MTA senior adviser Kupferman dies

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) officials last week announced the death of Susan Kupferman following a long illness. She was a senior adviser to the chairman and the agency's former deputy executive director and chief operating officer.

At various times in her career, Kupferman served as MTA's deputy executive director for policy, planning and capital programs; CFO; a member of the MTA's board; president of MTA Bridges and Tunnels; and senior adviser.

"The MTA has lost a true professional in our industry, and her wisdom and counsel will be sorely missed," said MTA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Prendergast in a prepared statement. "Susan brought to the MTA not just her expertise in mass transit, which was substantial, but a clear understanding of the political and social environments in which we operate, making her an invaluable adviser on many different policy issues."

In addition to her MTA service, Kupferman had a long career in statement government. And, while serving as an MTA board member, she was director of the New York City Mayor's Office of Operations, where she managed city governmental operations.

Prior to her appointment in city government, she was the first full-time co-director for the Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management at New York University. While there, she also served as executive director of the National Association of City Transportation Officials.

Kupferman received numerous awards during her career, including Woman of the Year from the WTS Greater New York.