MTA names Lieber chief development officer

Janno Lieber has been appointed chief development officer of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced yesterday.

In the newly created position, Lieber will oversee key capacity-building initiatives, according to a press release issued by Cuomo's office.

Projects that Lieber will manage include Phase II of the Second Avenue Subway, the East Side Access project to bring MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) into Grand Central Terminal, and LIRR's plan to add a third track along its Main Line.

Lieber also will help improve transit-rail access to John F. Kennedy International Airport, MTA officials said.

In addition, he'll oversee the agency's communications-based train control and positive train control initiatives.

Lieber previously served as president of World Trade Center Properties for 14 years.

"Janno Lieber has a proven track record of innovative success managing multibillion dollar projects in the private sector and deep experience in transportation," Cuomo said.

Lieber will begin his new job in late May.