving the commute for millions of New Yorkers and I am confident that in this new role she will continue doing that as we reimagine and modernize the MTA for the 21st century."